Government guidance warns civil servants over misuse of social media

The Government is encouraging civil servants to make more use of social media channels and has published new guidelines on how they should do so. It said civil servants who use social media can consult and engage with the public, increase the impact of their communications and be more transparent and accountable, among other perceived benefits.

However, the guidance (29-page / 1.96MB PDF) said civil servants who engage with social media are bound by the Civil Service Code (2-page / 131KB PDF) and that those who post "content that is considered inappropriate" may be disciplined. This action could be taken even if civil servants were not using social media in an "official" capacity at the time of an offence but rather in a "personal" one, it said.

Civil servants are expected to abide by the rules set out in the Civil Service Code. The core principles of the Code require that they act with integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.

These rules must be complied with when civil servants engage in the use of social media, the new guidance said.

"Social media is a public forum and the same considerations apply as would, say, to speaking in public or writing something for publication either officially or outside of work," it said. "In social media the boundaries between professional and personal can sometimes become more blurred - so it's important to be particularly careful."

"You are of course free to use social media in your own time but you need to be mindful of your duties not to disclose official information without authority, and not to take part in any political or public activity which compromises, or might be seen to compromise, your impartial service to the Government of the day or any future government," the guidance said.

Civil servants were warned not to comment on "controversial issues" relating to Government policies and practices to do with issues for which their own Minister bosses are personally responsible. Care should also be taken when commenting on other Government policies and practices and "personal attacks" should also be avoided, the guidance said.

The civil servants were also told that they "must comply with any restrictions that have been laid down" regarding how they engage in "political activities" and were also issued with a general warning about internet publishing.

"Remember, once you have posted something on the internet it is very difficult to remove," the guidance said. "Check the accuracy and sensitivity of what you are saying before you press ‘submit’."

"Use common sense and if you are unsure about a particular post don’t do it and seek advice from your line manager, departmental head of digital engagement or HR team. It is important that you are aware that posting any content that is considered inappropriate may result in disciplinary action," it said.

However, the Government said that social media presents an opportunity for civil servants and can help them to "quickly and easily" quash rumours about a Government service that may be "circulating within a particular citizen group," amongst other things.

"Social media must be used responsibly and only when it enhances the core work of civil servants," Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude said. "These guidelines give clear and practical guidance on the benefits of social media and how it can be used to enhance policy making and service delivery."

"Keeping abreast of new technology and new ways of communicating in a digital era are crucial to our ability to attract a new generation of talented people into the [civil] service," Sir Bob Kerslake, head of the civil service, added.