@WORK

Inside this issue

Welcome New Steward .............. 2

NASA Fall General Meeting ......... 3

Benefits Information ................... 3

Support Staff Research Enhancement Award .................. 3

Think Before You Post

We have all witnessed the growing popularity of social media and

its use today. It is used in a wide variety of ways and has become

so common we often do not understand the boundaries of its use.

What is social media? It is “the use of the internet to post or

publish information and/or to participate in discussions.” This

includes everything from websites, social networks, (like Facebook,

Twitter), online forums, chatrooms, listservs, blogs, wikis, photos,

videos (even YouTube) and audio file-sharing sites, virtual worlds,

Linkedin and on and on.

Workplaces do find some benefits in the use of social media.

Organizations often use social media as a way to quickly and

effectively provide information to people. It can be used to

establish and maintain networks and relationships with both

employees and clients. It can be used as a recruitment tool and, if

used effectively, can even help to improve morale.

However, there are risks to employees themselves who often use

social media and it is important to understand what the

boundaries are.

Use of time at work is a concern regarding unauthorized social

media use. While at work, updating personal Twitter and Facebook

accounts or writing blogs can be considered theft of time if you

aren’t doing this while on break or lunch. It wouldn’t matter if you (Continued on page 2)

October 2012 Volume 1, Issue 3

were using a personal device (such as your smart phone) or

not. The expectation is that you are paid to be working while

at work.

The content of your updates, posts and blogs can have lasting impacts on your employment as well. Employers often monitor social media sites to see what is being said about them. Although you may feel your updates are private, they really are not. What you say can hurt your employment relationship and it doesn’t matter when or where you say it from (at work or at home. 6:00 a.m. or 11:00 p.m.).

Identifying your employer or a co-worker in your posts has the potential to negatively impact your relationships at work. You

can hurt your employer’s reputation and inadvertently share important details about their business you wouldn’t ordinarily have any authority in the workplace to do. Talking badly about a supervisor or coworker in these posts can affect your relationship with them. Saying something about them online in a public forum is deemed to be just as bad as talking about them negatively at work. It’s really no different than sharing gossip or spreading rumors.

Employers have been successful in disciplining employees for material and content posted in social media forums. How can this be? Arbitrators have determined that people really should have no serious expectation of privacy with respect to Facebook (and other) posts. With Facebook, you can update your status but you may be ‘friends’ with many of your co-workers. They see your post, then they may comment on your post, then their friends see their comment on your post and so on. Ultimately the information in your post has spread like gossip would. Arbitrators have suggested that although a person has a right to create personal blogs and is entitled to her opinions about the people with whom she works, publicly displaying those opinions may have consequences within an employment relationship. Posts may be considered serious insubordination and Facebook posts may lead to proper cause for discipline.

You need to consider what you are posting, how it may be perceived and what the consequences to your post could be. Be careful how you conduct and present yourself online. Think before you post!

(Continued from page 1)

Think Before You Post

P AGE 2

New NASA Steward

NASA would like to welcome Alanna Collicutt as our new

steward. Alanna works at AICT.

To see a complete list of all the NASA stewards, go to the

NASA website - http://www.nasa.ualberta.ca/stewards

P AGE 3

Information For All Benefitted Support Staff

As a follow up to last month’s communication from the Support Staff Benefits Committee, please take note of the deadline for applying for Optional Dependent Life. Your form must be submitted to Pension and Benefits at Human Resources by October 31, 2012.

NASA will be holding its Fall General Meeting at noon on Tuesday, November 13. Location is Dinwoodie Lounge, Students’ Union Building. Watch for additional information coming soon.

NASA Fall General Meeting

Support Staff Research Enhancement Award

The Support Staff Research Enhancement Award recognizes support staff who consistently make a positive contribution to the research success of their Unit/Faculty/Department at the University. This contribution includes providing outstanding service, fostering innovation creating a positive influence in the workplace, and demonstrating leadership qualities.

Awards were presented at Celebrate! Teaching Learning Research on September 27, 2012.

Nominees

Jamie Boisvenue, Pediatrics Monika Dabrowska, Biochemistry Mary De Pauw, Biological Sciences Valerie Drostle, Educational Policy Studies* Alex Game, Physical Education and Recreation Christine Hereygers, Civil and Environmental Engineering Charlene Nielsen, Biological Sciences Nicole Oliver, Health Sciences Laboratory Animal Services* Najeh Rekik, Chemistry Nina Sobreira, Neurology Bailey Sousa, Nursing Mina Truong, Educational Psychology Rick Watts, Women & Children’s Health Research Institute *denotes 2012 winners

It’s Flu Clinic Time!

Free campus influenza vaccination clinics will be held for all staff and students starting October 31. For more information, visit http://www.uhc.ualberta.ca/Flu%20Clinics.aspx

CAMPUS MAIL

NASA

Our University Works Because We Do!

1200 College Plaza

8215 - 112 Street

Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E1

NASA

@ WORK is published monthly

cupe1158ds

Phone: 780-439-3181

1-877-439-3111

Email: nasa@ualberta.ca

http://www.nasa.ualberta.ca/

Editor: Deborah Stewart

NASA Executive

Russell Eccles, President

(2012 – 2014)

Heather Green, Vice-President

(2011 – 2013)

Tanya Martelle, Treasurer

(2012 – 2014)

Leonard Wampler, Secretary

(2012 – 2014)

Lilian Campbell, Bylaws Chair

(2011 – 2013)

Donna Coombs-Montrose,

Membership Chair (2011 – 2013)

Rita John, Grievance Chair

(2012 – 2014)

Carl Kolotylo, Reps Council Chair

(2011 – 2013)

Bylaws Review Project -

http://www.nasa.ualberta.ca/current-topics

Steward Recruitment -

http://www.nasa.ualberta.ca/steward-recruitment

Check NASA’s website for NEW information!