As an employee working in Qatar, you cannot freely post whatever you can on social media.
The country has strict anti-defamation laws with regards to online posts. In fact, there is a relevant authority monitoring cyber crimes in any social networking sites.
Just recently, the Economic and Cyber Crimes Combating Department at the General Directorate of Criminal Investigation detained a government employee for publishing an official document on social media. He is being presented to the competent prosecution for legal proceedings.
So, if you have been actively using any social media platforms, be careful of what you post online.
Read on to learn from the General Guidelines for Employee Engagement with Social Media according to the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology.
Note: These guidelines will evolve as technology continues to make possible new ways for social networking.
SOCIAL MEDIA GUIDELINES FOR EMPLOYEES
DO’S
• Do post only at your personal time. Personal use of social media should be done at your personal time. Use social media in your personal capacity, at your own time but be mindful of Qatar Law.
• Do check your existing employment contract about your company rules.
• Do keep in mind that what you and other people are publishing might be widely accessible. For example, your supervisor and colleagues may come across what is being communicated online through their own use of social media. So, you should think about what they are saying and be responsible.
• Do make it clear that the views expressed are yours alone If you identify yourself as an employee of the Agency.
DON'TS
• Don’t post anything online during your duty hours. Qatar Law stipulates that personal use of social media should be done at your personal time.
• Don’t share your contact details of anyone in your workplace without their permission. Posting pictures of colleagues and sharing their personal information without their consent is unlawful in Qatar.
• Don’t disclose any information that is confidential or proprietary to your employer or any third party (e.g. companies, individuals and other government agencies) that has disclosed information to the Agency in confidence.
• Don’t comment on anything related to legal or commercial matters such as regulatory matters, the status of tenders and employment contracts.
• Don’t infringe on the privacy rights of colleagues, such as by posting pictures of colleagues or giving out your contact details without their permission.
• Don’t use the Agency’s logo or other means that may cause the audience to believe that you are representing the Agency’s views. You may use the following declaration as an example: The views expressed on this (e.g. blog; website...) are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of...
Want to know more about Qatar Labour Law? An outsourcing service in Qatar can guide you through the recruitment process and know your legal rights as an employee.
Professional Use of Social Media on Behalf of the Agency
It is advised to follow the below guidelines when using social media professionally (e.g. as part of the Agency’s awareness campaign, interactive on-line discussions with external peers and contacts, or when representing the Agency in particular on-line forums) to avoid facing any legal charges while in Qatar:
DO’S
• Do disclose who you are and your role at the Agency.
• Do try and understand the culture of the online communities you communicate with so as to interact effectively.
• Do protect your own privacy and respect the privacy and contact preferences of others.
• Do write about what you know and your areas of expertise.
• Do make it clear to others that you are not entitled to share your stand if you are not an expert on a particular topic that comes up for discussion.
• Do suggest how to get in touch with someone else in the Agency who has expertise in a given topic area if appropriate and after the proposed expert’s permission.
• Do provide links to the Agency’s website, wherever practicable, so that individuals and on-line communities have access to official statements, documents, and initiatives.
• Do engage in healthy debate only.
• Do keep it appropriate and polite when disagreeing with others’ opinions. Choose words wisely and be careful and considerate.
• Do own the accountability to quickly and clearly correct any mistakes you may make in presenting information related to the Agency’s work and initiatives. For example, if you choose to modify an earlier post to a blog, readers should clearly be informed that you have done so.
• Do take a few minutes to think about what you are going to say before actually saying it.
• Do consult your manager if you are unsure on how to respond to a particular issue that is being discussed.
• Do practice good judgment always. Remember, you are the author, and responsible for anything that is published.
• Do keep the e-Participation Leader informed if you come across social media comments regarding Department level programs or the Agency in general.
DON'TS
• Don’t pretend to be someone you are not.
• Don’t comment on any matter which may have legal or commercial implications for any third party.
• Don’t use social media to criticize or denigrate colleagues or individuals, agencies, and companies that the Agency employs and/or collaborates with.
• Don’t create additional social media accounts of the Agency. All official social media accounts should be created and administered by the e-Participation Leader or the personnel assigned with the responsibilities of online communications in the Agency.
Note: Departments in the Agency seeking to market their activities in social media or who want to start a blog/create pages/accounts should channel it through the e-Participation Leader.
While in Qatar, you must adhere to the country’s policies including the responsible use of social media.
If you are still looking for jobs in Doha, a recruitment agency in Qatar can help you get hired and can guide you with the Labor Law.
What is e-Participation
e-Participation is an important index in major global e-Government rankings such as UN-e-Government Survey and WEF-Global IT Report (GITR).
The objective of e-Participation is to engage people in development policy and decision-making processes through use of information and communication technologies.
Use of electronic means and online communication channels for people-government communication offers ease of use, convenience of time and location, transparency and people’s trust, and reduction in governance cost.
Therefore, governments internationally and regionally are adopting such means and communication channels to encourage people’s participation in governance, which has aptly grown to be known as e-Participation.
What is ictQATAR
One of the objectives of ictQATAR is to improve e-Participation between government agencies and the citizens, residents and communities ofQatar (hereinafter collectively referred to as “people”).
Qatar currently ranks 45th in the UN e-Participation Index 2014. As per findings of a UN e-Government Assessment Mission conducted in 2011, the culture of e-Participation is still lacking in many institutions and people in Qatar. This is where ictQATAR comes in to sort this issue.
So, before you post anything on the Internet, think twice. Be aware of the policies so you will not be charged with penalties from improper use of social media.
If you don’t want to be penalized for the above mentioned violations and avoid any issues, beware of what you share online.
B2C Solutions is a leading manpower company in Qatar specializing in job placements and outsourcing solutions.
For more legal articles, visit www.b2c-solutions and be guided on Qatar Labour Law.
