USPS Policy Regarding Social Media Such As Facebook

ASM Revision: Social Media Policy

Effective October 20, 2011, the Postal Service™ is revising the Administrative Support Manual (ASM), by add­ing new Part 363 which delineates the Postal Service policy concerning social media.

For the purpose of this policy, “social media” is defined as any form of online publishing or discussion, including but not limited to: Blogs, Wikis, YouTube, Podcasts, Social Networking — Social sites (such as Facebook, MySpace, and LinkedIn), Twitter/Microblogs, and Web 2.0.

363 Social Media

363.1 Policy
For the purpose of this policy, “social media” is defined as any form of online publishing or discussion, including but not limited to: Blogs, Wikis, YouTube, Podcasts, Social Networking – Social sites (such as Facebook, MySpace, and LinkedIn), Twitter/Microblogs, and Web 2.0.

Whether Postal Service employees choose to participate in social media on their own time is their decision. However, when using social media in a personal capacity, employees may not speak for or act on behalf of the Postal Service.

All uses of social media related to the conduct of official postal business require management consent.

Contractors and consultants are prohibited from represent­ing the Postal Service in the use of any social media tool. While contractors may create content on behalf of the Postal Service, only Postal Service employees may identify them­selves as Postal Service spokespersons and post informa­tion relating to the conduct of official postal business.

363.2 Responsible Use of Social Media

The following rules and regulations apply to Postal Service employees who use social media in their official capacity to communicate with the public or Postal Service employees.

a. The web is not anonymous. Generally, everything that you post is accessible to anyone with a browser. Assume that everything you post can be traced back to the Postal Service and to you personally. While some web sites have a restricted content feature, keep in mind that external content is NOT as secure as content that resides on the Postal Service’s Intra­net. Everything you publish will reflect on the Postal Service’s brand and reputation.

b. All proprietary information and information cov­ered by the Privacy Act are off limits. Do not post Postal Service information that has not already been made available publicly by the Postal Service. Post­ing material or online discussion of information relat­ed to Postal Service revenue forecasts, personnel matters, future products, unannounced pricing deci­sions, undisclosed financial results, or similar matters is prohibited and might result in legal action against you and/or the Postal Service. It is your responsibility to respect and protect the Postal Service’s confiden­tial information by not commenting on these topics. When in doubt about what discussion topics or com­ments are appropriate, please contact your immedi­ate supervisor, Corporate Communications, or the Office of the General Counsel for guidance.

c. Refer any media inquiries to Corporate Communi­cations. If your blog or other social media applica­tion receives a media inquiry about the Postal Service or its products, services, or employees, you must call Corporate Communications before re­sponding at 202-268-2155.

d. Be respectful. Whether in the actual or virtual world, your interactions and discourse should be respectful. The Postal Service Standard of Conduct states, “Employees are expected to maintain harmo­nious working relationships and not to do anything that would contribute to an unpleasant working envi­ronment.” Do not verbally attack other individuals or companies. This includes fellow employees, contrac­tors, customers, vendors, and competitors.

e. Legal requirements. You must comply with brand, trademark, copyright, fair use, privacy, and financial disclosure laws. If you have questions about these, contact the Postal Service Law Department.

f. Be responsible. Abide by existing Postal Service pri­vacy, information security, ethics, and copyright pol­icies. No employee shall post content included in the below listed categories:

1. Information that infringes on another individual’s privacy rights.
2. Personally identifiable or sensitive information, including sensitive business information (e.g., information on Postal Service contracting agree­ments, disciplinary actions, pending administra­tive hearings, and internal memos).
3. Personal attacks, accusations, threats, or discrim­inatory comments targeting specific individuals or groups.
4. Endorsements of political parties, candidates, or groups.
5. Discussions of topics unrelated to the Postal Ser­vice’s mission.
6. Profanity — any content that is generally consid­ered obscene, deceptive, or defamatory.
7. Content advocating unlawful action.
8. Material that violates copyright laws.

g. Be transparent. Use your real name, identify that you work for the Postal Service, and be clear about your role. It is never acceptable to hide your identity or try to plant statements that appear to be from an objective observer when they are really made by Postal Service employees in their official capacity.

363.3 Additional Conduct and Privacy Policies

Additional conduct and privacy policies that apply to Postal Service employees:

a. Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM), 660 (Conduct).
b. Postal Service Standards of Conduct, ELM 665.
c. Handbook AS-353, Guide to Privacy, the Freedom of Information Act, and Records Management.
d. Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch, 5 CFR 2635.
e. Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employ­ees of the United States Postal Service, 5 CFR 7001.
f. Handbook AS-805, Information Security.
g. Administrative Support Manual, 333.6, Endorsement of Nonpostal Products, Services, or Businesses.
h. The Hatch Act, 5 USC §§ 7321–7326.
i. The criminal conflict of interest laws, 18 USC §§ 201–203, 205, and 207–209.
j. The Anti-Lobbying Act, 18 USC § 1913.

363.4 Breach of Policy

All Postal Service employees are responsible for complying with this policy. Failure to do so may result in corrective action up to, and including, removal from the Postal Service.

Read This Policy Here

7 Responses to "USPS Policy Regarding Social Media Such As Facebook"

  1. I was just advised to not make any videos or take photos while in my postal uniform regardless of the content. Is this a violation?

  2. I work for one of the package services, and as an employee, I would never put company information on any site or on FB. You state you have the first amendment right, but if you state disparing or customer information in a public forum, your employer may in fact take action. I think a word to the wise is if you use a social media, filter your comments. Don’t post work related issues, and use the format to share personal information. Stating work related items is just not cool. I’ve seen postings on FB that if I were their employer, I would be pretty frustrated. Everything from how the boss is such and such, to how a fellow employee is lazy, or a company they are working with are a problem. I saw last evening a local business owner posting a negative comment about another business in town. Just plain stupid.

  3. Can someone tell me why is it when I tell the truth on these darn blogs they dont get posted.

  4. Of course we have to be respectful. And you know I enjoy doing my job for our customers. Guess what no one and I mean no one will ever tell me what to say. You notice they are telling you to lie to the public like they do. They are just doing this by threaten you will be disciplined and or up to removal. I will never lie for them. I will not protect the folks that kiss upper managements A@@ while they sit back and laugh while screwing the general public. Last time I checked this is my personal computer on my own time, so 1st amendment it is.

  5. The facility I work at last posted the results for the Voice of the Employee (V.O.E.),survey for fiscal year 2011’s Quarter 1.
    People have filled out surveys for later quarters.
    But nearly a month since fiscal year 2011 ended we’ve yet to see another V.O.E. scoreboard.
    Has this information been classified confidential?
    Or is this management’s idea of “transparency?”

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