At SAFMP and our associated practices and clinics we understand that social media can be a fun and rewarding way to share your life and opinions with family, friends and co-workers around the world. However, use of social media also presents certain risks and carries with it certain responsibilities. To assist you in making responsible decisions about your use of social media, we have established these guidelines for appropriate use of social media.

Social media has many forms. This policy must be broadly applied to all forms of social media; these include but are not restricted to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Share, Blogging, Messenger, message boards, chat rooms, electronic newsletters, online forums, social networking sites, and wikis.

This policy applies to all staff and associates who work at each of our practices and clinics .

Guidelines

• Employees need to be aware that their actions may have an impact on their individual image as well as the practice's image. The information that employees post or publish may be public information for a long time. Employees must use their best judgement in posting material that is neither inappropriate nor harmful to the practice, its employees or patients. Employees must be clear that they are solely responsible for what they post online. The practice should not be held liable for any repercussions the employee's content may generate.

• Our practice may observe the content and information made available by employees through social media.

• Examples of prohibited social media conduct include posting commentary, content or images that are defamatory, pornographic, proprietary, harassing, or libellous. Inappropriate postings that may include discriminatory remarks, harassment, and threats of violence or similar inappropriate or unlawful conduct will not be tolerated and may subject you to disciplinary action up to and including termination. Examples of such conduct might include offensive posts meant to intentionally harm someone's reputation or posts that could contribute to a hostile work environment on the basis of race, sex, disability, religion, or any other status protected by law or company policy.

• Employees are not to publish, post or release any information that is considered confidential or not public.

• Employees must get appropriate permission before referring or posting images of current or former employees, contractors or patients.

• Employees must show respect for others' and others' opinions in all posts. If you decide to post complaints or criticism, avoid using statements, photographs, video, or audio that reasonably could be viewed as malicious, obscene, threatening, or intimidating, that disparage patients, colleagues, peers, or suppliers, or that might constitute harassment or bullying.

• Make sure you are always honest and accurate when posting information or news, and if you make a mistake, correct it quickly. Never post any information or rumours that you know to be false about SAFMP, fellow staff and allied health practitioners, patients and suppliers.

• Maintain the confidentiality of our practices and clinics and comply with the requirements of the Australian Privacy Principals.

• Do not create a link from your blog, website, or other social networking site to the SAFMP without identifying yourself as an employee. Never represent yourself as a spokesperson for SAFMP . If SAFMP is a subject of the content you are creating, be clear and open about the fact that you are an employee and make it clear that your views do not represent those of SAFMP, the principals, other staff or allied health practitioners, patients or suppliers.

• Do not use SAFMP email addresses to register on social networks, blogs, or other online tools utilized for personal use.

• SAFMP staff should not speak to the media on SAFMP behalf - all media inquiries should be directed to the Principal or Practice Manager.

 Overall, employees must observe the principles of integrity, professionalism, privacy and impartiality when posting online.

There may be disciplinary implications for employees not complying with the practice's social media policy and guidelines.

The RACGP’s Guide for the use of social media in general practice is available at www.racgp.org.au/your-practice/ehealth/social-media 

If you have questions or need further guidance, please speak to the Practice Manager.