The social media policy for Ford Motor Company is clearly titled “Ford Motor Company’s Digital Participation Guidelines’. The policy lists the following five social media sites: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, and foursquare. This policy was created by Ford Motor Company to advise their personnel the ethical behavior they expect from their employees when using social media. Ford Motor asks employees to include a notice somewhere in their social media profiles that states: “I work at Ford, but this is my own opinion and is not the opinion of Ford Motor Company’. Ford Motors goes on to explain if the conversation happens to be about the Ford Motor Company or the car industry and the employee doesn’t identify themself it could cause a liability under the Federal Trade Commission regulations. The policy is positive, clearly stated, and easy to ready. The policy list five brief guidelines to follow when on social media:
1. Honesty about who you are
2. Clarity that your opinions are your own
3. Respect and humility in all communication
4. Good judgment in sharing only public information – including financial data
5. Awareness that what you say is permanent
The policy also reminds personnel the internet and social media is a public space and to remember to mind their manners. If something is posted on the internet it will never go away. The policy also states “When in doubt, ask’ the communications team or the legal office for Ford Motor Company is always available if anyone has any concerns or questions.
I would not have a problem following this policy statement. The policy (Ford Motors) is not asking personnel to do anything out of the ordinary and there is nothing uncomfortable about following this policy. The policy is specific and easy to follow. My only suggestion to Ford Motors is to update the social media sites in their policy because there are now more media sites like Instagram, Snapchat, and Pinterest.
www.slidesharenet./opinionwatch/ford-social-media-guidelines