The following policy applies to all employees and covers all publicly accessible communications via the Internet relating to the Company. This includes, but is not limited to: blogs, discussion forums, newsgroups, and e-mail distribution lists.

 

The Company encourages open communication both internally and externally in all forms. Externally communicating about aspects of the Company that are Confidential the Company’s Information is ALWAYS forbidden and grounds for immediate termination.

It is advised that employees be prudent when participating in such forums. Ask yourself: “Would this communication regarding the Company impair my ability to work with my colleagues on a friendly basis? Would it give an advantage to our competition? Would it make our clients uncomfortable?” If you could answer yes to any of these questions, please avoid this communication.

Specific guidelines when participating in public communications are:
 

• Public communications concerning the Company must not violate any guidelines set forth in the Employee Handbook, whether or not you specifically mention your employment status.

• Participation in public communications may not be done during working hours.

• If you identify yourself as a Company employee, or if you regularly or substantively discuss the Company publicly you must include the following disclaimer: “The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of [your name]. Content published here is not read or approved by the Company before it is posted and does not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the Company.”

• Be sure to respect the laws regarding copyright, trademark, rights of publicity, rights of privacy and other third-party rights. To minimize the risk of a copyright violation, you should provide references to the source(s) of information you use and accurately cite copyrighted works you identify in your on-line and/or social media communications.

• You may not attack personally customers or vendors. You may respectful disagree with the Company’s actions, policy or management.

• You may not disclose any sensitive, proprietary, confidential, or financial information about the Company. This includes  revenues, profits, forecasts, and other financial information, any information relating to price lists, specific brands, products, product lines, customers, clients, operating units, etc. You may not disclose any information about any specific customer or client. Further detail is provided in the Confidentiality section of your employee handbook.

Failure to follow these policies may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.