Social media guidelines for personal use

The Social Media Guidelines for Personal Use (PDF, 134.6KB) are a resource to help BC Public Service employees make appropriate choices about the personal use of social media and understand the potential impacts of its use on their employment.

These guidelines are a companion to the Government Communications and Public Engagement (GCPE) Social Media Guidelines which provide guidance on the use of social media for official government purposes.

All BC Public Service employees agree to follow the Standards of Conduct and the Oath of Employment upon joining the public service. The Social Media Guidelines for Personal Use (PDF, 134.6KB) explain how these and other policies apply to an employee’s personal use of social media, including:

• During the work day for personal use
• Outside of work hours on their own computer or device (off-duty conduct)
• About work (posting about their work or coworkers on their personal social media accounts)
• In potential conflict of interest situations
• When using work equipment (for example, social networking using their work-issued computer or cell phone)
• Where employees face discrimination, harassment or bullying online because of their employment
• When using workplace platforms (for example, intranet)

These guidelines are relevant to all BC Public Service employees, including employees of agencies, boards and commissions covered by the Public Service Act.

For more information about personal social media use:

• Review the Social Media Guidelines for Personal Use for BC Public Service Employees (PDF, 134.6KB)
• Talk with your supervisor, manager or ministry ethics advisor

Additional resources

Use the tools below to learn more about the guidelines for personal social media use:

• Social Media Guidelines for Personal Use: Frequently Asked Questions (PDF, 591KB)
• Social Media Guidelines for Personal Use: Training Slides (for supervisors) (PPTX, 7.8MB)
• Social Media Scenarios and Discussion Questions (PDF, 301KB)