LIBRARY DIGITAL AND SOCIAL MEDIA
Definition of Digital and Social Media: For the purposes of this policy, social media should be understood to include any email, text, website, forum, or app that allows for open communication on the digitally included, but not limited to:
• Texting, WhatsApp, etc.
• Email
• Social Networking Sites (Linkedin, FB/Meta, etc);
• Micro-blogging Sites X, Instagram, Snapchat, Tumblr, Reddit, etc);
• Blogs (including company and personal blogs);
• Online Encyclopedias (Wikipedia);
• Video and photo-sharing websites (YouTube, TikTok, Flickr, Pinterest, etc)
Think Before Posting- In general, employees should think carefully before posting online, because most online social platforms are open for all to see. Despite privacy policies, employees cannot always be sure who will view, share or archive the information that is posted online. Employees should carefully consider the risks and rewards with respect to each posting. Employees should remember that any conduct, online or otherwise, that negatively or adversely impacts the employee’s job performance or conduct, the job performance or conduct of other co-workers or adversely affects clients, customers, colleagues or associates of Wauseon Public Library of Wauseon Public Library’s legitimate business interest may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination. If employees have any doubt about what to post online it is probably better not to post, since once something is placed in cyberspace, it is often difficult to retract the information. Employees should use their best judgment and exercise personal responsibility when posting to any social media websites.
Using Social Media at Work- Employees should use social media on equipment provided by Wauseon Public Library ONLY for work related activities. However, employees may use social media on personal equipment during established break periods. Employees must not use Wauseon Public Library-provided email addresses to register on social networks, blogs or other websites for personal use. Employees should note that this provision is not meant to prohibit employees from engaging in concerted protected activity which is lawful under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).
Employer Reserves the Right to Monitor-Where applicable law permits, the employer reserves the right to monitor the employee use of any social media, and to take appropriate action with respect to inappropriate or unlawful postings. In monitoring social media, the employer will not in any way interfere with any employee rights under Section 7 of the NLRA.
Employees Are NOT Authorized to Speak on Behalf of the Employer, Unless Explicitly Given Permission- Employees should express only personal opinions online and an employee should never represent himself or herself as a spokesperson for Wauseon Public Library unless given explicit permission or approval to do so. Employees should never post anything to the internet in Wauseon Public Library’s name without prior written consent. If Wauseon Public Library is the subject of content posted online, the employee should make it clear that the views posted do not represent or reflect the views of Wauseon Public Library or other co-workers, clients, customers, colleagues or other individuals who work on behalf of or who are associated with Wauseon Public Library. If an employee chooses to post online content relating to Wauseon Public Library, the employee should make it clear that he or she is not speaking on behalf of Wauseon Public Library. Any online activity relating to or impacting the employer should be accompanied by a disclaimer stating that “The postings on this website are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Wauseon Public Library.” This disclaimer should be visible and easy to understand.
Be Mindful of Copyright and Intellectual Property Laws- Employees should be careful to comply with all copyright, trademark and intellectual property laws.
Act Appropriately- Employees should act appropriately when posting online. Any online behavior should be consistent with the employer’s policies and practices with respect to ethics, confidential information, discrimination and harassment. Because online tone can be interpreted in different ways by reader’s employees should not engage in any online conduct that would not be acceptable or appropriate in the workplace, including derogatory, discriminating or stereotypical remarks, threats, intimidation, harassment, insults, slander, defamation or pornography.
Demonstrate Respect- When posting anything online employees should always be fair, courteous and respectful to co-workers, clients, customers, colleagues and other individuals who may work on behalf of Wauseon Public Library. Employees should demonstrate proper respect for the privacy of others. If an employee decides to post a complaint or criticisms, the employee should avoid using any statements, photographs, video or audio that may be viewed as malicious, obscene, threatening, harassing or abusive of co-workers, clients, customers, colleagues or other individuals that work on behalf of or are associated with Wauseon Public Library. Employees should refrain from engaging in offensive postings that may create a hostile and abusive work environment based on race, sex, religion or any other protected class.
Be Accurate and Honest- Employees should always be accurate and honest in posting any news or information to social media and quickly correct any mistakes or errors. Employees should never post any information which is known to be false about Wauseon Public Library or any co-workers, clients, customers, colleagues or other individuals that work on behalf of or are associated with the Library.
NLRA Activity- When applicable, protected concerted activity covered by the NLRA or the particular collective bargaining agreement is not prohibited by this policy.
Business-Related Social Media Accounts- All business-related social media accounts and related posting maintained by employees for marketing and/or networking purposes remain the property of Wauseon Public Library at all times All information including the account, the login and password should be returned to Wauseon Public Library at the end of the employee’s employment No employee has the right to use the account after termination of employment and only Wauseon Public Library is permitted to change account name and setting.
Retaliation Prohibited- Wauseon Public Library prohibits taking adverse action (i.e., discipline, transfer, fire) against any employee for reporting a possible violation of this social media policy or cooperating in any investigation with respect to a potential social media policy violation. Any employee who retaliates against any employee for reporting a possible deviation from this policy or for cooperating in any investigation will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
Legal Liability-Employees can be legally liable for what is written or posted online. The employer also reserves the right to discipline employees, up to and including termination, for any commentary, content or images that are pornographic, harassing, and libelous or for anything that creates a hostile work environment based on race, sex, religion or any other protected class particular collective bargaining agreement is not prohibited by this policy.
I, ____________________________ (print name) understand and will abide by this
policy while employed by Wauseon Public Library and in my future dealings with
Wauseon Public Library.
Signature: ______________________________
Date: __________________________________
Approved: ______________________________
