HR staff must embrace social networking, says report

HR professionals are not taking advantage of Web 2.0, according to a report by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

The CIPD says worries about misuse and employee bad behaviour are creating a "Facebook fear factor" which companies need to overcome if they are to gain the benefits of the new technology.

The report, Web 2.0 and HR management: groundswell or hype? gives HR professionals ideas for web-based content that could help them attract the best talent and make the medium work for them.

The CIPD warned HR departments could be left playing catch up as the Web 2.0 bandwagon moves forward without them on it. Employees will increasingly expect to be able to use different forms of social networking at work, and HR staff will need to come up with "sensible policies" that don't just involve banning things like Facebook outright.

Workplaces using social networking innovatively include T-Mobile, the Royal Opera House and the NHS.

Vanessa Robinson, CIPD adviser, organisation and resourcing, said, "Web 2.0 provides employees with new tools for collaboration and knowledge-sharing. Its open, democratic nature, however, has meant that many HR professionals are focusing on the negative side, which is a shame as Web 2.0 is here to stay."