UFT Meta Policy
The UFT’s Facebook page, Instagram account and Threads account are places to share ideas and information and to host an exchange of views about public education and other issues of interest to UFT members. We encourage open discussion and invite you to share your opinions. However, we reserve the right to remove comments or material that:
- reasonably could be viewed as malicious, obscene, threatening or intimidating, that disparage members or any other persons or entities with which the UFT interacts, or that might constitute unlawful harassment. Examples include offensive posts meant to intentionally harm someone’s reputation, or posts that could contribute to a hostile work environment on the basis of race, sex, disability, religion or any other status protected by law. Please remember that there are civil and criminal laws against certain forms of speech, such as defamation of character and unlawful harassment on the basis of race, sex, disability, religion or any other status protected by law. Posters are responsible for what they post and should realize there may be serious consequences for illegal behavior;
- are not about public education, workers’ rights or other issues of interest to UFT members;
- contain unauthorized promotional materials, advertisements or other commercial solicitations, including the buying, selling or trading of any commercial product or service, like personal items such as want ads, or the solicitation of money for investments or charities;
- are repetitive and posted by the same individual, not designed to engage in debate about UFT policies, union governance or terms and conditions of employment, but rather to saturate a post or page with spam. Posters should strive to remain on topic when commenting on a post;
- and contain links without any explanation.
The UFT reserves the right to ban repeat offenders of this policy after a warning.
Facebook, Instagram and Threads are online networks that are open to the public. Forum members are advised that their comments on UFT Facebook, Instagram and Threads posts are visible to all members, including the public. Thus, commenters should use their best judgment when formulating a post. Remember that the Internet archives almost everything; therefore, even deleted comments can be searched.
Posts should never include information or rumors about others that the poster knows to be false. The impersonation of a spokesperson for the UFT or any other member of the forum is prohibited and could result in the removal of posts. Examples of such conduct include the use of similar usernames and content intended to deliberately deceive with respect to a person’s online identity.
Although the UFT Meta accounts are not intended as forums for UFT employees, please note that, while decorum in communication is desired, nothing in this or any other UFT policy limits an employee’s ability to discuss or to act together to address issues of workplace concern, such as salaries, benefits, hours or other working conditions, including in instances where such communication is heated or contentious.
Similarly, nothing in this or any other UFT policy limits UFT members’ ability to participate in UFT business or express views about UFT policies or union governance.
Opinion or questions not related to a UFT social media post can be sent to the UFT in a message via Messenger or Instagram Direct Messenger.