Thispolicy does not discourage nor unduly limit employees using social media forpersonal expression or other on-line activities in their personal life. 

Employeesshould be aware of and understand the potential risks and damage to DiamondCreek Medical Centre that can occur, either directly or indirectly from theirpersonal use of social media and should comply with this policy to ensure thatthe risk is minimised.

Employeesare personally responsible for content published in their personal capacity onany form of social media platform.  When in doubt, employees can seekguidance from the Practice Manager on how to comply with the followingobligations.

Toavoid breaching this policy employees must:

·        onlydisclose and discuss publicly available information

·        ensurethat all content published is accurate and not misleading and complies with allrelevant practice policies and other legal and professional requirements

·        expresslystate that stated views are personal and are not representative of the practice

·        behavepolitely and respectfully

·        adhereto the terms of use for using the social media platform or website, and adhereto legislation including copyright, privacy, defamation, contempt of court,discrimination, harassment and any other applicable laws, and the Practice’sPrivacy Policy.

·        donot refer to the practice, other staff or contractors without their approval.Do not criticise or denigrate the practice, its staff and contractors, ororganisations it is professionally associated with.

·        thereshould be no photos taken inside the workplace which could capture documents,paperwork, patient charts, or other information protected by privacy law. Donot disclose any patient information without the express consent of the patient

·        donot accept “friend” requests from people you know only as a patient of thepractice.

·        donot disclose any confidential information relating to practice systems.

·        useof social media should not interfere with your work.

Employeesmust not: 

·        postmaterial that is offensive, obscene, defamatory, threatening, harassing,bullying, discriminatory, hateful, racist, sexist, infringes copyright,constitutes a contempt of court, breaches a Court suppression order, or isotherwise unlawful

·        implythat they are authorised to speak as a representative of the practice, nor givethe impression that the views expressed are those of the practice

·        usethe identity or likeness of another employee, contractor or other member of thepractice

·        usetheir practice email address or any practice logos or insignia that may givethe impression of official support or endorsement of their personal comment

·        useor disclose any confidential information or personal information obtained intheir capacity as an employee or contractor of the practice

·        postmaterial that is, or might be construed as, threatening, harassing, bullying ordiscriminatory towards another employee or contractor of the Practice 

·        commentor post any material that might otherwise cause damage to the practice’sreputation or bring it into disrepute

Whenaccessing social media while at work, you must do so in accordance with DiamondCreek Medical Centre’s Internet and Email Usage policies, which requires you touse these resources reasonably, in a manner that does not interfere with yourwork and is not inappropriate or excessively accessed. 

Examplesof reasonable use include: 

·        AccessingFacebook during an official break time 

·        Replyingto a family member’s email 

·        Payingbills online during a meal break 

Itdoes not include promoting personal business or private enterprises.