Aktum nr 4 - Umeå universitet

engLish page
Social media while at work?
The use of social media is
growing rapidly. An estimated
four million people
in Sweden have a Facebook
account alone. But how
should one engage in social
media during work hours
– can one update their
status on the job?
There is a hot topic of debate in many circles
about whether or not employees can use social
media during work time. There are employers
that prohibit its staff members from logging on
while at work and others that actually encourages
activity on sites such as Facebook. Umeå
Become a Fan of Umeå University on Facebook:
Words froM
the vice-chanceLLor
I would like to begin by thanking
you for the wonderful reception I
have received – it both warms and
inspires. There is a dynamic and energy
among the university’s staff
and students that I consider essential
now, as we move forward together
to advance the university’s
position one step further, which is
imperative in today’s global competitive
market.
The introduction of my period as
vice-chancellor has been anything
but calm. I have had many interesting
and important meetings within
and outside the university. I now
22 Aktum • Oktober • 4/2010
University has no policy on how employees
should interact in social media platforms during
work hours.
“This is mainly a common sense issue, and
can be compared with telephone usage during
work time. You can call and make a doctor’s
appointment, but you don’t keep in touch with
all of your family and friends,” says University
Director Lars Lustig.
He implies that the university management
trusts each employee’s own responsibility and
does not feel need to restrict the use of social
media in the current situation.
Upholding freedom
of speech and expression
Lars Lustig also points out that one should always
safeguard freedom of speech and may
never, as an employer, attempt to influence
look forward to begin visiting the departments
along with the other members of the
university management. The goal is that we
will have visited and had a dialogue with all
the departments before the summer.
The question that many ask is in which
direction I intend to lead Umeå University.
In my opinion, and others’, Göran Sandberg
has done a fantastic job. I will work to ensure
that the investments he has initiated
together with contributors are carried
through. The introduction of career grants
for young researchers and undertaking of
areas of excellence in research are instruments
needed to achieve the development
that I believe is so essential.
It is of foremost importance for the continued
development of the university that
we can provide our employees with good
conditions in this highly competitive international
market. We need to establish a
service framework so that our researchers,
teachers and other staff members want to
stay here, but that also makes the university
an attractive place to work, far beyond
the country’s borders. The Swedish service
model creates unnecessary tension between
our primary mission, education and
research, and the increasingly important
what employees express. However, he notes
that one needs to be mindful of whether they
speak as a representative of Umeå University
or as a private person.
“It can be somewhat similar to newspaper
letters to the editor,” continues Lars Lustig.
“We in positions of leadership can never separate
our private roles and our public roles as
representatives of Umeå University, and that’s
important to consider.”
He also acknowledges that he and many
others have not kept pace with the rapid development
of social media.
“It was almost an unknown concept for me
a few years ago. Things are constantly evolving
in this area and new ethical issues to consider
may arise. Therefore, I think it’s important to
have ethical discussions about these issues out
in our workplaces,” adds Lars Lustig.
Text: Anette Olofsson/David Meyers
task: the utilisation of research findings and
innovation development.
Naturally, each and every one of us cannot
be expected to be the most prominent
researcher, the most committed teacher,
the most successful entrepreneur, or a
good communicator and administrator. But
creative environments are produced when
different abilities are recognised and allowed
to develop in the best possible harmony.
All parties benefit when we further
develop our education, research and innovation
environments into creative environments.
Such environments develop us to
become an attractive partner, both regionally
and internationally, and also give students
an opportunity to expand their networks,
something that leads them faster
into the job market.
In order for us to succeed, I am convinced
that the university as a whole must
be developed for the benefit of the individual
parts. This also includes the power of
having, and using, the broad expertise that
spans both faculty and disciplinary boundaries.
To achieve this, priorities and risktaking
will be required, but also ambition,
courage and a wise leadership at all levels.
Lena Gustafsson, Vice-Chancellor