Online Lessons

Employee Use of Social Media Websites

While Madison Park Restaurant encourages its employees to enjoy and make good use of their off‐duty
time, certain activities on the part of employees may become a problem if they have the effect of
impairing the work of any employee; harassing, demeaning, or creating a hostile working
environment for any employee; disrupting the smooth and orderly flow of work within the
company; directly or indirectly disclosing confidential or proprietary information; or harming
the goodwill and reputation of Madison Park Restaurant among its customers or in the community
at large. In the area of social media (print, broadcast, digital, and online), employees may use
such media in any way they choose as long as such use does not produce the adverse
consequences noted above. For this reason, Madison Park Restaurant reminds its employees
that the following guidelines apply in their use of social media, both on and off duty:
1. If an employee publishes any personal information about themselves, another
employee of Madison Park Restaurant, a client, or a customer in any public medium
(print, broadcast, digital, or on-line) that:
a. has the potential or effect of involving the employee, their co‐workers, or
Madison Park Restaurant in any kind of dispute or conflict with other employees
or third parties;
b. interferes with the work of any employee;
c. creates a harassing, demeaning, or hostile working environment for any
employee;
d. disrupts the smooth and orderly flow of work within the office, or the delivery
of services to the company’s clients or customers;
e. harms the goodwill and reputation of Madison Park Restaurant among its customers or
in the community at large;
f. tends to place in doubt the reliability, trustworthiness, or sound judgment of the person
who is the subject of the information; or
g. reveals proprietary information or Madison Park Restaurant trade secrets;

2. the employee(s) responsible for such problems will be subject to counseling and/or disciplinary
action, up to and potentially including termination of employment, depending upon the
circumstances.
3. No employee of Madison Park Restaurant may use company equipment or facilities for
furtherance of non‐work‐related activities or relationships without the express advance
permission of the owners or manager.
4. Employees who conduct themselves in such a way that their actions and relationships with each
other could become the object of gossip among others in the office, or cause unfavorable
publicity for Madison Park Restaurant in the community, should be concerned that their
conduct may be inconsistent with one or more of the above guidelines. In such a situation, the
employees involved should request guidance from (a designated member of management) to
discuss the possibility of a resolution that would avoid such problems. Depending upon the
circumstances, failure to seek such guidance may be considered evidence of intent to conceal a
violation of the policy and to hinder an investigation into the matter.
5. Should you decide to create a personal blog, be sure to provide a clear disclaimer that the views
expressed in the blog are the author’s alone, and do not represent the views of Madison Park
Restaurant.
6. All information published on any employee blog(s) should
comply with Madison Park Restaurant’s confidentiality and
disclosure of proprietary data policies. This also applies to
comments posted on other social networking sites, blogs and
forums.
7. Be respectful to Madison Park Restaurant, co‐workers, customers,
clients, partners and competitors, and be mindful of your
physical safety when posting information about yourself or
others on any forum. Describing intimate details of your
personal and social life, or providing information about your
detailed comings and goings might be interpreted as an
invitation for further communication ‐--or even stalking and
harassment that could prove dangerous to your physical safety.
8. Social media activities should never interfere with work
commitments.

9. Your on-line presence can reflect on Madison Park Restaurant. Be aware that your comments,
posts, or actions captured via digital or film images can affect the image of Madison Park
Restaurant.
10. Do not discuss company clients, customers or partners without their express consent to do so.
11. Do not ignore copyright laws, and cite or reference sources accurately. Remember that the
prohibition again plagiarism applies on-line.
12. Do not use any Madison Park Restaurant logos or trademarks without written consent. The
absence of explicit reference to a particular site does not limit the extent of the application of
this policy. If no policy or guideline exists, Madison Park Restaurant employees should use their
professional judgment and follow the most prudent course of action. If you are uncertain,
consult your supervisor or manager before proceeding.