Blogging and Social Media Policies

A blogging or social media policy describes how an employee or volunteer should represent themselves and the organization online. It also describes whose time and whose equipment may be used for blogging or other social media activities, and it also clarifies when someone is representing themselves, and when they are representing an organization. I’ve written blog entries based on a corporate policy at BMC Software, and it was helpful to know what were the expectations for my time investment and also where privacy lines could be drawn.

Many blogging policies are still either non-existent or in infancy, yet they can help your organization free up employees or volunteers to blog about their passions and start real conversations. Easter Seals, a non-profit organization whose goal is to help people with disabilities achieve more independence, has a policy that encompasses all social media representation. In fact, it is called the Internet Public Discourse Policy and I first found it reading Beth Kanter’s blog where she has a blog entry that includes a copy of the Easter Seals Internet Public Discourse Policy. While blogging policies are important, in fact, these are Public Relations and publications policies, it’s just that blogging makes every one a journalist of sorts and publishing is faster than ever.

I think this example is a really good one for its entirety and completeness, and also for the transparency it encourages while still protecting the heart of the goals of the organization. It also tells people what the main goals are for outreach through the tools the Internet offers, which I think helps focus the efforts.

Protection of image and brand is an important part of a blogging policy. While the employee needs to feel protected, the organization should also feel like it can protect its brand. It’s certainly a balancing act. As Blue Avocado points out in, “What Should We Do About an Employee’s Outrageous Blog?”

Employee blogging could be deemed protected speech under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) or whistleblower laws. The NLRA allows employees to discuss the terms and conditions of employment with the purpose of engaging in collective action to change them.

The Easter Seals example is so down-to-earth, well-written, and pragmatic. It really shines. Some of the highlights include “Be Smart. Write What You Know. Work Matters.” This is an organization that really “gets it” and their policy reflects that. How’s your public discourse policy looking? Could it use a Blogging update? We’d love to hear your stories as well.