GILLETTE, Wyo. – The Campbell County Commissioners will review the social media use rules for employees during their upcoming meeting on Tuesday.
According to a memo sent to the commission from Brandy Elder, county human resources executive director, the county’s existing policy should include “productive work environment verbiage” due to the everchanging social media environment.
While not specifically banning posting work-related complaints on social media outlets, the revisions are intended to remind county employees that such complaints are most likely to be resolved by speaking directly to co-workers, according to the memo.
“Posting such work-related complaints to a social media outlet is less likely to resolve conflicts or concerns,” Elder wrote.
Should employees choose to post complaints or criticism regarding the county or county-related topics, the revisions state that they must avoid using statements, photographs, and video or audio that could reasonably be viewed as malicious, defamatory, obscene, threatening, or intimidating towards those working for or on behalf of the county.
This could include offensive posts intentionally harming someone’s reputation or posts that could contribute to a hostile work environment, per the memo, which states that inappropriate postings on any topic directed at anyone or no specific party will not be tolerated.
For employees that fail to adhere to the revisions, the county says they will be subject to disciplinary action that could include termination of employment.
The commission will consider the social media policy revisions during their meeting on March 21.
