Social Media Policy (US)

by Practical Law Labor & Employment

A Standard Document providing a model social media policy for private employers that can be used as a stand-alone policy or incorporated into an employee handbook. This Standard Document is designed to help employers mitigate the legal risks associated with employee use of platforms like Facebook, X, and LinkedIn. It addresses key topics such as the personal use of social media, the use of company IT resources, and expectations regarding employee privacy. The policy also covers the business use of social media and employer ownership of accounts. It addresses the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and provides guidelines for protecting confidential information, intellectual property, and the company's reputation while navigating the complex intersection of social media and employment law. It is based on federal law. State or local law may impose additional or different requirements, but this document will be useful and relevant to employers in every state. This Standard Document has integrated notes with important explanations and drafting tips.