(A) SOCIAL MEDIA is defined as media designed to be disseminated through social interaction, created using highly accessible and scalable publishing techniques. Generally, these guidelines set forth in this social media policy should be applied to any online medium where information may reflect back on the image of the town, employees, agents, residents, or customers of town services. Examples include but are not limited to: blogs, Linkedln, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Wikipedia or other wikis, and the like. Any comments that the town employees may leave on others’ blogs, or Facebook and Instagram pages, edits to wikis, responses to tweets, postings on message boards/forums, opinions on online polls or any product/services the town employees may author are included in this policy.
(B) All social media accounts, blogs, web pages and related content carrying the town brand identity are and will be owned and licensed by the town, as appropriate. Personal accounts, blogs, web pages and related content that do not carry the town’s brand identity may be owned, licensed and operated by any employee. If the town is referenced in any media as approved by the Town Council, all social media guidelines must apply or employees may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
(C) All employees should consider the following guidelines when posting on social media sites:
(1) Do not post or link any materials that are threatening, intimidating, coercing, or otherwise interfering with the performance of coworkers, residents, or customers of town services.
(2) Do not disclose information acquired in the course of one’s work.
(3) When reposting or referencing a post on one of the town’s online sites, provide a link to the original post or story.
(4) When relevant, the employee should identify his or her affiliation with the town and his or her area of concentration. This adds credibility to both the employee and the town.
(5) Do respect the laws regarding copyrights, trademarks, rights of publicity and other third-party rights. To minimize the risk of a copyright violation, employees should provide references to the source(s) of information they use and accurately cite copyrighted works they identify in our online communications. Do not infringe on town logos, brand names, taglines, slogans, or other trademarks.
(6) If a negative post or comment is found online about the town or an employee, try not to counter with another negative post. Remedy the situation through a positive action.
(7) If an employee publishes content to any website outside of the town’s official online presence (this may include town websites as well as the town’s presence on third-party sites) and it has something to do with subjects associated with the town, consider a disclaimer such as this:
“The postings are my own and do not necessarily represent the town’s positions, strategies or opinions.”
(D) As stated in Policy #517—Internet Usage (§ 35.113), all equipment, services, and technology provided to access the internet remain at all times the property of the town. As such, the town reserves the town’s online connections and stored in the town’s computer systems. In addition, employees should understand that all information transmitted via the internet is not considered to be confidential in nature and employees should not expect privacy of any information transmitted. Employees are also required to provide the town with all passwords used to access the internet via town equipment, services and technology, as requested by a department head, the Clerk-Treasurer, or the Town Manager.
(E) While this policy is comprehensive, it is not all inclusive. Employees who are in violation of any portion of this policy may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. Nothing in this policy shall be interpreted to prohibit or otherwise restrict concerted activities by employees that are protected by law.
(F) Employees should contact the Town Manager, or the Clerk-Treasurer for additional information regarding the guidelines of social media.
(Ord. 2020-26, passed 1-12-21)