SOCIAL MEDIA GUIDELINES
Version 1.0
Date: July 2013
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Purpose
These guidelines are to be read in conjunction with the APSC
Circular 2012/1: Revisions to
the Commission’s guidance on making public comment and participating online. This guideline provides direction for agency social media use.
The objective of Safe Work Australia’s social media is to:
promote Safe Work Australia’s policies
reach a wider, more diverse audience quickly
educate, inform and entertain
promote discussion and debate
gather and consider a wide variety of ideas and opinions, and
promote events and community engagement activities.
Guideline application
This guideline applies to Safe Work Australia staff that use social media as part of their
professional responsibilities. This guideline is the responsibility of the Communications and
Publishing Section.
Social media
Social media refers to web based technologies that allow you to publish, share and discuss
content e.g. Facebook.
Social media management
The Communications and Publishing Section is responsible for the management of Safe
Work Australia’s social media accounts, the storage of social media login details and fulfil ing
record keeping requirements.
Content
When using social media on behalf of Safe work Australia please consider:
does your content retain interest levels?
is your content friendly and engaging?
is your content about issues of relevance or events/opportunities coming soon?
can your content be related back to operational objectives?
is your content inclusive?
does your content encourage discussion?
Is the content consistent with APS values?
Social media posts
To post material on a Safe Work Australia social media site:
1. Draft your content for the material you wish to be posted.
2. Seek approval of the content from an EL2.
3. Provide the approved content, along with the date and time you would like it
uploaded to the Communications and Publishing Section.
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4. The Communications and Publishing Section will review the content to ensure it is
appropriate for the social media platform.
5. The Communications and Publishing Section will upload the content.
Social media responses The Communications and Publishing Section is responsible for responding to social media
communication where appropriate. This will be undertaken in consultation with relevant
Sections.
When an enquiry is posted on the Safe Work Australia Facebook page the Communications
and Publishing Section can post a holding response to allow line areas time to put together a
response to any questions if necessary. Line areas will need to provide a response to the
Communications and Publishing Section within 48 hours. The response only needs to be
short. If an enquiry needs a detailed response the Communications and Publishing Section
can refer the person offline for further information to be provided however the short response
will still need to be posted in the first instance.
Examples of communications Safe Work Australia may receive and the suggested
response/action:
Comment
Action
Comments about something unrelated to
No action required. May be removed
Safe Work Australia
depending on comment.
Incorrect assumption about Safe Work
Reply to comment correcting any factual
Australia
inaccuracies but do not enter into a
discussion on social media.
Request for information
Where possible reply to the post referring to
the requested information.
If the response requires a lengthy or complex
explanation provide Safe Work Australia’s
general contact details to allow further
discussion of the issue.
Negative comment about Safe Work
Acknowledge the comment but do not enter
Australia
into a discussion on social media. Provide
Safe Work Australia’s general contact details
to allow further discussion of the issue.
Thank the individual for their comment and
remain courteous and friendly.
Positive comment about Safe Work Australia
Thank the individual for their comment; ‘like’
the comment.
Social media evaluation
The Communications and Publishing Section conducts weekly social media evaluation. This
evaluation determines the communication’s influence and reach. This evaluation is posted
on SafetyNet.
Further information
If you have any questions relating to the Agency’s use of social media please contact the
Communications and Publishing Section.
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