1. Introduction

Employees and volunteers of Islamic Welfare Trust (the Charity) may be able to access social media services and social networking websites, either through Charity IT systems or via their own personal equipment.

This social media policy describes the rules governing use of social media at Islamic Welfare Trust.

It sets out how staff must behave when using the Charity’s social media accounts. It also explains the rules about using personal social media accounts at work and describes what staff may say about the Charity on their personal accounts.

2. Why this policy exists

Social media can bring significant benefits to Islamic Welfare Trust, particularly for building relationships with current and potential stakeholders.

However, it’s important that employees/volunteers who use social media within the Charity do so in a way that enhances the Charity’s prospects without compromising its integrity.

A misjudged status update can generate complaints or damage the Charity’s reputation. For example, employees and volunteers should avoid compromising the Charity’s political impartiality, by not expressing party political views. There are also security and data protection issues to consider.

This policy explains how employees and volunteers can use social media safely and effectively.

3. Policy scope

This policy applies to all staff and volunteers at Islamic Welfare Trust who use social media while working — no matter whether for business or personal reasons.

It applies no matter whether that social media use takes place on Charity premises, while travelling for business or while working from home.

Social media sites and services include (but are not limited to):

• Popular social networks like Twitter and Facebook
• Photographic social networks like Flickr and Instagram
• Professional social networks like LinkedIn

4. Responsibilities

Everyone who operates a Charity social media account or who uses their personal social media accounts at work has some responsibility for implementing this policy.  However, the Chairman has these key responsibilities:

• for ensuring that Islamic Welfare Trust, its staff and volunteers uses social media safely, appropriately and in line with the Charity’s objectives
• for providing apps and tools to manage the Charity’s social media presence and track any key performance indicators They are also responsible for proactively monitoring for social media security threats, to work with the Marketing and the Community Fundraising Departments to roll out marketing ideas and campaigns through our social media channels

The Social Media Administrator is responsible for ensuring requests for assistance and support made via social media are followed up.

5. General social media guidelines

The power of social media

Islamic Welfare Trust recognises that social media offers a platform for the Charity to perform marketing; stay connected with customers and build its profile online.

The Charity also believes its staff should be involved in conversations with other charities/peer groups on social networks. Social media is an excellent way for employees/volunteers to make useful connections, share ideas and shape discussions.

The Charity therefore encourages employees/volunteers to use social media to support its goals and objectives.

6. Basic advice

Regardless of which social networks employees/volunteers are using, or whether they’re using business or personal accounts on Charity time, following these simple rules helps avoid the most common pitfalls

1. Know the social network Employees/volunteers should spend time becoming familiar with the social network before contributing. It’s important to read and understand what is and is not acceptable on a network before posting messages or updates.
2. If unsure, don’t post it. Staff should err on the side of caution when posting to social network If an employee/volunteer feels an update or message might cause complaints or offence — or be otherwise unsuitable — they should not post it.
3. Be thoughtful and polite. Many social media users have got into trouble simply by failing to observe basic good manners online. Employees/volunteers should adopt the same level of courtesy used when communicating via email or face to face conversations.
4. Look out for security threat Staff members should be on guard for social engineering and phishing attempts. Social networks are also used to distribute spam and malware. Further details below.
5. Keep personal use reasonable. Although the Charity believes that having employees/volunteers who are active on social media can be valuable both to those employees/volunteers and to the business, staff and volunteers should exercise restraint in how much personal use of social media they make during working hours.
6. Don’t make promises without checking. Some social networks are very public, so employees/volunteers should not make any commitments or promises on behalf of Islamic Welfare Trust without checking that the Charity can deliver on the promise Direct any enquiries to the Chairman.
7. Handle complex queries via other channel Social networks are not a good place to resolve complicated enquiries and customer issues. Once a customer has made contact, employees/volunteers should handle further communications via the most appropriate channel — usually email or telephone.
8. Don’t escalate thing It’s easy to post a quick response to a contentious status update and then regret it. Employees/volunteers should always take the time to think before responding and hold back if they are in any doubt at all. Take the discussion off-line out of the public domain.  If a response is required this will be handled by the Chairman, or nominee in her absence.

Think twice before sending; imagine that you’re the recipient – what would your response to the message be?

7. Use of Charity social media accounts

This part of the social media policy covers all use of social media accounts owned and run by the Charity.

AUTHORISED USERS

• Only people who have been authorised to use the Charity’s social networking accounts may do so.
• Authorisation is usually provided by the Chairman. It is typically granted when social media-related tasks form a core part of an employee’s job.
• Allowing only designated people to use the accounts ensures the Charity’s social media presence is consistent and cohesive.

CREATING SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS

• New social media accounts in the Charity’s name must not be created unless approved by the Senior Trustees.
  • The Charity operates its social media presence in line with a strategy that focuses on the most appropriate social networks, given available resource
  • If there is a case to be made for opening a new account, employees/volunteers should raise this with the Senior Trustees.

PURPOSE OF CHARITY SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS

Islamic Welfare Trust’s social media accounts may be used for many different purposes. In general, employees/volunteers should only post updates, messages or otherwise use these accounts when that use is clearly in line with the Charity’s overall objectives. For instance, employees/volunteers may use Charity social media accounts to:

• Respond to customer enquiries and requests for h
• Share blog posts, articles and other content created by the
• Share insightful articles, videos, media and other content relevant to the business, but created by others
• Provide fans or followers with an insight into what goes on at the
• Promote marketing campaigns and special offers
• Support new product launches and other initiative
• To listen and participate in conversations.

Social media is a powerful tool that changes quickly. Employees/volunteers are encouraged to think of new ways to use it, and to put those ideas to the Trustees.

INAPPROPRIATE CONTENT AND USES

• Charity social media accounts must not be used to share or spread inappropriate content, or to take part in any activities that could bring the Charity into disrepute.
• When sharing an interesting blog post, article or piece of content, employees/volunteers should always review the content thoroughly, and should not post a link based solely on a headline

Further guidelines can be found below.

8. Use of personal social media accounts at work

THE VALUE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Islamic Welfare Trust recognises that employees’/volunteers personal social media accounts can generate a number of benefits. For instance:

• Staff and volunteers can make industry contacts that may be useful in their jo
• Employees/volunteers can discover content to help them learn and develop in their role
• By posting about the Charity, staff and volunteers can help to build the Charity’s profile online.

As a result, the Charity is happy for employees/volunteers to spend a reasonable amount of time using their personal social media accounts at work.

9. Personal social media rules

USE DURING THE WORKING DAY:

• Employees/volunteers may use their personal social media accounts for work-related purposesduring regular hours, but must ensure this is for a specific reason (e.g. competitor research). Social media should not affect the ability of employees/volunteers to perform their regular duties.
• Use of social media accounts for non-work purposes is restricted to non-work times, such as breaks and during lunch.

PROHIBITED USE:

• You must avoid making any social media communications that could bring the charity into disrepute.
• You should not defame or disparage the charity (which includes Islamic Welfare Trust or other brand partners), its staff and volunteers or professional/charitable contacts and client confidentiality must be upheld at all times.
• You should never post photographs or images of staff colleagues, volunteers, clients or third parties without their express permission and understanding

Any such actions may result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.  Employees and volunteers may be required to remove such content.  Failure to comply with such a request may in itself result in disciplinary action.

TALKING ABOUT THE CHARITY:

• Employees and volunteers should ensure it is clear that their social media account does not represent Islamic Welfare Trust’s views or opinion
• Staff and volunteers may wish to include a disclaimer in social media profiles: ‘The views expressed are my own and do not reflect the views of my employer’

SAFE, RESPONSIBLE SOCIAL MEDIA USE

The rules in this section apply to any employees/volunteers using Charity social media accounts.

Users must not:

• Create or transmit material that might be defamatory or incur liability for the Charity.
• Post message, status updates or links to material or content that is inappropriate.
• Inappropriate content includes: pornography, racial or religious slurs, gender-specific comments, information encouraging criminal skills or terrorism, or materials relating to cults, gambling and illegal drugs
• This definition of inappropriate content or material also covers any text, images or other media that could reasonably offend someone on the basis of race, age, sex, religious or political beliefs, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by la
• Use social media for any illegal or criminal activities.
• Broadcast unsolicited views on social, political, religious or other non- business-related matters.
• Send or post messages or material that could damage Islamic Welfare Trust’s image or reputation.
• Interact with Islamic Welfare Trust’s competitors in any ways which could be interpreted as being offensive, disrespectful or rude. (Communication with direct competitors should be kept to a minimum.)
• Discuss colleagues, other charities, customers or suppliers without their appro
• Post, upload, forward or link to spam, junk email or chain emails and messages.

COPYRIGHT

Islamic Welfare Trust respects and operates within copyright laws. Users may not use social media to: Publish or share any copyrighted software, media or materials owned by third parties, unless permitted by that third party.

If staff and volunteers wish to share content published on another website, they are free to do so if that website has obvious sharing buttons or functions on it.

Share links to illegal copies of music, films, games or other software.

SECURITY AND DATA PROTECTION

Employees/volunteers should be aware of the security and data protection issues that can arise from using social networks.

MAINTAIN CONFIDENTIALITY

Users must not:

Share or link to any content or information owned by the Charity that could be considered confidential or commercially sensitive.

This might include details of key customers, or information about future strategy or marketing campaigns.

Share or link to any content or information owned by another charity or person that could be considered confidential or commercially sensitive.

For example, if a competitor’s marketing strategy was leaked online, employees/volunteers of Islamic Welfare Trust should not mention it on social media.

Share or link to data in any way that could breach the Charity’s data protection policy.

PROTECT SOCIAL ACCOUNTS

Charity social media accounts should be protected by strong passwords that are changed regularly and shared only with authorised users.

Staff or volunteers must not use a new piece of software, app or service with any of the Charity’s social media accounts without receiving approval from the Chairman.

AVOID SOCIAL SCAMS

Staff and volunteers should watch for phishing attempts, where scammers may attempt to use deception to obtain information relating to either the Charity or its customers.

Employees/volunteers should never reveal sensitive details through social media channels. Customer identities must always be verified in the usual way before any account information is shared or discussed.

Employees/volunteers should avoid clicking links in posts, updates and direct messages that look suspicious. In particular, users should look out for URLs contained in generic or vague-sounding direct messages.

POLICY ENFORCEMENT

Monitoring social media use

• The Charity reserves the right to monitor how social networks are used and accessed through company IT and internet connections.
• Any such examinations or monitoring will only be carried out by authorised sta Additionally, all data relating to social networks written, sent or received through the Charity’s computer systems is part of official Islamic Welfare Trust records.
• The Charity can be legally compelled to show that information to law enforcement agencies or other parties.

POTENTIAL SANCTIONS

Knowingly breaching this social media policy is a serious matter. Users who do so will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

Employees, volunteers, contractors and other users may also be held personally liable for violating this policy.

Where appropriate, the Charity will involve the police or other law enforcement agencies in relation to breaches of this policy.