The advent of new forms of communication technology and associated social media have benefited organizations and their employees in many ways, but they have also led to an assortment of problems and conflicts. Several themes are apparent in the scenarios presented in this exercise. For one thing, contemporary communication media have blurred the distinction between the work and non-work domains. Second, the scenarios suggest communication contradictions—Facebook postings could be grounds for firing, but the medium can also facilitate work related communication. Third, much contemporary communication occurs in a context in which one is not sure just who the receiver might be. The exercise can be conducted in several ways: Students can independently prepare their reflections on the scenarios for class discussion. Alternatively, learning teams can discuss one or more scenarios and report their reflections to the class. Finally, the instructor might organize a debate around each scenario. In any case, use your imagination when reflecting on the scenarios. How would you feel if you were an employee in the scenario? How would you feel if you were a manager?

Writer Bob Green puts it succinctly: In the days before cellphones, would an employer permit an employee to install a personal land line in the office to make personal calls at will? Certainly not, but the advent of cellphones has effectively led to an analogous situation. Green recounts a series of complaints from store managers, restaurant proprietors, and factory bosses, some of whom have instituted no-cell policies. Especially worrisome are reports of extensive cell use by hospital staff, even in the operating room. Of course, as Green notes, some of these same employers see nothing unusual about texting or calling employees after work hours or on the weekend, expecting 24-7 responses. How big of an issue is this? Should personal cellphone use at work be prohibited or restricted in any way?