HR Answers | Helping Organizations Build Success from Within | Social Media Policy for Employees

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Online Posting and Social Networking Policy

This Online Posting/Social Networking Policy includes rules and guidelines for personal social networking.  It applies to all ___________ Club management and staff (collectively, "Club Employees").  It is in addition to the rules, guidelines and policies already enforced by Club with respect to no-harassment (sexual, racial, or otherwise), non-discrimination, and confidentiality found in Club's Employee Handbook, all of which is incorporated here by reference.

For purposes of this policy, posting to blogs, participating in social networking activities (such as Facebook), posting items on multi-media sites (such as YouTube) or business networking sites (such as LinkedIn), or participating in similar on-line activities as in "Internet Posting" or a "Posting."  The definition of "Internet Posting" and "Posting" is not limited to publicly accessible websites/forums and includes websites and forums that are password-protected or otherwise considered "private."

Personal Internet Postings Policy

The Club expects its employees to exercise common sense, good judgment and respect with regard to personal Internet Postings made on web sites not sponsored by or affiliated with the Club.  It is important to remember that employees are legally responsible for the content of their personal Internet Postings.  This could mean, for example, personal liability for a Posting that is considered defamatory, obscene, proprietary or libelous by any offended party (not just the Club), or a Posting that otherwise violates the law.

The following rules and guidelines apply to employees who make personal Internet Postings.  These rules and guidelines will continually evolve as new technologies and social networking tools emerge, and employees are expected to review this policy frequently for updates.  Club Employees who make personal Internet Postings must adhere to the following:

The creation and publication of personal Internet Postings may not interfere with an employee's work time, deadlines, or other obligations to the Club.  Club Employees are required to make personal Internet Postings during nonworking hours, meal periods and/or rest breaks.  This includes, for example, private chats on Facebook and instant messaging via the internet (such as Yahoo! Messenger).  It also includes playing Facebook games or applications.

Personal Internet Postings may not be used for the purpose of harassing, threatening, discriminating or disparaging a current or former Club employee, a Club member or guest, or a Club competitor.  Further, Internet Postings may not violate any Club policy, including those found in the Employee Handbook.

A Club Employee who makes a personal Internet Posting that may be perceived as an endorsement of Club's services must use a disclaimer that is similar to this with each Posting: "This posting is my own.  It doesn't necessarily represent the Club's positions, strategies, or opinions." 

Employees are expected to respect brand, trademark, copyright, fair use, trade secrets (including Club processes and methodologies), confidentiality, and financial disclosure laws.  That means that employees cannot make an Internet Posting that includes, as some examples: (1) Confidential information about the Club's positions, strategies, employees or members; or (3) Other Club-privileged or confidential information, including copyrighted information or Club-issued documents.  If Club Employees choose to post information on their personal Facebook or Twitter pages discussing day-to-day or unusual events at work, they should not use any identifying information about the persons or issues involved.

Club Employees who make personal Internet Postings that feature photographs of Club employees, members or persons engaged in Club business or at Club events are strongly encouraged to seek permission from the photograph's subjects before making the Posting.   Employees are strongly discouraged from identifying or tagging Club members and/or staff in photos, videos, and/or other types of personal Internet Postings, and must respect the wishes of photographed subjects who do not want to be identified or tagged in such publications.

Employees with questions about "Personal Internet Postings" or about whether their posting falls into any of the categories described above should contact the Controller before making such a Posting. 

Reporting Social Media Violations and Discipline

___________ Club requests and strongly urges employees to report any violations or possible or perceived violations of this Policy to supervisors, managers or the Controller. 

The Club will investigate and respond to all reports of violations of the Online Posting/Social Networking Policy.  Violation of the Online Posting/Social Networking Policy may result in disciplinary action up to and including immediate termination.  The Club reserves the right to take legal action where necessary against employees who engage in conduct prohibited by the Online Posting/Social Networking Policy and conduct that is otherwise unlawful.