OLJ Assignment: Policy for Employee Use of Social Media Platforms

Shirley Garcia

Student ID #: 11468539

Info 506: Social Networking for Information Professionals

Lyn Hay—Fall 2010

5 Key Points for Social Media Policy: employees use of Web 2.0 tools and spaces for work and personal use while using the organizations’ computers/network and time. 

1.)  How do we want to use these social media platforms? How can they benefit the company/school.

2.)  What are the goals for using these platforms?

3.)  What is acceptable conduct for meeting these goals?

4.)  Which platforms are best to use for meeting these goals?

5.)  What rules/guidelines will be of the greatest benefit, and what are the consequences for violating these rules?

Every company or organization needs to assess what tools they would like to incorporate and why. The goals will vary from organization to organization (marketing, educational, informative), yet the methods used to evaluate which tools are of the greatest benefit and the goals of their use are the same. Research and consultation with all parties involved in their use as well as technology professionals. Is the goal to share ideas and communicate with the patrons of a library or parents and students within a district? Is it to engage students with learning methods that will pique their interests? Is it for interoffice collaboration? Assessing goals and needs as well as what platforms are relevant is of primary importance.

Schools/organizations etc.- also need to create comprehensive rules/guidelines for the use of these technologies. These should be based on the goals created as well as policies regarding proper conduct, privacy, and professional behavior already in place to protect staff, students, patrons, districts etc.-These rules should be very clearly delineated. All individuals who participate in the use of these technologies should be aware in writing of these policies and have the opportunity to agree or disagree with the rules and regulations. If individuals disagree, they should have the right to refuse participation or to have their opinion heard. Additionally, disciplinary actions which may occur as the result of violating the policy should also be clearly created, enforced, and understood by all participants, and/or those affected by the policy.