In order to ensure safe usage of the social media by seafarers and protect the employer’s corporate image, INTERTANKO has issued ‘Social Media Guidance for Seafarers’.
The Golden rules
- Never publish inaccurate information.
- If you are unsure of the accuracy of your comments, do not publish them.
- Always ensure that if you are talking about your workplace online that you have made it clear any statements are your own and do not represent the views or values of the company.
- Avoid violating the privacy of your fellow seafarers and co-workers.
- Only post online what you would be comfortable saying to people in person or in public.
- Never use social media as a platform to harm, intimidate, insult, threaten, defame or embarrass others.
In today’s lifestyle, social media is integrally linked to the day-to-day life for communicating with the world off the ship as well as keeping direct contact with family and friends.
Social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Snapchat and many others are fantastic for keeping in touch. They share information and general entertainment. They are immensely powerful and can make the separation from home, less homesick.
However, these must be handled carefully, responsibly and with regard to negative consequences.
An apparently innocent post from a seafarer’s perspective can be misinterpreted by the news media to show the ship and company in a very bad light.
It is routine and normal for a person to want to immediately share something. The popularity of photo sharing sites is testament to that.
However, it is better to remember that it is open to public view for scrutiny and criticism within a matter of seconds. It should also be remembered that a post which could be viewed negatively can have a serious impact upon the corporate image and reputation of the shipping company. It is quite reasonable to expect that the shipping company will have a policy, which in the event of an employee posting something in breach of a safety policy, they could face disciplinary action.
A picture of a party on board showing non-compliance with the company’s alcohol policy or breaches of the PPE policies could be a typical example.As social media is heavily analysed and referenced by media organisations, a company will need to take an official line in communications.
So, take great care to avoid posting anything which can be used to either contradict or negatively influence that company’s approach.
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Source: INTERTANKO
