HR Newsletters 2021

COMPLIANCE CORNER—POLICY NOTICE

Section 2: Staff Employment

MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL

Title: Social Media Policy

Initial Date of Adoption: Mar ch 20, 2015

Reference:

Revision Date: Mar ch 3, 2021

Page: 1

Code Number: 2.11

SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY

Social media includes all means of communicating or posting information or content of any sort on the Internet, including to your own or some- one else's web log or blog, journal or diary, personal web site, social networking or affinity web site, web bulletin board or a chat room, whether or not associated or affiliated with the Mississippi Community College Board, as well as any other form of electronic communication. Ultimately, you are solely responsible for what you post online. Before creating online content, consider some of the risks and rewards that are involved. Keep in mind that any of your conduct that adversely affects your job performance, the performance of fellow associates or otherwise adversely affects the interests and mission of our agency may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

Know and follow the rules

Carefully read these guidelines to ensure your postings are consistent with these policies. Inappropriate postings that may include discriminato- ry remarks, harassment, and threats of violence or similar inappropriate or unlawful conduct will not be tolerated and may subject you to disci- plinary action, up to and including termination. The agency may monitor employee use of agency computers and the Internet, including employ- ee blogging and social networking activity.

Be respectful

Always be fair and courteous to fellow associates, clients or constituents, and people who work on behalf of or with the Miss issippi Community College Board, and keep in mind that you are more likely to resolve work-related complaints by speaking directly with your co-workers than by posting complaints to a social media outlet. Online posting of complaints or criticism using statements, photographs, video, or audio that rea- sonably could be viewed as malicious, obscene, threatening, or intimidating; that disparage clients or individuals served by, associates, or people who work on behalf of or with the Mississippi Community College Board; or that might constitute harassment or bullying will not be tolerated. Examples of such conduct might include offensive posts meant to intentionally harm someone's reputation or posts that could contribute to a hostile work environment on the basis of race, sex, disability, religion, or any other status protected by State or Federal law. Make sure you are always honest and accurate when posting information or news, and if you make a mistake, correct it quickly. Be open about any previous posts you have altered. Remember that the Internet archives almost everything; therefore, even deleted postings can be searched. Never post any information or rumors that you know to be false about the Mississippi Community College Board, fellow associates, people working on behalf of or with the Mississippi Community College Board, or clients or vendors or individuals served by the Mississippi Com- munity College Board. Be honest and accurate Maintain the confidentiality of information about which you have knowledge as a result of your work at the Mississippi Community College Board and ensure your online communications, as with all communications, are in full compliance with the Mississippi Community College Board confidentiality agreement. Do not post internal reports, policies, procedures, or other internal business-related confidential communications. Employees should not divulge Mississippi Community College Board confidential information or information restricted from disclosure by law on social media sites. Employees may write about their jobs in general but may not disclose any confidential or proprietary information. For exam- ples of confidential information, please refer to the confidentiality policy. When in doubt, ask before publishing. Please remember that work product and the agency’s business belong to the agency. Do not post them on a social media site without the agen- cy’s permission. Employees are expected to comply with all applicable laws, including but not limited to, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines, copyright, trademark, and harassment laws. Post only appropriate and respectful content

for cooperating in an investigation will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

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