Social media guidelines for personal use

Last updated on January 18, 2024

The Social Media Guidelines for BC Public Service Employees are a resource to help employees make appropriate choices about the personal use of social media and understand the potential impacts of its use in the context of 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 on joining the public service. The social media guidelines 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 (e.g. social networking using their work-issued computer or cell phone);
  • Where employees face harassment or bullying online because of their employment; and
  • When using workplace social media (e.g. intranets).

For more information about personal use of social media in relation to your responsibilities as a BC Public Service employee:

Learn more

Use the tools below to learn more about the guidelines, apply your knowledge or have a conversation with your team.