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<br />street cleaning on 16 streets in the northwest corner of the city this past week” instead of “The city is
<br />doing a great job with street cleaning this year!” Corrections must be issued when needed.
<br />• Generally, not include personal opinions in official city statements. One exception is
<br />communications related to promoting a city service. For example, an employee could post the
<br />following on the city’s Facebook page: “My family visited Hill Park this weekend and really enjoyed
<br />the new band shelter.” Employees who have been approved to use social media sites on behalf of the
<br />city should seek assistance from the city administrator on this topic.
<br />• Notify the city administrator if they will be using their personal technology (cell phones,
<br />home computer, cameras, etc.) for city business. Employees should be aware that data transmitted or
<br />stored may be subject to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.
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<br />Section 1.06 Personal Communications and Use of Social Media
<br />It is important for city employees to remember that the personal communications of employees may
<br />reflect on the city, especially if employees are commenting on city business or commenting on issues
<br />that implicate their city employment. As city representatives, employees share in the responsibility of
<br />earning and preserving the public’s trust in the city. An employee’s own personal communications,
<br />such as on social media, can have a significant impact on the public’s belief that all city staff will
<br />carry out city functions faithfully and impartially and without regard to factors such as race,
<br />sex/gender, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or other protected categories. Non-
<br />personal communications (performed within one’s job duties) to members of the public must be
<br />professional at all times. The following guidelines apply to personal communications, including
<br />various forms such as social media (Facebook, Twitter, blogs, YouTube, etc.), letters to the editor of
<br />newspapers, and personal endorsements:
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<br />• Do not share any private or confidential information you have access to as a result of your
<br />city position.
<br />• Any personal communications made on a matter of public concern must not disrupt the
<br />efficiency of the city’s operation, including by negatively affecting morale. Put another way, such
<br />public comments must not undermine any city department’s ability to effectively serve the public.
<br />Disruptive personal communications can include liking or republishing (sharing/retweeting) a social
<br />media post of another individual or entity. The City can act on the personal communication that
<br />violates this policy without waiting for the actual disruption.
<br />• Remember what you write or post cannot easily be undone. It may also be spread to larger
<br />audience than you intended. Use common sense when using email or social media sites. It is a good
<br />idea to refrain from sending or posting information or photos you would not want your boss or other
<br />employees to read, or you would be embarrassed to see in the newspaper. Keep in mind harassment,
<br />bullying, threats of violence, discrimination, or retaliation concerning a co-worker or between co-
<br />workers that would not be permissible in the workplace is not permissible online, even if it is done
<br />after hours, from home and on home computers.
<br />• The City of expects its employees to be fair, courteous, and respectful to supervisors, co-
<br />workers, citizens, customers, and other persons associated with the city. Avoid using statements,
<br />photographs, video or audio that reasonably may be viewed as malicious, obscene, threatening or
<br />intimidating, disparaging, or might constitute harassment or bullying. Examples of such conduct
<br />might include offensive posts meant to intentionally harm someone’s reputation or posts that could
<br />contribute to a hostile work environment on the basis of sex, race, national origin, age, color, creed,
<br />religion, disability, marital status, familial status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity,
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