Hatch Act and Social Media
Hatch Act Social Media and Email Guidance
In February 2018, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) updated its guidance regarding when federal employees' use of social media violates the Hatch Act. OSC's new user-friendly guidance will help employees understand their obligations at a glance. It is designed to improve compliance with the law.
The "Hatch Act Guidance on Social Media" is a longer document with an easy-to-use format that includes a number of real world examples to illustrate how social media and the Hatch Act intersect.
The "Social Media Quick Guide" is a quick reference tool that has a checklist for permitted and prohibited social media activity for all federal employees.
OSC also has issued guidance (printable 
,1 page) on the Hatch Act implications of federal agencies' use of official social media accounts.
Please contact the Hatch Act Unit at (202) 804-7002 or hatchact@osc.gov if you have any questions regarding these guidance documents.
Updated: 2/19/13