Work Ethics 101: 'Is it OK for me to spend time on social media while at work?'

 Reuters

Everybody probably has a social media account now, whether it be on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or many others that exist. These social media websites are not evil in themselves, but usage of these should be kept in proper perspective: We should only use them when appropriate.

Social media times

Facebook and all social media platforms aren't bad in themselves. They're very useful in maintaining communication with family and friends. However, when we stay logged in for the most part of our days, we tend to get derailed from what we're supposed to do. As such, we should avoid logging on to and checking in while we're at work – unless your work is that of a company social media accounts manager, where your work is to log in and maintain your group's accounts.

And of course, not all of us get to do that.

Paid to work, not to goof around

Let's all remember that we were hired to work, and we are paid for our work outputs. When our job requires us to be on the desk working on papers, let's work on papers. When our job requires us to hold that mop, let's hold that mop. Break times are coming anyway, so let those social media posts wait.

Integrity is a must. Paul reminds us in Colossians 3:22-3, "Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord. Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people."

God is our Master

Let's be honest. Many of us spend time, no matter how little, to peek into our social media accounts while we're on the job. This shouldn't be, because our boss isn't just that man or woman inside that glass-enclosed room labeled "manager" or "Chief Executive Officer," but rather our boss is ultimately God who watches over us.

Colossians 3:24-25 gives us a sobering reminder:

"Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favourites."

A time for everything

Ecclesiastes 3 tells us that "For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven" (Eccl. 3:1). This includes our sleep, meals, family, personal hygiene and relaxation times. We should learn to put everything in order so that we will be able to redeem the time, just like the apostle Paul said in Ephesians 5:16.

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