Dealing with negative feedback on social

The University does not accept any form of bullying or harassment to or by members of staff.  The following examples are types of behaviour displayed through social media communications which the University considers to be forms of online bullying: 

  • Maliciously spreading rumours, lies or gossip.
  • Intimidating or aggressive behaviour.
  • Offensive or threatening content or comments.
  • Posting comments or photos or other media deliberately mocking an individual with intent to harass or humiliate them.
  • Posting any form of content which is perceived as offensive or upsetting to any member of staff, student or member of public.
  • Online bullying might also take place via other means of electronic communication such as email, text or through instant messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger or Snapchat or through anonymous channels such as ‘ghost’ social media accounts or platforms such as Tumblr etc.

 Any staff member who is experiencing online bullying via social media by a student, another member of University staff or members of the public should raise any concerns through the Grievance Procedure in the first instance. Any member of staff who experiences online bullying may also seek support from HR.

 Any staff member who is concerned about online bullying by anonymous ‘trolls’ – i.e. those behind social media accounts not affiliated to the University and created purely for malicious intent – should report this to the platform on which the incident(s) took place. Online incidents which cause staff to feel threatened or fear for their personal safety, may also be reported to authorities such as Police Scotland. The Social Media Team within CMR should also be notified at socialmedia@stir.ac.uk to be made aware for monitoring purposes.

It is important to not engage with comments or messages of this nature as this can encourage the continuation of the harassment.

 Any member of staff found to be bullying others online will be considered to be in breach of University policy and could be subject to disciplinary procedures.