The use of social media has exploded, raising numerous questions about the boundaries of the employment relationship.

Young people with a different IT knowledge and culture are continually joining the workforce, flexibility in working is escalating and it is becoming increasingly difficult to assess where ones obligation to an employer ends and your private life begins.

A total ban on the use of social media in the workplace is unrealistic so if one accepts that it will be used and that disciplinary issues may arise it goes without saying that rules of engagement need to be drawn up and employers should adopt a clear social media policy. With case law on the subject limited this is essential. Issues one may consider for clarification include;

• Employees who may act inappropriately “outside the office”
• Employees who criticise their employers online
• Bullying and harrassment through the use of social media
• Where employees dispute involvement – how do you prove accountability
• Treating employees consistently
• How do data privacy laws and human rights impact on the issue.
• If you have any queries on this blog, or require some practical tips on how to approach or what to include in a comprehensive social media policy contact us at Stripes Solicitors for help and guidance.

Scheduled to come into effect early in 2012, the Localism Bill appears to be quietly under most peoples radar. However, this Bill contains an array of far reaching legislative changes. It is the coalition Government’s main initiative to decentralise power and give new rights to Local Government, Parish Councils and Local Community Groups. Amongst other things this Bill will radically change the current planning system giving local communities the ability to shape the development of their surroundings.

“Local plans” developed by parish councils, neighbourhood and community groups will create local planning rules. These will be voted on in local referendums. Subject to meeting certain safeguards and getting the votes of 50 percent of the community in a local referendum, communities will also get a “right to build” that enables them to authorise development without planning permission.

In addition to decentralising power, the object of these changes is to reduce beaurocracy and, to this end, new local plans will be shielded from intervention from above – the Planning Inspectorate will only judge whether plans are “sound,” and suggest changes if the local authority requests them.

It is essential to be aware of these proposed changes to the planning system. They will be upon us very soon and will undoubtedly change the way a developer needs to approach a potential new development. Even a large -scale developer will be forced to consult local people before submitting planning applications, enabling early-stage input.

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