Internet Policy

[Xiphos]

My current department is stuck in 1959 and is unaware the Internet exists. Except IT who block YouTube and other time wasters from the work network.

My last department had a guy upload a cruiser video to Facebook. After that they instituted a "Social Media" policy. We couldn't identify ourselves as members of the department on the internet. No pics of uniforms or equipment and you couldn't state you worked there.

There weren't any restrictions on what you did off duty as long as you weren't identifying yourself as a member of the department.

What is the Internet use policy, on or off duty, that you guys have if any?

[Jenna]

My current department is stuck in 1959 and is unaware the Internet exists.

Ah, the good old days....

[cajunguy]

My current department is stuck in 1959 and is unaware the Internet exists. Except IT who block YouTube and other time wasters from the work network.

My last department had a guy upload a cruiser video to Facebook. After that they instituted a "Social Media" policy. We couldn't identify ourselves as members of the department on the internet. No pics of uniforms or equipment and you couldn't state you worked there.

There weren't any restrictions on what you did off duty as long as you weren't identifying yourself as a member of the department.

What is the Internet use policy, on or off duty, that you guys have if any?

That pretty much covers our policy too. Ours may be a tad more restrictive than yours.

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[krauty]

That pretty much covers our policy too. Ours may be a tad more restrictive than yours.

.

Same here

[jmur5074]

We don't have a specific internet policy for our time off duty, but we do (like everyone else) have a policy related to how we act and behave off duty.

[Cidp24]

Our policy on social network sites is pretty much common sense and can be boiled down to one sentence: Leave most anything other than the most generic post about the job off your page.

Internet at work policy is pretty much handled by the security program. It won't let you go to sites deemed inappropriate. Most social networking sites, HULU, and most game sites are allowed. Every once in a while IT will come down on someone for spending too much time on them but not often.

[Jks9199]

The department doesn't have a separate policy, but the town has enough of a catch-all to hang someone if they have to. It reads (with a little modification to keep the name out):

The "the place that I work" understands that social networking and Internet services have become a
common form of communication in the workplace and among stakeholders and residents.
Social media sites are online communities of people or organizations that share interests
and/or activities and use a wide variety of Internet technology to make the interaction a rich
and robust experience. Employees that choose to participate in social media sites as a "place that I work"
employee shall adhere to the following guidelines.
1. All "place that I work" policies, rules, regulations and standards of conduct apply to employees that
engage in social media activities while conducting "place that I work" business. Use of a "place that I work" e-mail
address and communicating in an official capacity constitutes conducting "place that I work" business.
2. "place that I work" employees shall request to establish a social networking site from the Department
Head, the Public Information Officer and the IT Department if the employee intends to
use the site to conduct "place that I work" business.
3. Departments have the option of allowing employees to participate in existing social media
sites as part of their job duties. Employees must get approval to participate in other social
media sites as representatives of the "place that I work" from the Department Head and the "place that I work"
Manager. Employees participating in other social media sites must adhere to the
guidelines established within this regulation.
4. Protect personal information, the privacy of residents and the information the "place that I work" holds.
Follow all privacy protections laws, i.e. HIPPA, and protect sensitive and confidential
"place that I work" information.
5. Follow all copyright laws, public record laws, retention laws, fair use and financial
disclosure laws and any other laws that might apply to the "place that I work" or functional area.
6. Do not cite vendors, suppliers, clients, residents, co-workers or other stakeholders without
their approval.
7. The employee must make it clear that the opinions expressed on social media sites are
their own and are not speaking on behalf of the "the place that I work". If content is published
on any website outside of the "the place that I work" and is related to the work the employee
performs or subjects associated with the "place that I work", employees must use a disclaimer such as
this: “The postings on this site are my own and do not necessarily represent the "place that I work"’s
position or opinions.”
8. Do not use ethnic slurs, profanity, personal insults or engage in any conduct that would not
be acceptable in the "place that I work"’s workplace. Avoid comments or topics that may be
considered objectionable or inflammatory.
9. If an employee identifies themselves as a "place that I work" employee, ensure that profiles and related
content are consistent with how the employee intends to present themselves to colleagues,
citizens and other stakeholders.
10. Correct mistakes, and do not alter previous posts without indicating a change has been
made. Frame any comments or opposing views in a positive manner.
11. Add value to the "the place that I work" through your interaction. Provide worthwhile
information and perspective.

[gopherpuckfan]

We don't have a specific internet policy for our time off duty, but we do (like everyone else) have a policy related to how we act and behave off duty.

Same here. We've gotten emails sent out to the department reminding us to watch what we post on social media sites, but that's been about it. I recently got rid of of a couple FB pics of me in uniform and deleted where I worked out of the Info page. Even with strict privacy settings, I felt some of that stuff needed to go and I also changed up my last name a bit to keep people from searching for me.

[pgg]

My current agency really doesn't have anything other then the on duty use of computers.

My old one recommended that no one have social networking sites. We were prohibited from posting anything regarding work also. Didn't matter to me. I didn't have any of those webpage profiles and still don't.

[A3148]

We have the standard rules of conduct and the fact that you can be terminated for violating them. We looked at some model policies that would cover off duty facebook and other social media stuff but when it came down to it we just went with if you shouldn’t do or say it in the public you shouldn’t post it anywhere so the conduct unbecoming stands as the policy.

[luckyme]

No internet policy, nothing blocked. Other than dispatch catching some flak for to much facebook (it was interfering with work) there hasn't been a problem.

[Radar]

My department policy is so strict I'm not supposed to discuss it. I kid not. Let's just say I had to change my username here on O/R because it was easy to determine who I worked for and the department took notice. They didn't see anything wrong with my posts but I was asked to request to change my username.

Now the department has loosened up a little. It's rather easy to find a couple hundred of us on Facebook, but it is always possible to get wrote up for mentioning the department, mentioning who we work for, or showing pictures of us or others in uniform or showing pictures of department vehicles and equipment.

That said, most of you know who I work for, so you guys know I find the policy a bit archaic at times.

[KaiGywer]

I also changed up my last name a bit to keep people from searching for me.

I was wondering about that, I figured you just got married and took his name

[gopherpuckfan]

I was wondering about that, I figured you just got married and took his name

LOL

We don't live in Kentucky