As when you are about to post an unflattering comment to your friends on your preferred social networking site. Such behavior in person in real time would bring down the swift (and statistically right-handed) smack of correction.

The way we communicate today — both favorably and unfavorably— increasingly occurs online. Public, permanent and normally one dimensional, a single post or comment can lift up or destroy reputations in a matter of a few keystrokes. The headlines noting social media misuse — including bullying, false postings and harassment contributing to serious angst and, in some extreme cases, to suicide — raise our collective concern.

So, as an employer, if you want to address the potential risks and ensure your employees are engaging in socially appropriate behavior online both at work and off-duty, what are the rules that apply?

Since the use of social media is a relatively new phenomenon, and since the applicable rules are still being developed, we offer a few suggestions to provide some guidance to both employers and employees.

If you are an employer...