The advent of social media may be causing employers problems as they try to keep hold of their best staff.

While an increasing number of businesses are using networking sites to advertise their activities and attract customers, employees may be utilising them to look for a new job.

In a study conducted by Taleo Corporation, 66 per cent of respondents said they had used social media to find out about potential new career opportunities.

Two-thirds (66 per cent) of respondents said they had used social networks to improve their career prospects outside of their current company – and this could lead to increased staff attrition.

Of those surveyed, 39 per cent  plan to use social networks to find new jobs, 40 per cent to research prospective employees, and 32 per cent to apply for jobs.

Dave Wilkins, vice-president of Taleo Research, commented that social networking is here to stay.

“To retain top talent in the current environment, employers should leverage internal social talent practices to better engage employees and identify top performers,” he stated.

“Employers need to focus on building a strong employer brand and incorporating social media presence into their talent acquisition strategies.”

At the same time, companies need to do a better job in tapping into employee networks and self-identified areas of expertise without being perceived as overstepping boundaries, Mr Wilkins added.

“Businesses who can successfully use social talent practices to harness the collective wisdom and expertise of their teams while also connecting with a broader pool of external talent will be poised for success,” he claimed.