Online Social Networking Policy
Purpose: To provide guidelines to employees who are engaged in online social networking.
Scope: This policy applies to all employees, and covers instant messages, text, video, photos, and audio. Additional policies may apply to employees whose job activities include social media or networking on behalf of [Organization] regarding specific aspects of those job activities.
Policy: [Organization] respects the right of any employee to engage in online social networking using the Internet and other technology during their personal time. This specifically includes websites such as Facebook, MySpace, You Tube, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Wikipedia as well as various chat rooms and blogs. While we respect employees’ right of self-expression, in order to protect the interests of [Organization] and its clients, and ensure employees focus on their job duties, employees must adhere to these guidelines: 
Employees may not engage in such activities during work time, or use [Organization] equipment or Internet connections to access personal social networking accounts.
[Organization] employees may not create social networking site(s) or service accounts to conduct agency business, nor may they use [Organization] logos or branding.
While employees’ free time and personal equipment are generally not subject to any restrictions by [Organization,] we trust employees not to post information about [Organization] or about their jobs, colleagues, or clients which could lead to morale issues in the workplace or which could detrimentally affect [Organization’s] interests. We expressly reserve the right to discuss questionable material with an employee.
Confidentiality
•	Information regarding any aspect of work, published by employees on personal social media networks must comply with [Organization’s] confidentiality policy, HIPPA, and applicable Code of Ethics. This also applies to comments posted on other blogs, forums, and social networking sites. 
•	Do not disclose any information regarding persons receiving services. Employees may not “friend,” “follow” or otherwise establish connections with any individual currently receiving services, nor with their family, guardians, caregivers, etc., on public social networking sites.
•	Respect the privacy rights of fellow employees. 
Public Relations
•	Please keep in mind how quickly information can be relayed using technology and how such information can be misunderstood. We promote a culturally sensitive environment, and expect that individuals known to be [Organization] employees engaging in social networking will be sensitive to culture, gender, ethnic, religious, sexual orientation, disability status and other differences in public communications. 
•	Employees mentioning [Organization] while engaging in social networking and expressing political opinions or opinions regarding [Organization’s] actions, must specifically note that the opinion expressed is his/her personal opinion and not the opinion of [Organization.] This helps us preserve goodwill among stakeholders such as funding and regulatory bodies, referral sources, families, and others. Please note: A standard disclaimer alone does not exempt managers and executives from special responsibility when using social networks. 
•	Employees identifying themselves as employed by [Organization] must ensure that any social networking account profile and related content is consistent with how the employee wishes to present him/herself to colleagues, individuals receiving services, and other stakeholders. 
Netiquette
•	Be respectful of [Organization], other employees, individuals receiving services, and competitors. Don’t use ethnic slurs, personal insults, obscenity, or engage in harassment, threats of violence, or other conduct that would not be acceptable in the workplace. 
•	Respect copyright laws, public record laws, and privacy protection laws. Plagiarism applies to online content and media. 
•	Any conduct that is illegal if expressed in any other forum is expressly prohibited. 
Employees should use their best judgment. If you are about to post something that makes you uncomfortable, or that you think others may find offensive, please review the rules above. 
Compliance: Employees must immediately report violations of this policy to their program manager or supervisor as well as to the Human Resources Manager. 
Enforcement: All program managers and supervisors are responsible for enforcing this policy. Employees who violate this policy are subject to discipline up to and including termination from employment, professional discipline, or criminal prosecution, in accordance with [Organization’s] Human Resources policies and Privacy/Confidentiality Polices. 
*Note: This sample policy language is suggested for discussion only and may not comply with specific legal requirements in any given jurisdiction. Please have any policy you create based on these suggestions reviewed by appropriate authority for your particular needs and situation before using!