Businesses are in a precarious situation when it comes to social media. On one hand, it provides a practical and invaluable resource for feedback and interaction. On the other hand, it may be a platform that puts the company in a vulnerable position if employees have any inappropriate social media behavior.

Indeed, on more than one occasion, people have been reported to their employers for untoward behavior on social media. While the ethics of this practice remains questionable, businesses should at least have guidelines in place to warn their employees about what the company considers acceptable online.

Below, eight members of Forbes Human Resources Council discuss the essential tips and features any social media guidelines for employees should take into consideration.

1. Keep Work And Personal Accounts Separate

This seems like such an ever-changing area. As others have mentioned, we encourage people to keep work and their personal life separate. If they make any product related posts, let people know that they work for us. We are very careful to follow NLRA rules regarding concerted activity. This type of policy must be evaluated annually to keep up with changes. - Erin ImHof, Circadence

2. Reflect Mission, Values And Culture

Messaging on social media should reflect your mission, values and culture. Enforce a zero-tolerance policy for cyberbullying, manage the comments daily on your professional account and encourage employees to think before they post. An alternative is to encourage employees to set their personal accounts to a private setting. - Leigh Yanocha, Knopman Marks Financial Training

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3. Convey Positive Messages

The simplest rule for everyone to follow regarding social media etiquette is to make sure every post conveys a positive message. Though some employees believe they have the right to post whatever they choose on their own pages, anything negative or controversial can reflect poorly on the company. By maintaining a positive tone on social media, companies and employees can avoid resulting backlash. - John Feldmann, Insperity

4. Be Clear About What You'll Stand For

Be clear about what your brand and culture stand for and what it won’t. Do this all the time and not just on social channels. Employees who have clarity around your organizations’ beliefs and views are more likely to share in a way that reflects who you are, assuming they share similar beliefs. If they don’t, consider it good to know. - Keri Higgins Bigelow, LivingHR, Inc.

5. Prioritize Diversity In Messaging

Considering diversity on your company page is an important issue that marketing teams may overlook. If diversity is a key value, then it should be ensured that it's reflected on social media. This isn't just about images or language but making sure that speaking engagements, webinars, and any other projects include a diverse range of participants. - Karla Reffold, Orpheus Cyber

6. Leverage Common Sense And Good Judgment

Common sense and good judgment should always prevail. On your company social media pages, you can easily control what and how you present the brand. But employers can't police every employee's social feed, nor should they. Every organization should have a code of conduct policy and if someone violates it—wherever they are, virtually or otherwise—they might be disciplined. Don't overthink it! - Tracy Cote, StockX

7. Aim To Reflect Different Experiences

Remember that your employees and customers all have diverse and different lived experiences and that posts should be considered in this light. You should consider how anyone reading the post would take it. Make sure to only post things that would be seen in a universally positive light. - Alex Pantich, Upshift

8. Make Sure They'd Be Proud Of Each Post

Our suggestion to folks when thinking about how and what to post on social media while representing the company is, if you would be proud of your post being on the front page of the newspaper for everyone to read, then it's likely OK. If not, then consider amending it or not putting it out there altogether. - Jessica Adams, Brad's Deals