This episode is brought to you by CompWest Insurance Company. CompWest Insurance Company is a dynamic provider of workers compensation insurance in California and select Western states, targeting customers across most major industries. They are the Western States Brandt for AF Group, an A-rated excellent company who is collectively one of the nation's largest riders of specialty insurance. You're listening to Rantra Mesa Studio One Podcast where each week we break down complex insurance and safety topics to help your business thrive.
I'm your host, Jaden Brandt, and today I'm joined by Brenda Colby, client technology specialist with Rantra Mesa. We're going to discuss how to deal with current or former employees who post slander's videos online. Brenda, welcome to the show. I didn't have it to be here.
Today, the use of social media is so widespread, it would be hard to find someone who wasn't regularly sharing photos or videos online. But that can become a liability if a current or former employee posts false or damaging claims online, otherwise known as slander. Brenda, can you explain what slander's content is in terms of an employer or their company? Sure, so slander's online content can include text videos and images posted to social media platforms or blog sites that falsely accuse an employer of actions that can damage an individual's reputation or the reputation of the company.
But current or former employee is posting slander as content online about you or your business. There are steps that you can take to prevent damages to your company's reputation, including company policies, documenting evidence, reporting the post, and seeking legal advice if necessary. Okay, so you mentioned company policies as a way to prevent slander. What can you share about using policies to discourage that type of user?
Well, a good way to prevent a current employee from posting content online that can harm your business is to make sure your company has well-established social media use policies. This policy can provide guidance on conduct and to find what content is acceptable for employees to share online. The sample social media policy is available through Rancher Mases RM365 HR Advantage Portal. That's great.
And if an employee or former employee does post-lander's content online, can you walk us through the steps to dealing with this? Absolutely. So first, collect the evidence. Screen shot or screen record the posts or videos you believe to be defamatory.
Take note of the dates and times that were shared. Then report the defamatory content to the host platform. Most social media sites have policies prohibiting harassment and defamation, as well as a reporting process you can use to remove defamatory content. And finally, seek professional advice.
Consultant attorney, reach out to an HR expert through our HR Advantage Portal and talk to your insurance advisor. If you suspect your business has suffered harm as a result of a current or former employee posting slanders content online, it may be covered under your general liability policy for personal and advertising injury coverage. That's all a really great advice. So Brenda, if listeners have questions about how to access the experts on our RM365 HR Advantage Portal, what's the best way to get in contact with you?
As always, clients can contact me at bcolby at ranchermases.com or they can call me directly at 619-486-6562. Brenda, thank you for joining me in Studio One. Thanks for having me. Thanks for tuning in to our latest episode, Produce by Studio One.
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