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<p class="MsoNormal">Hello Anna:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is very sticky. Particularly for public employers- like public library boards and municipalities.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the government workplace there are considerations that may not apply in the private corporate or business workplace. Speech criticizing the government and public entities – employers or no- is among the most protected speech under the
First Amendment.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">However, there are some guidelines public employers can implement.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are two separate forums to consider:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Social Media accounts owned by the employer<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Use of employer equipment<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Actions done during an employee’s work hours<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Employee personal social media accounts<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Employee’s personal equipment<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Actions done during employee’s personal time<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Generally, public employers have to be careful in policies restricting employees’ personal social media speech that is conducted outside of work hours on equipment owned by the employee.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have listed below some links and information that may be helpful in crafting a policy. Two are different versions of the same paper. The other article (“Public Employer Social Media Article,” above, please see page 10 and on).
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u>I strongly encourage your board to have their attorney review any policy before implementation. This area is still very grey for public employers and an attorney can help draft a policy that will protect employee’s First Amendment
Rights while also protecting the employer.<o:p></o:p></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Resources:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.fosterswift.com/communications-Social-Media-Employers-Policy-Speech.html">https://www.fosterswift.com/communications-Social-Media-Employers-Policy-Speech.html</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.ndaco.org/image/cache/Public_Employees_and_Social_Media.pdf">http://www.ndaco.org/image/cache/Public_Employees_and_Social_Media.pdf</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/01_social_media_policy.pdf">https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/01_social_media_policy.pdf</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.ctg.albany.edu/publications/social_media_policy/">https://www.ctg.albany.edu/publications/social_media_policy/</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I hope this is helpful!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Clare D. Membiela, MLS, J.D.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Library Law Consultant<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Library of Michigan<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:MembielaC@michigan.gov">MembielaC@michigan.gov</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">517-335-8132<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b>The research and resources above are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with
respect to any particular issue or problem.<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><img border="0" width="325" height="170" style="width:3.3833in;height:1.775in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.jpg@01D5C7D6.1769B4F0" alt="cid:image001.jpg@01D579DC.B445FFB0"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:11.75pt;background:white">
<b><i><span style="color:#500050">Family Matters</span></i></b><b><span style="color:#500050"> is an outreach effort to equip families of children with disabilities by offering free information and resources<i>.</i></span></b><span style="color:#500050"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">Visit </span><a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.michigan.gov%2Fmde%2F0%2C4615%2C7-140-6598_88187_81739---%2C00.html&data=02%7C01%7CMembielaC%40michigan.gov%7C6b2f721525734743bc6608d748155e89%7Cd5fb7087377742ad966a892ef47225d1%7C0%7C0%7C637057128957252684&sdata=CfbGmpHjM%2BYipHBj37MRXs3Z%2B5AkjkbhNJCA5enJgwE%3D&reserved=0">Family
Matters</a><span style="color:#500050">, </span><span style="color:black">call OSE Information Line at 888-320-8384 or Email:
</span><a href="mailto:mde-ose@michigan.gov">mde-ose@michigan.gov</a><span style="color:black">.</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org <michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Anna Curtis via Michlib-l<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, January 10, 2020 2:24 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> michlib-l@mcls.org<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [Michlib-l] Personnel Comments<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Hi Everyone,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">My Board was wondering if any library had a policy regarding employment probation/termination due to disparaging remarks about the library made by employees on social media during non-work time
on their personal accounts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">I honestly have my doubts, but said I would look into it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Thanks!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Anna M. Curtis, Director<br>
Eaton Rapids Area District Library<br>
220 S. Main Street<br>
Eaton Rapids, MI 48827<br>
517-663-0950 x401<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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