Employees Following Employees Social Media Policy

What is a corporate social media policy?

Near of your employees are likely to use one or more than social platforms. Whatever they post on their personal accounts tin be a potential risk for your company (e.g. if they share sensitive information). And, more than chiefly, using social media at work can affect productivity and focus. This is one of the reasons you need a company social media policy – to accost limitations on what employees can post and to potentially place restrictions on social media use inside the workplace.

The other reason is your own social media profile; as an arrangement, you'll want to have a consequent phonation on your social media and desire to avoid posting potentially risky statements or information. A social media policy for employees can give them the instructions they need to know how to handle corporate accounts.

How restrictive should my company social media policy exist?

Your employees own their social media profiles, so what they mail there tin't be restricted by your organization. Y'all can, however, provide them with reasonable guidelines almost what they shouldn't mail service near (due east.g. confidential information) and provide any potential disciplinary actions if their posts touch your company's image (e.thousand. hate speech). Every bit far every bit your own company's social media accounts are concerned, y'all're entitled to set the rules of posting.

How do I distribute it?

Your social media policy should be office of your employee handbook or alive within your policy database (eastward.chiliad. in your HRIS). Make sure all employees have read information technology, especially those in your social media team.

Of course, remember that this policy is a living certificate – this is because the social media landscape changes often, new rules and regulations nearly privacy are introduced and trends tin likewise play a part (e.g. the #metoo movement). Make sure you keep up-to-date with changes and think virtually whether your company social media policy might need some revamping.

Hither's a unproblematic social media policy template to go you started with the essentials:

Policy cursory & purpose

Our social media company policy provides a framework for using social media. Social media is a place where people exchange information, opinions and experiences to acquire, develop and have fun. Whether y'all're treatment a corporate account or using one of your own, you should remain productive and avoid damaging our organization in whatsoever mode. This policy provides practical communication to avoid issues that might arise past careless use of social media in the workplace.

Scope

We expect all our employees to follow this policy.

Also, by "social media", we refer to a variety of online communities like blogs, social networks, chat rooms and forums – not just platforms similar Facebook or Twitter.

This policy is built around two dissimilar elements: one, using personal social media at work and two, representing our company through social media.

Policy elements

Using personal social media

We [allow] our employees to access their personal accounts at piece of work. But, we expect you to act responsibly and ensure your productivity isn't affected.

Whether yous're using your accounts for business concern or personal purposes, you may hands become sidetracked by the vast amount of available content. Then, delight restrict your apply to a few minutes per work 24-hour interval.

Nosotros inquire you to exist conscientious when posting on social media, too. We tin can't restrict what you post there, merely nosotros expect you to adhere to our confidentiality policies at all times. We as well caution yous to avoid violating our anti-harassment policies or posting something that might brand your collaboration with your colleagues more difficult (e.g. hate speech against groups where colleagues belong to). In general, please:

We advise our employees to:

• Ensure others know that your personal account or statements don't correspond our company. Yous shouldn't state or imply that your personal opinions and content are authorized or endorsed by our company. We advise using a disclaimer such as "opinions are my own" to avoid misunderstandings.
• Avoid sharing intellectual belongings like trademarks on a personal account without approval. Confidentiality policies and laws always apply.
• Avert whatever defamatory, offensive or derogatory content. It may exist considered as a violation of our company's anti-harassment policy, if directed towards colleagues, clients or partners.

Representing our visitor

Some employees represent our visitor by treatment corporate social media accounts or speak on our company's behalf. When you're sitting backside a corporate social media account, nosotros expect you to act carefully and responsibly to protect our company's epitome and reputation. You should:

• Exist respectful, polite and patient,when engaging in conversations on our company's behalf. You should exist extra conscientious when making declarations or promises towards customers and stakeholders.
• Avert speaking on matters outside your field of expertise when possible. Everyone should exist careful not to answer questions or brand statements that fall under somebody else'due south responsibleness.
• Follow our confidentiality policy and data protection policy and notice laws on copyright, trademarks, plagiarism and fair employ.
• Inform our [PR/Marketing department] when you're about to share any major-impact content.
• Avoid deleting or ignoring comments for no reason. They should listen and reply to criticism.
• Never post discriminatory, offensive or libelous content and commentary.
• Right or remove any misleading or faux content as quickly equally possible.

Disciplinary Consequences

Nosotros'll monitor all social media postings on our corporate account.

Nosotros may have to take disciplinary action leading upwards to and including termination if employees do non follow this policy's guidelines. Examples of not-conformity with the employee social media policy include but are not limited to:

• Disregarding task responsibilities and deadlines to utilize social media at work.
• Disclosing confidential information through personal or corporate accounts.
• Directing offensive comments towards other members of the online community.

If you violate this policy inadvertently, yous may receive a reprimand. We look you to comply afterwards that, or stricter disciplinary actions volition utilize.

Disclaimer: This policy template is meant to provide general guidelines and should be used as a reference. It may not accept into account all relevant local, state or federal laws and is not a legal certificate. Neither the author nor Workable will presume any legal liability that may arise from the use of this policy.

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