This is worth a read. The Cabinet Office has published guidance for civil servants on the use of social media as well as tips for government Departments on how to overcome the technical barriers to civil servants accessing the internet and social media channels.

It’s always good to hear some sensible words on social from someone very senior. In this instance they come from Sir Bob Kerslake (@sirbobkerslake), Head of the Civil Service, who talks about the change social media is bringing to the way the civil service, and the rest of us, will work in the future.

He makes good points talking about how the workplace “will have to be less rigid, less hierarchical and a lot more flexible”.

While there is maybe little new for those who are well used to social media channels the guide has six principles, which are decent reminders of good social media practice.

The social media guidance is made up of six principles:

Government should

• Communicate with citizens in the places they already are
• Use social media to consult and engage
• Use social media to be more transparent and accountable
• Be part of the conversation with all the benefits that brings
• Understand that government cannot do everything alone, or in isolation
• Expect civil servants to adhere to the Civil Service Code (online as well as offline)

You can find the guidance on social media use is on the Cabinet Office website.

The Cabinet office guidelines are unlikely to make the kind of stir we have seen in recent months with the likes of Sky News after it went anti-social media with its ban on retweeting others.

Sky’s move was similar to what AP advised staff when it also said not to retweet in its social media guidelines.

Prior to that we read about how London Olympics volunteers told not to share on social media.

Finally, one of the best from the BBC. In its social media usage guidelines it advised employees ‘don’t do anything stupid’. Always good advice.