Wales Online have covered new research by Parliament Street into social media misuse in the Welsh Government:
Welsh Government civil servant banned from promotion for a year for ‘misuse’ of social media
Employee was one of seven staff members disciplined by the Welsh Government for writing ‘inappropriate comments’ on Facebook or Twitter
A civil servant was banned from promotion for a year following “misuse” of social media, official documents show.
The employee was one of seven staff members disciplined by the Welsh Government for writing “inappropriate comments” on Facebook or Twitter during the past five years.
The civil servant was issued with a written warning and prevented from career progression for 12 months after posting remarks that were deemed to breach the Civil Service code on Facebook.
Disciplinary proceedings were launched against a further three employees for similar reasons.
Another three members of Welsh Government staff were punished for writing inappropriate comments about their colleagues on social media.
Most were issued with informal or written warnings, while one employee left the organisation before the disciplinary process concluded.
Steven George-Hilley, director of technology at think-tank Parliament Street, which obtained the figures through a freedom of information request, said: “Banning staff from promotion due to Facebook gaffes exposes a ham-fisted approach to social media.
“Whilst protecting the integrity of the organisation is paramount, employers need to recognise that social media is here to stay and that staff should be trained to utilise digital channels to provide improved services online.”
A Welsh Government spokesman said: “As civil servants, Welsh Government staff are obliged to adhere to the Civil Service code, and the provisions in the code governing honesty, political impartiality, objectivity and integrity.”
The original article can be found here.
