I am pleased the City Council’s Corporate Policy & Performance Committee meeting on 22nd September backed my alternative to the originally proposed addition to the council’s Employee Code of Conduct on social networking.
I felt it was vital that the code recognised the rights of employees as citizens (which the version proposed by council staff did not) as well as their responsibilities as employees. I was also concerned the version proposed by staff focused too heavily on the use of social networking sites.
As approved, the new section of the Employee Code of Conduct is:
Balancing Rights and Responsibilities
Citizens have the right to participate in the public life of our community. Employees have a responsibility to the council as their employer and to all those they come into contact with in the course of their employment. Employees must take account of both their rights and responsibilities when interacting with others, including at times when they are not working. It is unacceptable to make, publish or post defamatory or generally unacceptable comments, views or information about the Council, its employees, clients or customers (including school pupils) in any medium including social networking sites. In addition, it is also unacceptable to publish any photographs of clients or customers in same without first obtaining formal permission. This applies even when you are at home on your own computer or using another electronic device.
You may view the report prepared for the meeting by council staff here.
You may view stv’s report on this issue here.
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