Social Media

[TrueBlueTerrier]

This LTB is aimed at BT members in the CWU - however, it does give an indication how businesses deal with "Social Media" and its worth taking some points into account when posting on here.


No 124/2011
Ref :GM/IH
Date: 9th February 2011

To all branches with members in BT


Dear Colleague

Social Media

We have been advised of the following briefing which will appear in People News today:

Briefing – Using social media

There have been incidents involving BT people using social media sites inappropriately.  This briefing will help you to understand your responsibilities when using social media.

Social media tools are a way of communicating and sharing opinions and experiences online and are becoming more and more an everyday way in which people communicate. Examples are blogs, wikis, social networking sites, podcasts and message boards. However, comments posted, whether during work time or outside working hours and whether using BT equipment or personal equipment, must not cause offence to other BT people or bring BT into disrepute.
   
It is important to be mindful of how you represent yourself on social media sites as the lines between public and private, personal and professional are becoming increasingly blurred. If you work for BT and participate in a social site, you should ensure that content you post doesn’t compromise BT’s brand and reputation. Remember, you may well be connected to colleagues and even customers, partners and suppliers. In addition comments that you may think are private may be viewable by others due to your own, or others, privacy settings. Investigations under BTs disciplinary procedures have identified examples of inappropriate behaviour. It is important that you are aware that in some instances this could be viewed as gross misconduct which may result in summary dismissal.  Examples of inappropriate behaviours are listed below:

Derogatory comments about BT,
Derogatory remarks about BT employees,
Derogatory remarks about competitors, third parties, partners or suppliers in the context of BT’s business
Harassment/Bullying
Speculating or commenting on confidential or sensitive company information

This is not an exhaustive list and you should use your common sense and judgement when using these sites.  For more information on the BT policies, please view the security pages at http://security.intra.bt.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and BT’s conduct standards http://humanresources.intra.bt.com/10910" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

The CWU have made clear that we believe this policy to be too restrictive and open to interpretation, however, it has changed considerably from an earlier draft and BT have not sought our agreement.

Clearly the key issue will be the application of the policy by managers and if branches believe it is being unfairly interpreted and applied or abused, then branches should escalate any cases to my office.

Yours sincerely,




Grace Mitchell
Assistant Secretary

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Obviously the BT Intra Links don't work.

[Sippin40oz]

Think we are lucky that Royal Mail doesnt make a point of checking up on everyone here! Most of us would probably get fired for the amount of complaining we do about the company

[Thehair]

Think we are lucky that Royal Mail doesnt make a point of checking up on everyone here! Most of us would probably get fired for the amount of complaining we do about the company

You think not

[DGP1]

I'm going straight to my MySpace page to have a go at RM for being useless......................at least that way nobody will read it

[Dorset Plodder]

I can understand jumping on the last 2 points, but what the hell is there left to discuss if you abide by the first 3 points?
I love working for Royal Mail, it's a Fantastic People Orientated Business, run by Caring, Understanding, Sympathetic and Nice people. I'm very well paid for a job that's got progressively easier over the years and I saunter around my little village with half a bag of mail, talking to my regulars and taking tea and cake.

[jockstrapp]

Well that's me f#cked, bye bye everyone............................................................my @rse perhaps if it was'nt such a shyte company we would'nt have to moan. PPPPPPrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiicccccccccckkkkkkkkkksssssssssssssssssssssssss

[stokes11eg]

These companies have to realise we are customers too----and if they provide a terrible service, as a customer, I will complain! And complain ------until something gets done.