Uh-oh. My boss wants to follow me on social media. Do I accept?

You seemed to be having a good time.

We were all having a wonderful time.

You were finally tucked into your work desk, your phone was on 91%, and you had a hot coffee. You had second-day hair and plans to do something exciting afterwards.

And then you got the notification: Your boss just followed you on Instagram.

A slew of questions may be rushing through your head, depending on your connection with your supervisor.

Is this, in fact, my boss?

Surely, it’s just someone with the same name.

And cat.

Okay, this is most likely my boss.

Why is it that s/he wants to look at my page? I suppose it's wonderful that s/he is interested in learning more about my personal life?

Whoa: Is s/he resigning, allowing us to be friends on the internet?!

Is it true that he/she already considers us friends?

One of the most often concerns everyone thinks about, "Is it OK to follow my manager on Instagram?" Or, to put it another way, should I accept my boss's Facebook friend request?

The answer is unfortunately not black and white.

It is entirely based on your social media usage, interests, and behaviour – as well as your connection with your boss – whether or not you choose to be friends with your boss on the internet.

Before accepting or rejecting a digital friendship with a superior, ask yourself these questions.

• Is Instagram more of a family or friends’ network for you, or do you use it to celebrate career milestones? To put it another way, are you a more private person who doesn't want your supervisor to know about your personal life?

If it's the latter, approach your supervisor and explain gently that your page is for family and friends only, but that you'd be pleased to connect on a more professional network. Avoid the elephant (or, friend request) in the room at all costs. Make sure your manager understands why you didn't take their offer.

• Do you find yourself inclined to live-Tweet your complaints while stuck in traffic? (I'm sure we all know someone that fits this description.) To put it another way, are you utilising social media as a journal?

If this describes you, A: stop. (On social media, judgement and restraint are the keys to the castle!) B: It sounds like there are stuff on your social media accounts that your boss would rather not see, so don't let the floodgates open. Remember that 92% of recruiters use social media to make recruiting decisions, so make sure your page is clean and/or private before it affects your job.

• Is your job/work status likely to improve as a result of your social media activity?

Let's have a peek at the other side. Many businesses can benefit greatly from having a vibrant social media presence. It can demonstrate your ability to tell interesting stories, provide appealing material, and, perhaps most significantly, cultivate a community. If you work in an industry that values those qualities, showing your boss that you have a great feed with a built-in audience can be incredibly useful.

• Is it necessary for you to alter your online behaviour now that your supervisor is watching you?

Certainly not. Your boss has most likely followed you because they enjoy what you're posting and want to learn more about you.

That said, “Google before you Tweet is the new think before you speak.” If you haven't already started managing your social media platforms with this mindset, the day your boss follows you is a great chance to do so.