Sixty percent of executives say they have a right to know how employees portray themselves and their organizations in online social networks, but most employees disagree, according to a survey by Deloitte LLP.

The survey found that 53 percent of employees say their social networking pages are not an employer's concern. Young workers are more likely to say this, with 63 percent of 18–34 year old respondents stating employers have no business monitoring their online activity.

“With the explosive growth of online social networks, such as Facebook and Twitter, rapidly blurring the lines between professional and private lives, these virtual communities have increased the potential of reputational risk for many organizations and their brands,” said Sharon Allen, chairman of the board, Deloitte LLP. 

Only 17 percent of executives said they have programs in place to monitor and mitigate the possible risks related to the use of social networks.

“While the decision to post videos, pictures, thoughts, experiences and observations is personal, a single act can create far reaching ethical consequences for individuals as well as employers,” Allen says. “Therefore, it is important for executives to be mindful of the implications of this connected world and to elevate the discussion about the risks associated with it to the highest levels of leadership.”

Allen notes that the survey found that one-third of employees say they never consider what their boss or customers might think before posting material online,

“This fact alone reinforces how vulnerable brands are as a result of the increased use of social networks,” Allen says. A:s business leaders, it is critical that we continue to foster solid values-based cultures that encourage employees to behave ethically regardless of the venue.”

The survey included more than 2,000 respondents.