Social Media Policy

Society for Underwater Technology Social Media Policy

This policy is intended to help staff make appropriate decisions about the use of social media such as blogs, wikis, social networking websites, podcasts, forums, message boards, or comments on web-articles, such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube.

This policy covers all individuals working at all levels and grades, including senior managers, officers, directors, employees, consultants, contractors, trainees, homeworkers, part-time and fixed-term employees, casual and agency staff and volunteers (collectively referred to as staff in this policy).

All staff are expected to comply with this policy at all times to protect the privacy, confidentiality, and interests of our organisation and our services, employees, partners, customers, and competitors.

Breach of this policy will be taken very seriously.

All staff are responsible for their own compliance with this policy and for ensuring that it is consistently applied. All staff should ensure that they take the time to read and understand it. Any breach of this policy should be reported to the CEO.

Misuse of social media websites can, in certain circumstances, constitute a criminal offence or otherwise give rise to legal liability against you and us. It may also cause embarrassment to us and to our members.

Questions regarding the content or application of this policy should be directed to the CEO.

If you are in any doubt as to what you can and cannot say using social media, then please contact the CEO.

Before using work-related social media you must:

  • have read and understood this policy ; and
  • have sought and gained prior written approval to do so from the CEO.

Rules for use of social media

Whenever you are permitted to use social media in accordance with this policy, you must adhere to the following general rules:

  1. Do not upload, post, forward or post a link to any abusive, obscene, discriminatory, harassing, derogatory or defamatory content.
  2. Never disclose commercially sensitive, anti-competitive, private or confidential information. If you are unsure whether the information you wish to share falls within one of these categories, you should discuss this with the CEO.
  3. When making use of any social media platform, you must read and comply with its terms of use.
  4. Do not post, upload, forward or post a link to chain mail, junk mail, cartoons, jokes or gossip.
  5. Be honest and open, but be mindful of the impact your contribution might make to people’s perceptions of us as an organisation.
  6. If you feel even slightly uneasy about something you are about to publish, then you shouldn’t do it. If in doubt, always discuss it with the CEO first.
  7. Don’t discuss colleagues, competitors, customers or suppliers without their prior approval.
  8. Always consider others’ privacy and avoid discussing topics that may be inflammatory e.g. politics and religion.
  9. If you notice any content posted on social media about us (whether complementary or critical) please report it to the Publications Officer.

Use of personal blogs by SUT Employees, Members and Associates

The following, regarding the use of personal blogs, is part of the social media and social networking policy of the Society for Underwater Technology and its overseas branches (SUT). The absence of, or lack of explicit reference to a specific site does not limit the extent of the application of this policy. Where no policy or guideline exist, employees and committee members should use their professional judgment and take the most prudent action possible. Consult with an SUT officer if you are uncertain.

  1. Personal blogs should have clear disclaimers that the views expressed by the author in the blog are the author’s alone and do not necessarily represent the views of the SUT. Be clear and write in first person. Make your writing clear that you are speaking for yourself and not on behalf of the SUT.
  2. Although your personal blog does not necessarily reflect the views of the SUT (as in 1.), your online presence can affect the reputation of the SUT. Ensure that your actions captured via images, posts, or comments do not adversely affect the reputation of the SUT.
  3. Information published on your blog(s) should comply with the company’s confidentiality and disclosure of proprietary data policies. This also applies to comments posted on other blogs, forums, and social networking sites.
  4. Be respectful to the SUT, its employees, members and volunteers and other individuals, companies and competitors.
  5. Do not reference or cite organizations, clients, partners, or customers without their express consent. In all cases, do not publish any information regarding a client during the engagement.
  6. Respect copyright laws, and reference or cite sources appropriately. Plagiarism applies online as well.
  7. Company logos and trademarks may not be used without written consent.
  8. The use of foul, inappropriate or insulting language is strictly forbidden.