Preston City Council are to introduce a social media and blogging policy for all staff.
AdvertisementThe move follows a number of disciplinaries coming about because of usage of the likes of Facebook and Twitter by council employees.
A report to the council’s employment committee says “the council uses blogs and online social networking sites as part of its communication strategy. Employees may use social networking applications for their own purpose in their own time and it is useful to make employees aware of their obligations as an employee.
“The inclusion of guidance on the use of social networks and blogs is likely to reduce the number of disciplinary matters and this in turn may positively affect the Council’s reputation.”
The social media guidance advises council employees not to write about their work or make reference to the council on any social networking sites.
It says “where someone chooses to do so, they should make it clear that the views expressed are personal and do not reflect the views of the council.”
The policy, which could be adopted at the meeting of the employment committee at the Town Hall on Tuesday 13 August, follows the release in 2011 of a social media toolkit by the council’s communication department.
View the full policy and code of conduct on the council website.
What do you think about the social media policy? Do you work for the council? Let us know your views in the comments below
Image credit to Camon on Flickr