A new social media policy that may go into effect later this week spells out exactly what Butler County employees can and can’t do online while they are on the job or otherwise acting in a professional capacity.

The policy, a copy of which was obtained by the Butler Eagle Monday, applies to “all Butler County employees using social networking/media sites and services.”

That includes, according to the policy, websites like Facebook and apps like Snapchat and Instagram, as well as “all other general blogs, photo sharing, video sharing, microblogging, podcasts as well as comments posted on sites.”

Commissioner Leslie Osche, the board’s chairman, said in an interview Monday that the policy was not created in response to any incident or incidents involving Butler County or its employees.

She said multiple agencies, including groups that represent county governments and solicitors, and those that check for compliance with privacy legislation like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), have urged counties to update their codes and include a social media policy.

“We’re just behind and trying to come into the next century,” Osche said. “It’s as much about what you can do as what you can’t do. Obviously nobody can take away somebody’s right to free speech, and I think that’s spelled out (in the policy).”

Butler County employees are allowed to use public and professional social networks for things like marketing, event promotion, outreach and monitoring public opinion, according to the policy.

Employees also are allowed to use social media for “career development, maintaining academic contacts, or maintaining communications with members of professional or standards organizations.”

But, the policy states, employees may be disciplined for posts that are not protected by the First Amendment. That includes “racist or sexist remarks or messages that create a hostile working environment.”

Employees also could be disciplined if they use social media while on the job to “threaten, harass or transmit obscene materials,” or use “inappropriate language.”

“Employees shall not swear, use vulgarities, or any other inappropriate language,” the policy states.

Osche said those prohibitions on employees’ online conduct are meant to regulate what people can do while they are at work or using county-owned equipment. She pushed back against the idea that county officials will be watching employees’ online conduct all the time.

“We can’t police what people do at night on their Facebook page,” Osche said. “But if it is on county time and acting in their professional capacity, that would be prohibited.”

The policy also includes requirements that county employees abide by copyright laws, avoid disclosing proprietary or confidential information, and avoid using county trademarks or logos without permission. It also reminds employees that they have no expectation of privacy while using county-owned equipment, servers or websites, and that the county has the right to monitor social networking activities that take place on or through those resources.

Osche said as of Monday she wasn’t aware of any complaints or concerns raised by county employees in response to the proposed policy, which will be voted upon at Wednesday’s commissioners meeting.

“Most of this should really be common sense,” she said.