SOCIAL MEDIA, SOCIAL NETWORKING, AND BLOGGING

This Policy governs Employee use of social media, including any online tools used to share content and profiles, such as personal web pages, apps and blogs, message boards, networks, communities, and social networking websites, apps, and blogs, including, but not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Tumblr, Instagram, and Reddit. The lack of explicit reference to a specific site or type of social media does not limit the application of this Policy.

The University respects the rights of all Employees to use social media. However, because communications by University Employees on social media could, in certain situations, negatively impact business operations, customer relations, or create legal liability, it is necessary for the University to provide these guidelines. These guidelines are intended to ensure Employees understand the types of conduct that are prohibited. This Policy will not be interpreted or applied so as to interfere with the rights of Employees to discuss or share information related to their wages, hours, or other terms, and conditions of employment. Employees have the right to engage in or refrain from such activities.

Employees engaging in use of social media are subject to all of the University’s policies and procedures including, but not limited to the University’s policies: (1) protecting trade secrets, and confidential information related to the University’s operation; (2) safeguarding University property; (3) prohibiting unlawful discrimination, harassment and retaliation; and (4) governing the use of University computers, telephone systems, and other electronic and communication systems owned or provided by the University.

Employees are prohibited from the following:

• • Disclosing on social media the University’s trade secrets or proprietary and confidential information related to products, production processes, designs, or using or disclosing documents or similar information that has been designated or marked as business sensitive, confidential/private, intellectual property, or business use only. Examples of confidential information include customer information, trade secrets, non-public financial performance information and strategic business plans, and does not include information related to an Employee’s own wages, hours and working conditions.
  • Using social media to post or to display comments about Co-workers, supervisors, customers, vendors, suppliers, or members of management that are obscene, physically threatening or intimidating, or otherwise constitute a violation of the University’s workplace policies against discrimination, retaliation, or harassment.
  • Posting or displaying on social media content that is an intentional public attack on the quality of the University’s products and/or services in a manner that a reasonable person would perceive as calculated to harm the University’s business and is unrelated to any employee concern involving wages, hours, or other terms and conditions of employment.
  • Unless authorized and approved by the University, disclosing, or publishing on social media any promotional content about the University or its products.
  • Engaging in activities that involve the use of social media to violate other established University policies or procedures.
  • Using social media while on working time, unless it is being used for University business and with the authorization of the University.
  • Posting a photograph of a vendor, supplier, or customer on social media without that individual’ express permission.

Violations of this Policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including separation of employment. Employees with questions regarding this Policy may contact Human Resources.

Employees may not use employer-owned equipment, including University information technology, University-licensed software, or other electronic equipment, or facilities or University time, to conduct personal blogging or social networking activities.

Employees should know that the University has the right to and will monitor the use of its information technology, telephone, and other equipment and systems, as well as any publicly accessible social media. Employees should expect that any information created, transmitted, downloaded, exchanged, or discussed on publicly accessible online social media may be accessed by the University at any time without prior notice.

Social media account ownership: To the extent Employees are authorized as part of their job duties to use social media account(s) to advance the University’s interests, the University, not the Employee, owns the account(s) and Employees are required to return all logins and passwords for such accounts at the end of employment.