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PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS & SOCIAL MEDIA #165
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<br />It is important for city employees to remember that the personal communications of employees may
<br />reflect on the city, especially if employees are commenting on city business or commenting on issues that
<br />implicate their city employment. As city representatives, employees share the responsibility of earning
<br />and preserving the public’s trust in the city. An employee’s own personal communications, such as on
<br />social media, can have a significant impact on the public’s belief that all city staff will carry out ci ty
<br />functions faithfully and impartially and without regard to factors such as race, sex/gender, religion,
<br />national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or other protected categories. Nonpersonal communications
<br />(performed within one’s job duties) to members of the public must be professional at all times.
<br />The following guidelines apply to personal communications, including various forms such as any social
<br />media (Facebook, Twitter, blogs, YouTube, etc.), letters to the editor of newspapers, and personal
<br />endorsements:
<br />• Do not share any private or confidential information you have access to as a result of your city
<br />position.
<br />• Any personal communications made on a matter of public concern must not disrupt the
<br />efficiency of the city’s operation, including by negatively affecting morale. Put another way,
<br />such public comments must not undermine any city department’s ability to effectively serve
<br />the public. Disruptive personal communications can include liking or republishing
<br />(sharing/retweeting) a social media post of another individual or entity. The city can act on
<br />personal communication that violates this policy without waiting for the actual disruption.
<br />• Remember that what you write, or post is public, and will be so for a long time. It may also be
<br />spread to a larger audience than you intended. Use common sense when using email or social
<br />media sites. It is a good idea to refrain from sending or posting information or photos that you
<br />would not want your boss or other employees to read, or that you would be embarrassed to
<br />see in the newspaper. Keep in mind harassment, bullying, threats of violence, discrimination,
<br />or retaliation concerning a co-worker or between co-workers that would not be permissible in
<br />the workplace is not permissible between co-workers online, even if it is done after hours,
<br />from home and on home computers.
<br />• The City of Lake Elmo expects its employees to be fair, courteous, and respectful to supervisors,
<br />co-workers, citizens, customers, and other persons associated with the city. Avoid using
<br />statements, photographs, video or audio that can be reasonably viewed as malicious, obscene,
<br />threatening or intimidating, disparaging, or might constitute harassment or bullying. Examples
<br />of such conduct might include offensive posts meant to intentionally harm someone’s
<br />reputation or posts that could contribute to a hostile work environment on the basis of sex,
<br />race (including traits associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and
<br />hairstyles such as braids, locs and twists), national origin, age, color, creed, religion, disability,
<br />marital status, familial status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender
<br />expression, status with regard to public assistance or membership or activity in a local
<br />commission.
<br />• If you publish something related to city business, identify yourself and use a disclaimer such
<br />as, “I am an employee of the City of Lake Elmo. However, these are my own opinions and do
<br />not represent those of the City of Lake Elmo.”
<br />• City resources, working time, or official city positions cannot be used for personal profit or
<br />business interests, or to participate in personal political activity. Some examples: a building
<br />inspector could not use the city’s logo, email, or working time to promote his/her side business
<br />as a plumber; a parks employee should not access a park after hours even though he or she
<br />may have a key; a clerk, while working at City Hall, should not campaign for a friend who is
<br />running for City Council.
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