Set expectations for employee use of social media: Social Media Contract

Social Media Contract

I. OVERVIEW & PURPOSE

This Social Media Contract has been adopted by of , , , to optimize employee social media interaction in a way that conforms with 's policies and enhances professional communication, sharing, and collaboration with a wider audience. Social Media, which should be broadly understood for purposes of this contract includes, without limitation, multi-media, social networking websites, user rating services, blogs, micro-blogs, wikis, chat rooms, electronic newsletters, online forums for both professional and personal use, and other sites and services that permit users to share information with others. The foregoing guidelines are meant to assist employees with making appropriate decisions when engaging in social media tools. Employees should become familiar with any applicable employee policies and employee handbooks in conjunction with this Social Media Contract.

II. SCOPE & APPLICABILITY

This contract applies to all employees, contractors, and other personnel acting in an official capacity on behalf of when using social media for business purposes on the company's internal "Intranet" (if applicable) or Internet. These policies apply only to work-related sites, issues, and interactions and are not meant to infringe upon any personal online interaction outside of work. and this Social Media Contract acknowledges that any forms of protected speech cannot by censored by . Legally protected activity does not include personal complaints, or offensive, demeaning, defamatory, abusive, or inappropriate remarks that may cause a hostile work environment. reserves the right to request that certain subjects are avoided and that certain posts be deleted if deems a post or comment to be inappropriate.

III. GENERAL POLICIES

. APPROVAL. Before beginning any social media project, employees must first be granted approval by the appropriate agent(s) to use social media, social networking, or related services or tools to directly support or enhance activities being undertaken in an official capacity by .

. CONFIDENTIALITY. Internet postings should not disclose any information or trade secrets that are confidential or proprietary to the or to any third party that has disclosed information to the company. Anything designated "Internal Use Only" by or anything similarly designated as intended for company consumption only, shall not be conveyed, whether implicitly or explicitly, on any form of social media whatsoever. This includes, but is not limited to, company strategy, information about trademarks, upcoming product releases, sales, finances, number of products sold, number of employees, and any other information that has not been publicly released by . These items are given as an example only and do not cover the range of what the company considers confidential and proprietary. Employees should explicitly identify all copyrighted materials or information, obtain permission to post when necessary, and give credit to original authors.

. OWNERSHIP. Employees who engage in social media should define what materials belong to the company and what materials belong to the employee. Internet and blog posts created during nonworking hours on topics unrelated to the business typically belong to the employee. It is permissible to quote or retweet others, but employees should not attempt to pass off someone else's words, photography, or other information as their own. All copyright, privacy, and other laws that apply offline apply online as well. Employees should always give proper credit when posting a link or information gathered from another source. Any social media contacts, including "followers" or "friends," that are acquired through accounts (including, but not limited to email addresses, blogs, Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, or other social media networks) created on behalf of are the property of

. TRANSPARENCY AND DISCLOSURES. If an employee is granted permission to publicly share what a client, partner, or other organization is doing, such as launching a new website or coming out with a new product, the employee must disclose his/her relationship to the other party. Employees are not permitted to discuss an organization or product in social media in exchange for money. If an employee receives a product or service to review for free, the employee must disclose it in his/her post or review.

. ONLINE DISCRIMINATION & HARASSMENT. shall not tolerate, under any circumstances, without exception, any online behavior that is explicitly or implicitly discriminatory based on race, creed, religion, color, age, disability, pregnancy, marital status, parental status, veteran status, military status, domestic violence victim status, national origin, political affiliation, sex, predisposing genetic characteristics, and any other status protected by the law. This list is not exhaustive. In some cases, local laws and regulations may provide greater protections than those described in this contract.

. POLICY ON BLOCKING SOCIAL MEDIA SITES.

IV. CODE OF CONDUCT

. BLOGGING.

. MICRO-BLOGGING (TWITTER). All official users are identified at .

. ONLINE SOCIAL NETWORKING (FACEBOOK). Employees who are allowed to participate on social networking sites for will be identified as .

. SOCIAL VIDEO (YOUTUBE).

. ONLINE FORUMS AND DISCUSSION BOARDS. In publicly accessible online forums, employees are not to discuss information that is not already considered public information. The discussion of sensitive, proprietary, or classified information is strictly prohibited. This policy applies even in circumstances where password or other privacy controls are implemented. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action at the discretion of .

V. REVIEWING & AMENDING THE TERMS

This Social Media Contract may be reviewed by the proper agents at from time to time. may revise and update this Social Media Contract to incorporate new and emerging social media sites and trends that could potentially affect .

VI. VIOLATIONS

Any employee engaging in behavior that violates this contract will be subject to disciplinary action, including the possible termination of employment, whether or not an actual law has been violated. Each person at is personally responsible, and may be legally liable, for the content he or she publishes online. Employees can be sued for not disclosing their relationship to the Company, or for purposely spreading false information. Employees can also be sued by other company employees, competitors, and any individual or company that views any commentary, content, or images as defamatory, pornographic, proprietary, harassing, libelous or creating a hostile work environment.

VII. SIGNATORIES AND EFFECTIVE DATE

Implementation of the terms of this contract will be effective as of .

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