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'What ifs' Begin For Social Media Policy At Health Department
The Knox County Board of Health met Thursday night where one policy change sparked plenty of discussion.

Lawyers representing the health department were asked to write up a policy regarding health department employees use of social media.

The policy would prevent employees from speaking on behalf of the health department, but most importantly, make any use of social media considered undesirable a fireable offense.

Health Department Administrator Heidi Britton told the board that this enforces responsibility.

"This is people being accountable for speaking about the Health Department, the County inappropriately and that they will be held accountable for it," says Britton. "So it could happen here or outside these walls."

A committee was unanimously agreed upon to work on some of the language in the policy.

When discussion of employees home use came up, Britton said it would still apply.

"We're all pretty linked when we're in to Facebook so it wouldn't be hard to figure out what's going on in the world," says Britton. "I think that this would send a message to employees that it's not appropriate to bite the hand that feeds you."

County liaison Cheryl Nache already had one alteration. As the policy currently reads, it would bar elected officials from disparaging the Health Department on social media.

Britton attempted to clarify, saying the policy was only for employees, but Nache informed the board that they simply cannot bar elected officials from providing opinion.
03 15 13 by Newsroom
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