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I don’t know why you all are starting to use social media or what you’re going to do with it, so I won’t get into all that. This attitude about contractors has really poisened the environment of many Government agencies. I don’t know why contractors are labeled as red headed step children. I’m actually a little shocked this is your dilemna and even more shocked you all feel a contractor posting something is a bad thing; as if a contractor isn’t capable. I wonder how your contractors would feel if they knew they were viewed in that light.

I think every company engaging in social media should have a communications policy. In some respects, it doesn’t and shouldn’t matter who is posting content (Government employee or contractor), but what does matter is whether or not people are following the policy put in place. A Government employee is just a likely to post something that’s goes against policy as a contractor. Human error is not determined by your employement classification.

I think this decision is going to depend on how you, your team/customers view the working relationship between Government employees and contractors. If they’re of the mindset thinking contractors are “less than” and are of little relevance, then I suspect they’ll want to make a policy that states contractors are not allowed to post. If the mindset is one that understands you’re all on the same team, then they’re likely to create or support a policy that fosters that type of working relationship.

I feel compelled to ask you to really think about the message you’re going to send if you should so choose (I’m not sure who has the final word on this decision) to create a policy that shuts contractors out. It truly sends a horrible message and does not foster a positive work community. Social media is all about openness, sharing, building and supporting communities and it would be a shame if your policy went against that by allowing some to play while shutting others out.