16 - Personnel Policy Amendments

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SECTION 15.15 — Social Media An employee's use of social media, both on and off duty, must not interfere with or conflict with the employee's duties or job performance, reflect negatively on the City or violate any City policy. The intent of these standards is to regulate the creation and distribution of information concerning the City, its employees and citizens through electronic media, including, but not limited to online forums, instant messaging and internet social media and blogging sites. This policy is designed to protect the City's reputation and ensure that an employee's communications not only reflect positively on the employee as an individual, but also on the City. The term "social media" encompasses: tweets and twittering, Facebook, LinkedIn, blogs, and other online journals and diaries; bulletin boards and chat rooms, microblogging and all other social networking sites, instant messaging and the posting of video on YouTube and similar media. Use of City's Internet Use of the City's Internet is a privilege and City employees must be responsible and ethical in its use. The City may monitor an employee's access, use, and postings to the City's Internet to: ensure compliance with internal policies; support the performance of internal investigations; assist management of information systems; and for all other lawful purposes. The City expects all employees to follow the Guidelines below when posting information on the City's Social media sites. Other Citi, Policies, This policy should be read and interpreted in conjunction with other City policies, including but not limited to, policies prohibiting harassment, discrimination, offensive conduct or inappropriate behavior. Violations of the Social Media Policy may lead to disciplinary action. The City provides an effective system for employee complaints "off-line" through the "General Complaint and Grievance" policy without resorting to social media. EMPLOYEE GUIDELINES: Use of City's Social Media on Work Time A. Any blogging or posting of information on the Internet or other City social media sites must comply with the City's guidelines, regardless of where the blogging or posting is done. B. Blogging, or posting information of a personal nature on the Internet or other City social media sites is prohibited during work hours. Employees are not permitted to engage in social networking of a personal nature while using any of the City's electronic social media sites. C. Employees must obtain written authorization from the City Manager or the IT Director to update or post on social media sites on behalf of the City and all content must be approved prior to posting. All of the employee's time spent updating or posting on City