FOI requests reveal misuse of social media by staff at Welsh councils

There were 14 recorded cases of council staff misusing social media in 2012, freedom of information requests submitted by the BBC have revealed.

One of the cases – involving Powys Council – led to a staff member being suspended and later having their fixed-term contract terminated.

The employee had “sent messages of an inappropriate and suggestive nature to a learner through Facebook”, according to Newyddion Ar-lein, BBC Wales' Welsh-language news website, which submitted the FOI requests.

A number of employees received written warnings, in some cases after they disparaged their council or colleagues via Facebook.

However, ten local authorities recorded no misuse of social media.