POL 5.450 Employee Use of Social Media
The use of social media for individual expression and communication with others has greatly expanded our ability to communicate. However, Kirtland employees are reminded that not all communication is beneficial. Communications that would be harmful, illegal, or substantially inappropriate in any other public or quasi-public forum are equally so on social media. If you wouldn’t or shouldn’t express it face-to-face or in a general grouping, you may not want to do so on a medium which can be broadcast and observed worldwide, and preserved indefinitely. Conduct on social media that is in violation of law or Kirtland policy may subject the posting employee to disciplinary action as provided under Board policy.
Employees are advised to consider the following points when posting on social media:
Online Identity
Express only your personal opinions. Do not represent yourself as a spokesperson for the college unless specifically authorized to do so. Do not use Kirtland email addresses to register on social networks, blogs, or other online tools utilized for personal use. If Kirtland, or activities of the college, or its employees, students, board members or other related subjects are the topic of your post, make it clear that the views being expressed are your own.
Confidentiality
Do not present information online that may not be lawfully shared outside of the work environment. The provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other statutes affecting disclosure of personal and confidential information apply equally to social media as to any other forms of communication.
Harassment and Discrimination
Avoid posting statements, photographs, video, or audio that could reasonably be interpreted as harassing, discriminatory, bullying, intimidating, threatening, retaliatory, or otherwise creating a hostile workplace environment.
Accuracy
The making or deliberate forwarding of false, defamatory, or libelous information may subject the employee to legal action by the affected individuals, as well as disciplinary action by the college. Always make reasonable effort to confirm the accuracy of potentially harmful information, and avoid posting if uncertain.
Health and Safety
Any apparent violation of Public Health or MIOSHA Safety Standards on Kirtland facilities discovered on social media will be investigated, and violators will be subject to discipline.
Conflict of Interest
Employees must not present themselves on social media in a manner which would compromise their objectivity or integrity in carrying out their professional duties as Kirtland employees.
Retaliation is Prohibited
Kirtland prohibits taking negative action by any employee against any employee for reporting a possible violation of this policy, or for cooperating in an investigation.
This policy does not prohibit employees from the free exercise of their right to express their own opinions on matters of public policy, nor their right to express themselves on terms and conditions of their employment. Kirtland prohibits any college employee or representative from adverse or retaliatory action against any employee exercising these rights.
Any employee who retaliates against another employee for reporting, cooperating, or for exercising their lawful rights of expression will be subject to disciplinary action.
First reading June 15, 2017
2nd Reading July 20, 2017
Adopted July 20, 2017
