Social Media Acceptable Use
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Effective Date:
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November 2025
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Focus Group:
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All Employees
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Purpose:
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To provide guidance for responsible and appropriate use of social media by employees, whether on or off duty, in order to safeguard Global Outreach International’s reputation, protect confidential information, and ensure compliance with organizational policies and legal standards.
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Guidelines:
1. Definition of Social Media
“Social media” includes all digital communication platforms such as blogs, forums, and social networking sites (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok, and similar platforms).
2. Off-Duty Personal Use of Social Media
Employees may maintain personal social media accounts on their own time using their own devices. However:
3. On-Duty Use of Social Media
Employees may engage in social media during work time only when:
Integrated Safeguards:
4. Respectful Conduct and Professionalism
Social media is a public forum, and employees are expected to uphold the organization’s values. Employees may not:
5. Required Disclaimers
Employees who identify themselves as part of Global Outreach International or discuss GOI-related matters must include a prominent disclaimer such as:
“The views expressed on this site are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Outreach International.”
A disclaimer does not excuse policy violations, disclosure of confidential information, or unlawful activity.
Integrated Safeguard:
6. Confidentiality and Privacy Requirements
Employees may not:
7. Ownership of Ideas and Organizational Content
Work-related ideas, innovations, images, or materials created as part of employment belong to GOI and may not be posted without permission.
Integrated Safeguard:
8. Use of Trademarks and Copyrighted Material
Employees may not use GOI’s or any third party’s trademarks, copyrighted materials, or brand assets without authorization.
9. Organizational Restrictions
GOI may require employees to:
Integrated Safeguard:
10. Discipline for Violations
Violations of this policy may result in corrective action, up to and including immediate termination, depending on severity.
11. NLRA Compliance (Required Legal Language)
Nothing in this policy is intended to restrict employees’ rights under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) to engage in protected concerted activity, including discussing wages, working conditions, or terms of employment. Employees have the right to participate in or refrain from such activities.
Faith-Based Commitment
Employees are encouraged to use social media in a way that reflects wisdom, maturity, and Christian witness. Public communications should honor Christ, respect others, and reflect the mission and values of Global Outreach International.
“Social media” includes all digital communication platforms such as blogs, forums, and social networking sites (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok, and similar platforms).
2. Off-Duty Personal Use of Social Media
Employees may maintain personal social media accounts on their own time using their own devices. However:
- Social media use must not interfere with job performance or availability.
- Employees may express personal views but must avoid posts that reflect poorly on GOI, compromise workplace harmony, or violate confidentiality rules.
- Employees may not use personal blogs or social media to conduct activities that conflict with GOI’s mission or business interests.
- Employees should be mindful that off-duty speech visible to the public can still impact workplace relationships and the organization’s reputation.
3. On-Duty Use of Social Media
Employees may engage in social media during work time only when:
- Use is directly related to work responsibilities,
- Use is approved by the employee’s manager, and
- Posts do not identify or reference clients, donors, missionary partners, or vendors without express permission.
Integrated Safeguards:
- Supervisors must clearly define what constitutes acceptable on-duty social media activity.
- Employees should assume work devices and accounts may be monitored.
4. Respectful Conduct and Professionalism
Social media is a public forum, and employees are expected to uphold the organization’s values. Employees may not:
- Divulge confidential or proprietary information
- Engage in harassment, discrimination, or defamatory commentary
- Post content inconsistent with GOI’s Christian mission or values
- Make disrespectful or harmful comments about coworkers, supervisors, missionary partners, donors, or ministry partners
- Employees should pause before posting and consider whether the content honors Christ, respects coworkers, and preserves GOI’s public witness.
5. Required Disclaimers
Employees who identify themselves as part of Global Outreach International or discuss GOI-related matters must include a prominent disclaimer such as:
“The views expressed on this site are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Outreach International.”
A disclaimer does not excuse policy violations, disclosure of confidential information, or unlawful activity.
Integrated Safeguard:
- Employees must use disclaimers consistently when referencing GOI to avoid confusion about official positions.
6. Confidentiality and Privacy Requirements
Employees may not:
- Identify or reference GOI clients, donors, missionary partners, or vendors without written permission
- Disclose confidential or proprietary organizational information
- Share internal decisions, financial data, personnel matters, or protected missionary information
- When in doubt, employees must seek guidance from HR before posting.
- Violations can create legal liability for both the employee and organization.
7. Ownership of Ideas and Organizational Content
Work-related ideas, innovations, images, or materials created as part of employment belong to GOI and may not be posted without permission.
Integrated Safeguard:
- Employees should assume that anything produced for GOI—photos, writing, presentations, videos, training content—is organizational property.
8. Use of Trademarks and Copyrighted Material
Employees may not use GOI’s or any third party’s trademarks, copyrighted materials, or brand assets without authorization.
9. Organizational Restrictions
GOI may require employees to:
- Limit social media discussions to non-organization topics,
- Temporarily suspend social media activity,
- Remove references to GOI from personal accounts, or
- Cease identifying themselves as GOI employees online,
Integrated Safeguard:
- These restrictions will be applied consistently and only when required to protect confidentiality, safety, or organizational integrity.
10. Discipline for Violations
Violations of this policy may result in corrective action, up to and including immediate termination, depending on severity.
11. NLRA Compliance (Required Legal Language)
Nothing in this policy is intended to restrict employees’ rights under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) to engage in protected concerted activity, including discussing wages, working conditions, or terms of employment. Employees have the right to participate in or refrain from such activities.
Faith-Based Commitment
Employees are encouraged to use social media in a way that reflects wisdom, maturity, and Christian witness. Public communications should honor Christ, respect others, and reflect the mission and values of Global Outreach International.