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25 12/2024
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<br />#165 PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS & SOCIAL MEDIA
<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 and
<br />preserving the public’s trust in the city. An employee’s own personal communications, such as on social
<br />media, can have a significant impact on the public’s belief that all city staff will carry out city functions
<br />faithfully and impartially and without regard to factors such as race, sex/gender, religion, national origin,
<br />disability, sexual orientation, or other protected categories. Nonpersonal communications (performed
<br />within one’s job duties) to members of the public must always be professional. The following guidelines
<br />apply to personal communications, including various forms such as any social media (Facebook, Twitter,
<br />blogs, YouTube, etc.), letters to the editor of newspapers, and personal endorsements:
<br />• Do not share any private or confidential information you have access to because of your city
<br />position.
<br />• Any personal communications made on a matter of public concern must not disrupt the efficiency of
<br />the city’s operation, including by negatively affecting morale. Put another way, such public
<br />comments must not undermine any city department’s ability to effectively serve the public.
<br />Disruptive personal communications can include liking or republishing (sharing/retweeting) a social
<br />media post of another individual or entity. The city can act on personal communication that violates
<br />this policy without waiting for the actual disruption.
<br />• Remember that what you write or post is public, and may be permanent. It may also be spread to
<br />a larger audience than you intended. Use common sense when using email or social media sites. It
<br />is a good idea to refrain from sending or posting information or photos that you would not want
<br />your boss or other employees to read, or that you would be embarrassed to see in the newspaper.
<br />Keep in mind harassment, bullying, threats of violence, discrimination, or retaliation concerning a
<br />co-worker or between co-workers that would not be permissible in the workplace is not
<br />permissible between co-workers online, even if it is done after hours, from home and on personal
<br />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 of
<br />such conduct might include offensive posts meant to intentionally harm someone’s reputation or
<br />posts that could contribute to a hostile work environment on the basis of sex, race (including traits
<br />associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and hairstyles such as braids, locs and
<br />twists), national origin, age, color, creed, religion, disability, marital status, familial status, veteran
<br />status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, status with regard to public
<br />assistance or membership or activity in a local commission.
<br />• If you publish something related to city business, identify yourself and use a disclaimer such as, “I
<br />am an employee of the City of Lake Elmo. However, these are my own opinions and do not
<br />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 their side business as a
<br />plumber; a parks employee should not access a park after hours even though they may have a key;
<br />a clerk, while working at City Hall, should not campaign for a friend who is running for City Council.
<br />• Personal social media account names or email names should not be tied to the city (e.g., Lake Elmo
<br />Cop).
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