Policy Manual

Community Care respects the right of employees to use social networking sites and write blogs and does not want to discourage employees from self-publishing and self-expression.  This policy covers instant messages, text, video, photos and audio and specifically includes websites such as Facebook, MySpace, You Tube, Twitter as well as various chat rooms and internet blogs.  Employees are expected to follow the guidelines and policies set forth to provide a clear line between you as the individual and you as the employee.  While we respect the employee’s rights of self-expression, in order to protect the agency’s interests and ensure employees focus on their job duties, employees must adhere to the following rules:

1. Employees may not engage in such activities during work time or at any time with agency equipment, licensed software or property unless specified by their supervisor for work purposes.
2. Employees cannot use blogs or social networking sites to harass, threaten, discriminate or disparage against employees or anyone associated with or doing business with the agency.
3. All policies regarding confidentiality should be followed.  Information regarding persons receiving services must not be disclosed. Other employee’s privacy rights must be respected.
4. If an employee chooses to identify themselves as a Community Care employee, please understand that some readers may view them as a spokesperson for the agency. Because of this possibility, we ask that employees state that the views expressed in their blog or social networking area are their own and not those of the company, nor of any person or organization affiliated or doing business with Community Care.
5. If an employee mentions the agency while engaging in blogging or social networking and also expresses a political opinion or an opinion regarding the agency’s actions, they must specifically note that the opinion expressed is their personal opinion and not the agency’s opinion.  This is necessary to preserve the agency’s goodwill among stakeholders such as funding and regulatory bodies, referral sources, families and others.
6. Any conduct that is illegal if expressed in any other forum is expressly prohibited.

Further, the agency encourages all employees to consider the manner and the speed by which information can be relayed using technology, and how such information can be misunderstood. We promote a culturally sensitive environment.  We expect that any employee who is engaging in social networking is sensitive to cultural, ethnic, religious, sexual orientation and other beliefs.  While an employee’s free time and personal equipment is generally not subject to any restrictions by the agency, the agency urges all employees to not post information about the agency or their jobs which could lead to morale issues in the workplace or which could detrimentally affect the agency’s interests.  We expressly reserve the right to discuss questionable material with the employee.

Employees must use their best judgment.  If you are about to post something that makes you uncomfortable, or that could be offensive to others, you should review the rules above.