More than half of HR/learning and development professionals cite LinkedIn as their most used social networking site, according to a recent study by ETS of senior HR professionals.  Facebook, Twitter and Yammer are also widely visited.

 

It is accepted that social technologies are commonly used for recruitment.  However, social media are increasingly being used for other HR activities.   

 

HR professionals are now using LinkedIn for learning and development, networking, and developing culture and communication within their company.

 

However, has this gone too far?

 

The industry analyst Gartner predicts that social media will overtake email in business communications.  However, it seems that HR professionals are now using LinkedIn for even more activities – both personal and work related. 

 

Will online interactions overtake face-to-face HR activities and communication channels?  Is HR losing its ‘human’ element with the advent of social media?

 

While technology can make HR engaging and accessible, we still need to maintain face-to-face contact.