Comments on: Social media staff guidelines http://davepress.net/2009/08/16/social-media-staff-guidelines/ Using the internet to make government more interesting Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:06:57 +0100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Sharon O'Dea http://davepress.net/2009/08/16/social-media-staff-guidelines/comment-page-1/#comment-3502 Sharon O'Dea Tue, 18 Aug 2009 08:25:04 +0000 http://davepress.net/?p=1654#comment-3502 I recently developed a policy for staff use of social networks here. In an ideal world I'd have taken inspiration from my partner's firm's expenses policy (a succinct "don't take the piss") and gone for the simple "don't be a twat". However, I work in local government, so we settled on a five-page document. This began with a simple statement of principles: 1. Be professional; remember that you are an ambassador for your organisation. Wherever possible, disclose your position as a representative of your group, department or team. 2. Be responsible. Be honest at all times. Remember, we have obligations to those who we deliver services to and have information about, to those partners and suppliers we work with and to our colleagues. Do not disclose information that is not appropriate to share. 3. Be credible, be accurate, be fair and make sure you are doing the right thing. As with any policy, the simpler it is, the easier it will be for people to stick to. I recently developed a policy for staff use of social networks here. In an ideal world I’d have taken inspiration from my partner’s firm’s expenses policy (a succinct “don’t take the piss”) and gone for the simple “don’t be a twat”.

However, I work in local government, so we settled on a five-page document. This began with a simple statement of principles:

1. Be professional; remember that you are an ambassador for your organisation. Wherever possible, disclose your position as a representative of your group, department or team.
2. Be responsible. Be honest at all times. Remember, we have obligations to those who we deliver services to and have information about, to those partners and suppliers we work with and to our colleagues. Do not disclose information that is not appropriate to share.
3. Be credible, be accurate, be fair and make sure you are doing the right thing.

As with any policy, the simpler it is, the easier it will be for people to stick to.

]]> By: julian dobson http://davepress.net/2009/08/16/social-media-staff-guidelines/comment-page-1/#comment-3499 julian dobson Mon, 17 Aug 2009 08:52:24 +0000 http://davepress.net/?p=1654#comment-3499 I'd like to see more policies that tell people to get stuck in and make the most of the opportunities social media offers. I understand the need to avoid stupidity and abuse, but it would be good to have more along the lines of: 1 Listen to people 2 Engage with them 3 Get excited 4 Be creative Someone I know was talking to a civil servant about a new policy announcement last week. When he asked the official what he thought, he replied: 'I am neither happy nor unhappy about this policy'. Presumably he was following what he thought was his department's line, but it's infuriating for those of us who live in the real world. I’d like to see more policies that tell people to get stuck in and make the most of the opportunities social media offers. I understand the need to avoid stupidity and abuse, but it would be good to have more along the lines of:

1 Listen to people
2 Engage with them
3 Get excited
4 Be creative

Someone I know was talking to a civil servant about a new policy announcement last week. When he asked the official what he thought, he replied: ‘I am neither happy nor unhappy about this policy’. Presumably he was following what he thought was his department’s line, but it’s infuriating for those of us who live in the real world.

]]>