55+ Social Media at Work Statistics & Trends [2024]

Do you use social media at work, or have you observed your colleagues checking their notifications all the time while working?

Well, you and your colleagues are not alone. 89% of the employees reported wasting time on social media during working hours.

Haven’t this social media usage at work made you curious to know – 

• Why do employees use social media at work? 
• Isn’t it affecting their career?
• What do employers say about this? 
• Are employers okay with paying staff for using social media, or do they have issues? 

If yes, you won’t want to miss the following “social media at work statistics.” Wondering “Why?” Because these stats will answer all your questions. 

So let’s dive in – 

Social Media Usage at Work Statistics

1. 89% of employees admit to wasting time on social media during work hours. ^[1]
2. 98% of employees engage in social media for personal reasons. Among these, 50% have posted about their job or employer online. ^[2] 
3. About 75% of employees use at least one type of social media during work hours. ^[3] 
4. The use of social media at work has increased by over 462% in the last four years. ^[3]
5. 56% of workers believe using social media at work can enhance productivity. ^[5]
6. 79% of the employees think that staff should be free to use social media in a regulated manner during office hours.
7. 40% of the employees use social media throughout the day. ^[6]

Which Social Media Platforms Do Employees Use at Work? 

Facebook emerged as the most widely used social media platform for work-related purposes, with 19% of people using it. [5] 

For How Long Do Employees Use Social Media? 

Employees spend an average of 32% of their total internet time on social media during work hours. [7]

Why do Employees Use Social Media at Work? 

Employees often use social media at work for various reasons. 

The top three include taking a mental break from work (34%), connecting with loved ones during work hours (27%), and supporting professional connections (24%).

Other common reasons include – 

1. Searching for information to solve job-related problems (20%), 
2. Strengthening relationships with co-workers (17%), 
3. Gathering more details about colleagues (17%), 
4. Asking work-related questions to people inside and outside the company (12%). [5]

Benefits of Social Media at Work Statistics

1. Among workers aged 18 to 29, approximately 23% mentioned finding information on social media that positively influenced their opinions about their colleagues. ^[5]
2. Even with social media policies, 30% of business employees use social media to cope with work-related stress. Surprisingly, almost 40% of staff in companies without such regulations also engage with various social media platforms during work hours. ^[5] 
3. 56% of workers believe using social media at work can enhance productivity. ^[5]
4. 82% of employees believe that social media enhances their professional relationships. ^[8]
5. 60% of staff think that social media aids in their decision-making process. ^[2] 
6. 52.7% of participants believed that social media use in the workplace enhances work efficiency. ^[9] 
7. 54% of respondents state that social media helps them recharge at work. ^[5] 

How Does Social Media at Work Help in Communication? 

44% of CEOs leverage social media to communicate with both employees and customers.

75% of employees are connected with their co-workers on social media platforms.

According to a 2020 study, 80.4% of participants reported that using social media at work contributed positively to two-way communication.

However, in the same study, 50.3% felt that social media use did not improve communication between employers and employees. 

Disadvantages of Using Social Media at Work Stats

22% of employees feel that using social media negatively affects their overall work performance.

56% of employees who use social media for work feel that it distracts them from their daily professional duties.

51% of employees actively using social media for work state that it provides too much information about their co-workers. However, 47% disagree with this statement.

In a 2020 study, 49% of participants disagreed with the idea that social media in the workplace improves work performance. [9] 

Social media distractions at work reportedly cost U.S. businesses approximately $650 billion annually.

13% of productivity is lost due to social media usage at work.

10% of employees believe that the use of social media during work hours leads to stress/anxiety/and other psychological issues. 

Employers and Social Media at Work Stats

1. 70% of companies have taken disciplinary measures against employees for inappropriate social media use. 
2. Around 60% of employers now monitor social media activities in the workplace.
3. 77% of U.S. small businesses leverage social media for marketing, sales, and customer engagement.
4. 53% of American employers conduct annual social media research on their employees.
5. 51% of employees report that their company has established rules on social media use.
6. 36% of employers block social media usage during business hours, indicating a 7% increase since 2012.

Social Media Role in Job Search and Recruitment

1. 70% of employers use social media to screen candidates before hiring.
2. According to a study, 70% of employers have found the right candidates through social media.
3. In 2018, 73% of millennials secured their last job through social media.
4. 84% of organizations use social media for recruitment purposes, and 9% plan to do so in the future.
5. 77% of companies use social media to reduce recruitment costs.

Related stats 

1. The average internet user spends 151 minutes each day on social media.
2. 84% of individuals aged 18 to 29 report using some form of social media platform.
3. Men exhibit higher rates of social media addiction, with 49.6%, compared to 32% of women.
4. 67% of professionals utilize LinkedIn for networking and job search purposes.
5. 78% of employees using social media for work find it valuable for discovering new professional opportunities and networking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Social Media Ban at the Workplace Increasing? 

No. It is decreasing. The percentage of organizations banning social media usage has declined by 10%.

Should There be Any Social Media Usage at Work Policies?

Around 80% of the staff felt the need for a policy regarding social media use at the workplace.

Is Social Media Usage for Work the Same Worldwide? 

No. Worldwide, 40% of individuals use social media for work.

Only 27% of people in the United States, 47% in India, 31% in Canada, and 30% in Australia actively use social media for work purposes.

How Does Social Media at Work Impact Employment Choices? 

51% of millennials consider social media usage a factor in accepting a job offer.

Do Workplace Policies Stop Employees from Using Social media?

77% of staff use social media platforms at work, regardless of whether there is any policy about social media usage.

Does Social Media Use at Work Badly Impact Employees’ Retention?  

Well, you can say that. According to a 2018 study, 76% of employees using social media came across other organizations they were interested in working for.

This tells that the use of social media at work could potentially have a negative impact on employee retention.

Closing Thoughts…

Social Media has now become an inseparable part of our professional lives. 

40% feel that it helps them relieve work stress, but 56% think it distracts them from fulfilling their duties.

You see, social media usage at work has pros and cons. Despite workplace policies, employees continue using social media. 

So now, how it is used is all up to employees. 

Sources

1. How much time do employees spend on social media? 
2. Social Media in the Workplace: Everything You Need To Know.
3. Essential Social Media At Work Statistics in 2023
4. Social Media in the Workplace: What Every Executive Should Know.
5. Social Media and the Workplace
6. The use of social media at work place and its influence on the productivity of the employees in the era of Covid-19.
7. Employees spend over 32% of their time on social media daily for personal works: Study
8. Employees who use social media for work are more engaged – but also more likely to leave their jobs.
9. 30 Surprising Social Media at Work Statistics [2023]: What Every Manager Should Know 
10. Social Media in the Workplace Around the World 3.0
11. 77% of U.S. Small Businesses Use Social Media for Sales, Marketing and Customer Service
12. Workplace Distractions Statistics & Trends [2023] Update
13. Number of Employers Using Social Media to Screen Candidates at All-Time High, Finds Latest CareerBuilder Study
14. Social Media Recruiting Statistics for 2023: How Effective is Social Media for Hiring? 
15. Essential Elements To build A Robust Social Media Recruitment Strategy
16. Daily Time Spent on Social Networking by Internet Users Worldwide from 2012 to 2023
17. Gender Variations in Social Media Usage and Academic Performance Among the Students of University of Sharjah

Alison Adams

Alison Adams, a Philly native and proud University of Pennsylvania alum, is your go-to Career Expert with a laid-back approach. She’s been in the job seeker’s shoes and knows how to navigate the wild world of work. Alison’s all about sharing practical tips and tricks with a personal touch, making her a favorite for those looking to level up their careers.

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