SCOPE
This policy applies to all employees, management, contractors, temporary staff, trainees, and students on placements.
OVERVIEW
This policy covers employee interaction and representation of our clinic across all communication channels and social media platforms.
PURPOSE
To define the rules for employees when engaging in social collaboration, regardless of the toolset, forum, or medium. The policy aims to uphold the professional standards of our clinic and protect its reputation.
BACKGROUND
Our clinic recognizes that employees use social media and that the lines between work and home are becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish, especially with the widespread use of mobile devices. Employees are personally responsible for the content they publish in both personal and professional capacities on any social media platform.
This policy does not apply to staff members’ personal use of social media platforms where they make no real or perceived reference to our clinic, its staff, clients/customers, services, business partners, government, suppliers, or other stakeholders.
DEFINITIONS
POLICY
No images, content, or confidential information from within our clinic or its management should be posted on any social media platform without express permission from the Clinic Management Team. Employees should not respond to comments or reviews left by clients or customers without prior authorization from the marketing and/or management team.
Where an employee’s comments or profile can identify them as an employee of our clinic], the employee:
- Must ensure any online communication is consistent with our clinic’s Code of Conduct, values, policies, and applicable laws.
- Should state that the views expressed are their own and not those of our clinic. Must not imply they are authorized to speak as a representative of our clinic.
- Must not post any content that could damage our clinic’s reputation or bring it into disrepute.
- Must not post content that includes confidential or proprietary information, offensive or defamatory material, or anything that is obscene, threatening, harassing, or discriminatory.
- Must not use company logos or insignia without written permission from a line manager.
- Can only disclose and discuss publicly available information.
Must adhere to the Terms of Use of the relevant social media platform, as well as copyright, privacy, defamation, contempt of court, discrimination, and other applicable laws, including our clinic’s Privacy Policy.
COMPLIANCE
Our clinic reserves the right to take action against any employee who uses social media in a manner inconsistent with this policy. Management will consider various factors, such as the nature and severity of the post, whether the company or its management team was named, and whether the post caused damage to the company’s reputation or the industry. Disciplinary action may include termination of employment or disengagement of external contractors.
DISCLOSURE OF INAPPROPRIATE USE
Employees who become aware of inappropriate or unlawful online content related to our clinic], or content published in breach of this policy, should report it immediately to the [Practice Manager / HR Department / Line Manager].
PROTOCOL
Company-Related Use
In some instances, an employee’s supervisor may ask them to participate in an online forum. Prior to participation, the employee should:
PERSONAL USE
This policy does not discourage or unduly limit employees from using social media for personal expression or other online activities in their personal lives. However, employees should be aware of the potential risks and damage to our clinic that can occur, either directly or indirectly, from their personal use of social media. Employees must comply with this policy to minimize those risks.
To avoid breaching this policy, employees must:
- Only disclose and discuss publicly available information.
- Ensure that all published content is accurate, not misleading, and complies with all relevant company policies and legal and professional requirements.
- Clearly state that the views expressed are personal and not representative of the company.
- Behave politely and respectfully.
- Adhere to the terms of use for social media platforms or websites, and comply with applicable laws, including copyright, privacy, defamation, contempt of court, discrimination, harassment, and our clinic’s Privacy Policy.
Employees must not:
REFERENCES AND ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS
LEGISLATION
STANDARDS / CODES OF PRACTICE / INDUSTRY GUIDELINES
MODIFICATION
Last Updated August 2024.
Social Media Policy
SCOPE
This policy applies to all employees, management, contractors, temporary staff, trainees, and students on placements.
OVERVIEW
This policy covers employee interaction and representation of our clinic across all communication channels and social media platforms.
PURPOSE
To define the rules for employees when engaging in social collaboration, regardless of the toolset, forum, or medium. The policy aims to uphold the professional standards of our clinic and protect its reputation.
BACKGROUND
Our clinic recognizes that employees use social media and that the lines between work and home are becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish, especially with the widespread use of mobile devices. Employees are personally responsible for the content they publish in both personal and professional capacities on any social media platform.
This policy does not apply to staff members’ personal use of social media platforms where they make no real or perceived reference to our clinic, its staff, clients/customers, services, business partners, government, suppliers, or other stakeholders.
DEFINITIONS
Company: In this policy, ‘the company’ may be used interchangeably with the employer’s trading name.
POLICY
No images, content, or confidential information from within our clinic or its management should be posted on any social media platform without express permission from the Clinic Management Team. Employees should not respond to comments or reviews left by clients or customers without prior authorization from the marketing and/or management team.
Where an employee’s comments or profile can identify them as an employee of our clinic], the employee:
Must adhere to the Terms of Use of the relevant social media platform, as well as copyright, privacy, defamation, contempt of court, discrimination, and other applicable laws, including our clinic’s Privacy Policy.
COMPLIANCE
Our clinic reserves the right to take action against any employee who uses social media in a manner inconsistent with this policy. Management will consider various factors, such as the nature and severity of the post, whether the company or its management team was named, and whether the post caused damage to the company’s reputation or the industry. Disciplinary action may include termination of employment or disengagement of external contractors.
DISCLOSURE OF INAPPROPRIATE USE
Employees who become aware of inappropriate or unlawful online content related to our clinic], or content published in breach of this policy, should report it immediately to the [Practice Manager / HR Department / Line Manager].
PROTOCOL
Company-Related Use
In some instances, an employee’s supervisor may ask them to participate in an online forum. Prior to participation, the employee should:
Ensure they are familiar with relevant policies and protocols and agree on parameters for the project.
PERSONAL USE
This policy does not discourage or unduly limit employees from using social media for personal expression or other online activities in their personal lives. However, employees should be aware of the potential risks and damage to our clinic that can occur, either directly or indirectly, from their personal use of social media. Employees must comply with this policy to minimize those risks.
To avoid breaching this policy, employees must:
Employees must not:
Paying bills online during a meal break.
REFERENCES AND ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS
Use of Computers Policy (if applicable)
LEGISLATION
Fair Work Act 2009 (Commonwealth) or applicable local law.
STANDARDS / CODES OF PRACTICE / INDUSTRY GUIDELINES
Relevant industry guidelines or best practices
MODIFICATION
The Clinic Management Team is responsible for reviewing and updating this policy.
Last Updated August 2024.