USPS Implements Social Media Policy

Effective October 20, 2011, the Postal Service is revising the Administrative Support Manual (ASM), by adding new Part 363 which delineates the Postal Service policy concerning social media. For the purpose of this policy, “social media” is defined as any form of online publishing or discussion, including but not limited to: Blogs, Wikis, YouTube, Podcasts, Social Networking — Social sites (such as Facebook, MySpace, and LinkedIn), Twitter/Microblogs, and Web 2.0.

For the purpose of this policy, “social media” is defined as any form of online publishing or discussion, including but not limited to: Blogs, Wikis, YouTube, Podcasts, Social Networking – Social sites (such as Facebook, MySpace, and LinkedIn), Twitter/Microblogs, and Web 2.0.

Whether Postal Service employees choose to participate in social media on their own time is their decision. However, when using social media in a personal capacity, employees may not speak for or act on behalf of the Postal Service. All uses of social media related to the conduct of official postal business require management consent. Contractors and consultants are prohibited from representing the Postal Service in the use of any social media tool. While contractors may create content on behalf of the Postal Service, only Postal Service employees may identify themselves as Postal Service spokespersons and post information relating to the conduct of official postal business.

Today's Postal Bulletin features the addition of our Social Media Policy and may be reviewed at:
https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2011/pb22322/pdf/pb22322.pdf.