1)  Texas Workforce Commission (TWC)

Designated employees representing TWC must maintain a high level of ethical conduct and professional decorum. Individuals authorized by TWC to post on social media sites shall present information that is accurate, relevant and factual, following professional standards for grammar, spelling and clarity and must avoid jargon and obscure terminology, or acronyms that could discredit TWC.

TWC employees must recognize that content and messages posted on social media are public and official TWC communications. Social media usage must adhere to all other TWC communication policies, including news media policy, as defined in the TWC External Relations manual.
Employees may not use either department social media accounts or their own personal social media accounts to reveal confidential information obtained through their official responsibilities as an employee of TWC.

Individuals authorized by the agency to post official TWC information shall not

• post information directly related to ongoing investigations, negotiations, and/or matters that are confidential or privileged by law;
• lobby or post politically partisan comments;
• imply, or post information that would give an ordinary member of the public the impression, that the communication represents the views or positions of TWC unless expressly authorized to do so; or
• post information that
  • could reasonably be expected to generate controversy and/or disruption at TWC or the LWDBs;
  • impedes the general performance and operation of TWC and/or the LWDBs; or
  • affects working relationships necessary to the proper functioning of TWC and/or the LWDBs.

2) Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)

All TRS employees are expected to use professional judgment and exercise caution regarding any external communications, including the use of TRS’ social networking sites (see the TRS Staff External Communications Policy). Use of TRS information resources for the incidental personal use of social networking sites is permitted as authorized under the TRS Information Security Manual (ISM), Section 3.0. Definitions of certain non-permissible content such as that which is confidential or sensitive are also included in the ISM.

TRS employees may comment on TRS’ social media presence with the following restrictions:

• Employees may post only public, factual information and other permissible content.
• TRS employees do not have to identify themselves as employees when commenting on TRS-related postings; however, if employees do identify themselves as a TRS employee, they must also state that any opinion given is their own and does not, necessarily, represent the opinion of TRS.
• Because of their high visibility, TRS employees who are executive council (EC) members are discouraged from commenting on TRS-related postings as EC members may be perceived as speaking for the agency. EC members wishing to comment must first gain the approval of the executive director. Should the request and comment be approved, EC members must identify themselves as TRS employees and must state that any opinion given is their own and does not, necessarily, represent the opinion of TRS.

In addition to adhering to the restrictions on posting non-permissible content, as defined in this policy, TRS employees must comply with state law, which

• Prohibits any TRS employee from engaging in activities to advocate benefit increases or to advocate or influence legislative action or inaction regarding TRS matters.
• Requires confidential handling of member records. (See TRS Confidentiality Policy.)

3)  Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS)

Employees representing DFPS through social media outlets or participating in social media features on DFPS websites maintain a high level of ethical conduct and professional decorum. Failure to do so is grounds for revoking the privilege to participate in DFPS social media sites, blogs, or other social media features. 

Information must be presented following professional standards for good grammar, spelling, brevity, clarity and accuracy, and avoid jargon, obscure terminology, or acronyms.

DFPS employees recognize that the content and messages they post on social media websites are public and may be cited as official DFPS statements. Social media is not used to circumvent other DFPS communication policies, including news media policy requirements.

DFPS employees may not publish information on DFPS social media sites that includes:

• Confidential information
• Copyright violations
• Profanity, racist, sexist, or derogatory content or comments
• Partisan political views
• Commercial endorsements or SPAM