Social Media Policy 2021

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Social media policy 2021

Social Media Guide - March 2021.pdf

dealing with conduct issues involving Social Media.pdf

Inapprop use of internet and email RM systems.pdf

[Glenno]

So good of you TBT- attachment missing off the LTB that I received

[Dozen]

Seems like every company and organisation under the sun has to have it's own "social media presence" now, no matter how mundane.

Great I just received a packet from the Royal Mail, so i'm going to follow them on Twitter! Give me a break.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

So good of you TBT- attachment missing off the LTB that I received

Happy to help.

[ctpunk]

I found this policy a bit against freedom of speach.
Why the company introducing policy about what I can can't in my spare time on my private social media profile?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

I found this policy a bit against freedom of speach.
Why the company introducing policy about what I can can't in my spare time on my private social media profile?

To be frank its not against "Freedom of Speech" as you won't be prosecuted, and in any case "Freedom of Speech" is and never has been an absolute right in law and its not actually the correct term.

Article 10 Freedom of expression
The right to freedom of expression is crucial in a democracy – information and ideas help to inform political debate and are essential to public accountability and transparency in government.

Article 10 gives everyone the right to freedom of expression, which includes the freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without State interference.

This includes the right to communicate and to express oneself in any medium, including through words, pictures, images and actions (including through public protest and demonstrations).

The type of expression protected includes:

political expression (including comment on matters of general public interest);
artistic expression; and
commercial expression, particularly when it also raises matters of legitimate public debate and concern.


For obvious reasons political expression is given particular precedence and protection. Artistic expression - vital for fostering individual fulfilment and the development of ideas – is also robustly protected.

To ensure that free expression and debate is possible, there must be protection for elements of a free press, including protection of journalistic sources.

The right to free expression would be meaningless if it only protected certain types of expression – so (subject to certain limitations) the right will protect both popular and unpopular expression, including speech that might shock others.

Interferences on free expression usually involve restrictions on publication; penalties for publication (such as criminalising speech or awarding damages); requiring journalists to reveal their sources; imposing disciplinary measures or confiscating material.

Limitations

Article 10 is a qualified right and as such the right to freedom of expression may be limited. Article 10 provides that the exercise of this freedom “since it carries with it duties and responsibilities” may be limited as long as the limitation:

is prescribed by law;
is necessary and proportionate; and
pursues a legitimate aim, namely:
o the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety;

o the prevention of disorder or crime;

o the protection of health or morals;

o the protection of the reputation or rights of others;

o preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence; or

o maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary.

and the one that gets covered by the Social Media Policy is - the protection of the reputation or rights of others.

So you can say what you want as long as you accept the responsibility that goes with it. One of those responsibilities is that you can't bring RM/PFWW into disrepute without due cause. If you do then prosecution is likely under the law for libel/defamation/slander as appropriate.

[ctpunk]

Freedom of speech as right to say the true

Employees must not take or distribute images (including videos) inside any Royal Mail Group sites. By disclosing such images, employees could put their colleagues, themselves and Royal Mail’s business at risk Employees of Royal Mail Group are bound by the Official Secrets Act or Personal Declaration, which would have been signed when starting employment. This is a contractual document which applies during and after employment with Royal Mail Group and so any information should not be disclosed without prior authorisation
Misleading- you can upload picture from work, as far as you not manipulate it's content by software or description.

Avoid making damaging or libellous comments about Royal Mail Group and its products. If an employee has concerns about serious wrongdoing within the business (such as fraud) they should refer to the Speak Up: Whistleblowing Policy. If they believe they have a genuine grievance, they should raise this with their manager or use the Grievance Policy
Misleading- If it's true you can, but must be sure it's not opinion.

Royal Mail Group brands or logos must not be used
Misleading- As far as it shows true- ie picture of your van you can post it on FB.

If employees discuss their work on social media sites (particularly Twitter or blogs), they are recommended to use an appropriate disclaimer along the lines of, ‘The views I express here are mine along and do not represent the views of Royal Mail Group’
if we consider royalmailchat as social network it should be aded to plenty of posts here

Employees are advised to check privacy settings regularly as sites such as Facebook have a tendency to adjust them when they make updates
yes- make sure your manager can't see it- easiest way is to block him/her ;)


Bulling and harassment- You don't need a policy to comply but need a brain and respect to others- not only within RMG.

Copyright and fair usage restrictions (where some limited activities are allowed that don’t infringe copyright law) should be respected and prior permission should be given to use copyright protection material. The unauthorised use of copyright may result in legal action
Hypocrisy one: Handouts messagebords at our depot- full of potentially copyrighted and not licensed materials. Shell I not contact authors of those that someone is using they copyrighted material fo bussines purposes as this is against company policy, but it's OK if someone at depot download images from internet and use it i.e. in handouts?


This Policy is to cover wrongdoing. And this is why in my personal opinion it is against freedom of speech. There was handout before privatisation saying not to speak to media or someone who may be related to media. RMG should be committed to "rightdoing" and not be afraid the true.