SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY

Effective Date: November 29, 2021

Policy Statement

Social media communications are a key part of CERIC’s ongoing communications strategy. CERIC is committed to ensuring social media is used appropriately and content enhances and fulfils our mission and vision and aligns with our values.

Scope of the Social Media Policy

This policy governs the publication of and commentary on social media by CERIC staff related to its priorities, projects, programs and services.

CERIC staff includes salaried employees, contract staff and internship students for events and projects, and more.

Social media means any facility for online publication and commentary, including, but not limited to, blogs, social networking sites like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.

This policy applies to all of CERIC’s work: programs, projects, publications, partnerships and events.

This policy does not supersede or amend any CERIC employment commitments, policies or the obligations of CERIC employees under CERIC’s Human Resource Policy or CERIC’s Statement Respecting Confidentiality.

Social media processes

CERIC social media accounts are managed by CERIC’s Specialist, Digital, Marketing and Communications, with oversight from the Lead, Technology and Design. CERIC’s social media accounts are not to be accessed or used by staff without permission from and co-ordination with the Lead.

Content

CERIC staff may not post content on CERIC’s accounts which is offensive or harassing in nature, or abusive, racist, sexist, homophobic or xenophobic. CERIC’s Human Resources Policy will act as a guide to determine inappropriate content and behaviour. CERIC staff may not post content that is deemed confidential, as covered under CERIC’s Statement Respecting Confidentiality.

Staff may not represent themselves on their personal social media accounts as official spokespersons for CERIC. This includes images; staff may not use CERIC’s logo, and CERIC family of logos, as their avatar or images that include CERIC’s logo, and CERIC family of logos, as their avatar on their personal accounts.

CERIC social media content is determined by CERIC’s strategic plan, as approved by the Board of Directors. Personal social media posts by staff should not give the perception that CERIC is taking a position on topics outside of the priorities and plan. For more on CERIC’s strategic mandates visit: https://ceric.ca/about/.

CERIC social media content is non-partisan as CERIC is a non-partisan charitable organization and works with all stakeholders. Staff may not link politically partisan content to CERIC posts, whether responding to account posts directly or naming or tagging CERIC in personal posts.

Periodic review

CERIC will review its Social Media Policy every three years. All employees will be provided with a copy.

This social media policy has been developed and is in place to assist staff to adhere to this policy. The content of this policy will be updated periodically as required.