The use of social media as defined in this policy includes blogs and microblogs, forums, and other online platforms that support a commenting or information-sharing function. All employees should remember that they remain representatives of the company even after hours. Therefore, they must be aware of and follow company policy when using social media. Furthermore, social media profiles should have a disclaimer – “opinions are my own” – in a visible part of the account (Reynolds, 2018, p. 344). It is advised to separate private and professional accounts if possible and disclose one’s place of employment to be transparent.
While talking to other people or expressing personal opinions online, it is essential to stay polite and respectful. One may encounter negative comments about the company – responses to such material should never be hostile or inappropriate. It is always possible to disengage from a conversation, especially if another person is being threatening, antagonistic, or disingenuous. If the dialogue pertains to the company and the employee acts as an official representative, they should seek their supervisor’s help.
It is vital to adhere to the rules of copyright when posting images, videos, music, and other types of media. One should appropriately credit the author or the source when posting or reposting something. Additionally, the posting of unreleased branding materials and company information is strictly prohibited. Customer and employee information is considered private and is not to be shared. Overall, workers are expected to use their best judgment when encountering a complex situation – it is vital to solve problems rather than create them for oneself and others. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in disciplinary action. Employees who have several or severe violations of the present policy may be subject to termination.
Reference
Reynolds G. W. (2018). Ethics in information technology (6th ed.). Cengage Learning.