Policies.

Applicability

This policy applies to every employee, part-time or full-time, currently employed by First Tennessee Human Resource Agency (FTHRA) in any capacity who posts any material — written, audio, video, or otherwise — on any website, blog, or other medium accessible via the internet.

For purposes of this policy, social media is content created by individuals using accessible and scalable technologies through the internet. Examples include Facebook, blogs, RSS, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and other emerging platforms.

Agency-owned or created social media

An employee may not characterize him or herself as representing the Agency, directly or indirectly, in any online posting unless pursuant to a written policy of the Agency or the direction of a supervisor. All Agency social media sites directly or indirectly representing to be an official statement of the Agency must be created pursuant to this policy and be approved by FTHRA's Executive Director.

The Agency's primary and predominant internet presence shall remain www.fthra.org and no other website, blog, or social media site shall characterize itself as such.

A social media site is subject to Tennessee's Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-101, et seq.) and Open Meetings Act (T.C.A. § 8-44-101, et seq.) and shall not be used to circumvent or otherwise violate these laws. All information posted on a social media site shall be a public record and subject to public inspection.

Content not allowed on Agency social media

• Comments not topically related to the particular article being commented on
• Comments in support of or opposition to political campaigns or ballot measures
• Profane language or content
• Content that promotes, fosters, or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, national origin, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation
• Sexual content or links to sexual content
• Solicitations of commerce
• Conduct or encouragement of illegal activity
• Information that may tend to compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems
• Content that violates a legal ownership interest of any other party

Non-Agency social media

When posting in a non-official capacity, an employee or official shall take reasonable care not to identify themselves as an official or employee of the Agency. When the identity of an employee or official posting is apparent, they shall clearly state that the post is in a private capacity.

Adopted August 2016.