Social Media Policy

Upper Glasgow Council Social Media Policy

1. Purpose

This policy establishes clear standards for the use of social media by council employees, Elected Members, contractors, and volunteers. It aims to protect council’s reputation, ensure compliance with legal and ethical obligations, and safeguard council resources and information.

This policy allows Upper Glasgow Council to effectively communication to our community on strategic objectives, Council decisions, and to provide opportunities to increase engagement through innovative platforms and channels.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all council employees, Elected Members, contractors, and volunteers who use social media in any capacity related to Council business, as well as personal use when using council resources.

3. Principles

Social media is a valuable tool for council communication, engagement, and collaboration with our communities.
All use of social media must comply with Council’s Code of Conduct, privacy obligations, and relevant legislation.
Council staff and officials must not bring council into disrepute through their social media activity.
Approved council accounts will utilise social media platforms to engage and develop our online communities, identify and correct inaccuracies of false allegations made against council, employee or Elected Members in a timely manner and raise the profile of council and its owned services, programs, facilities and resources.
All accounts must be monitored in line with legal requirements and engagements must occur in line with Upper Glasgow Councils Customer Service Standards

4. Use of Council Resources

Prohibition on Personal Use: Council-owned devices (including computers, mobile phones, tablets, and any other IT equipment) must not be used to access, post, or engage with personal social media accounts or content, except by the Communications Team on official social media channels. Council resources are strictly for official council business and approved professional development activities.
No Downloads from Social Media: Downloading any files, documents, applications, or other content from social media platforms to council-owned devices is strictly prohibited. This includes but is not limited to images, videos, documents, executable files, and third-party apps. Exceptions may only be granted by IT in writing for official council purposes.
Separation of Accounts: Council employees and officials or representatives must maintain clear separation between personal and council social media accounts. Council accounts must only be accessed via Council devices for official purposes.

5. Standards of Conduct

Council employees, contractors, volunteers or Elected Members must not use social media to post or share content that is defamatory, offensive, threatening, discriminatory, or otherwise in breach of Council’s Code of Conduct.
Confidential council information must never be disclosed on social media.
Council staff must not use social media to commit the council to any action unless expressly authorised.
All council social media activity must comply with applicable records management and privacy requirements through the Communications Team.
All social media use much comply with third-party platform terms of service and community guidelines, and all local, state and federal laws and regulations.

6. Moderation and Monitoring

Council reserves the right to monitor and audit the use of Council devices and networks for compliance with this policy.
Breaches of this policy may result in disciplinary action, including termination of employment or contract.

7. Training and Awareness

All staff and officials will receive training on this policy and on safe, responsible social media use.
Questions or concerns about social media use should be directed to the council’s IT or Marketing and Communications Team.

8. Review

This policy will be reviewed every two years or as required by changes in legislation, technology, or Council strategy.