Social media & email – do you know the policy?

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The Trust has detailed HR policies which govern staff use of social media and email.

Social media           

Do you use social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter? If so, it would be worth familiarising yourself with the Use of Digital Media Policy. 

You should be aware that the content of such sites is in the public domain.  If you are identified with the Trust, you are representing both the organisation and your profession.  This means that you should ensure that you use social media responsibly and with restraint. 

Email

In using Trust e-mail you should observe the following standards:

  • Email should be used for work related purposes, but limited personal use is allowed;
  • Email must not be used to make defamatory or offensive comments;
  • Patient identifiable data must be sent using NHSMail, or must be encrypted;
  • The creation or forwarding of junk mail or mass mailings which may cause congestion is not allowed.

You should think carefully about the contents of any email before you send it and should never say anything in email you would not be prepared to say in hard print. 

The Trust reserves the right to monitor email communications in accordance with the Email Use Policy.  However, that monitoring will only take place when it is deemed to be necessary, and for example:

  • for technical maintenance or to monitor for viruses and external threats;
  • in connection with the prevention or detection of criminal or illegal actions;
  • where it is necessary when a member of staff is on holiday or on sick leave.

The Trust will be looking to update the policy soon; any revisions will go for consultation through the staff partnership forum (SPF) as per our normal processes, and changes then shared on Need to Know – so please watch this space.

For more information, view the Email Use Policy and Use of Digital Media (including Social Media and/or Networking Sites) Policy or contact a member of your HR team.


Published 10th September, 2015

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