Communication & Social Media Policy

Amended: 3/6/2024 

Provided by: University Communications and Marketing 

Related Links and Resources: 

• Collective bargaining agreements  
• Postdoctoral Scholars Handbook  
• Faculty: Faculty should refer to the handbook of their primary school affiliation for guidance. 
• Information Stewardship Policy  

This policy applies to all staff, limited term staff, postdoctoral scholars, faculty, temporary staff, or any other members of the Tufts community including those who work under faculty or postdoctoral scholar handbooks, or who are otherwise covered by a collective bargaining agreement. 

Social Media 

The University respects your right to maintain a blog or website or to participate in social networking on or through websites or services (collectively “social media”).  However, to protect the University’s interests and ensure employees focus on their job duties, you must adhere to the following rules: 

• All rules regarding confidential and proprietary business and patient information apply in full to social media.  Any information that cannot be disclosed through a conversation, a note or an e-mail also cannot be disclosed through social media.   
• When using social media, if you express either a political opinion or an opinion regarding the University’s actions and that also identifies you as an employee of the University (or if it can be inferred that you are an employee of the University), you must specifically state that the opinion expressed is your personal opinion and not the university’s position.  This is necessary to preserve the University’s goodwill in the community. 
• Be respectful of potential readers and colleagues.  Please do not use discriminatory comments, or make maliciously false statements when commenting about the University, superiors, co-workers, or other universities. 
• You may not use the University’s logos or trademarks for commercial purposes or to endorse any product or service. 
• You may not make any statement or post any comment or other material endorsing, recommending, or promoting any of the University’s (or any affiliated entity’s) products or services without disclosing the nature of your relationship with the University. 
• Any conduct which is impermissible under the law if expressed in any other form or forum is impermissible if expressed through social media.  For example, posted material that is discriminatory, obscene, defamatory, libelous, or threatening is forbidden.   

All other University policies apply equally to social media.  You should review this Handbook for further guidance. 

The university encourages all employees to keep in mind the speed and manner in which information posted through social media can be relayed (and often misunderstood) by readers.  You must use your best judgment.  If you have any questions, you should review the guidelines above and/or consult with your supervisor or Human Resources business partner.  When in doubt, do not post!  Failure to follow these guidelines may result in discipline, up to and including termination.  In enforcing this policy, the University reserves the right to monitor social media activities of employees, whether or not such activities are conducted with university resources, to the extent permitted by and in accordance with applicable law.   

Nothing in this policy is designed to interfere with, restrain, or prevent employee communications regarding wages, hours, or other terms and conditions of employment.