(A) Definition. For the purpose of this section, the following definition shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
SOCIAL MEDIA. Any internet based service, including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, MySpace, individually operated website or blog, and any other internet based service used for the dissemination of information be it by written text, pictures, or the posting of documents.
(B) Professional use of social media.
(1) County departments and offices may maintain a social media presence as they see fit, and may designate an employee to maintain such presence.
(2) Prior to representing the county or respective county department or office on any social media an employee must receive permission from the respective department head or elected official.
(3) No employee shall represent or hold themselves out as the representative of the county or an office or department of the county without the express consent of the department head or elected official.
(4) In instances where there is not a clearly designated department head or elected official, the Committee Chairman of the County Board for the respective committee that oversees the operations of the department or office shall be vested with discretion pertaining to the use of social media.
(5) In regards to the County Board of DeWitt County discretion shall be vested with the County Board Chairman.
(6) No personal or private information of any employee or citizen shall be disclosed on social media for any reason, regardless of such information being prohibited or not by any law of the State of Illinois or the United States, unless otherwise authorized by the Freedom of Information Act and such information is posted as an alternative to individual citizens having to request such information through formal requests.
(7) Postings made on behalf of a department or office shall only pertain to the operations of that individual's department or office, and shall not opine or comment on the operation of any other department or office.
(8) No postings shall be made that are obscene, contain nudity, threaten or harass any individual be they another employee or elected official or a citizen not employed by the county.
(9) No individual shall disclose confidential information without the express approval of all individuals made privy to the confidential information. In the case of the County Board a unanimous vote of all members would be required to waive confidentiality.
(C) Private use of social media.
(1) Employees may use social media as they see fit outside of working hours subject to the guidelines below.
(2) Elected officials and department heads may restrict the use of social media during working hours.
(3) Public profiles may be accessed by any individual, including an employer.
(4) Information and postings on private profiles may be accessed at any time by anyone that has been previously granted access.
(5) Employees are encouraged not to air disputes concerning other employees, as social media may be used as evidence against employees at future proceedings regardless of where and when the posting was done.
(6) Employees do not have the expectation of privacy while accessing social media on county equipment and devices.
(7) Postings made outside of working hours may still violate county policies pertaining to harassment and discrimination, and may still subject an employee to discipline or termination.
(8) Information the employee, department head, or elected official has should not be disseminated through a private social media account. All Freedom of Information Act responses should be handled through the designated Freedom of Information Act Officer.
(9) Employees are not prohibited from organizing or discussing amongst themselves issues pertaining to their employment using social media, but any such communications may be used against an employee should they be found to violate the handling of confidential information, or be used to harass or discriminate.
(Res. 2017-08, passed 7-20-2017)