Policies - Blogging and Social Media Policy

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Blogging, i.e., providing and updating data entries into a website, and the use of online social media are commonly referred to as “social computing”. For the purpose of this Numerex (the “Company”) Blogging and Social Media Policy (the “Policy”), social computing is defined as email, instant messaging, online contributions to “wikis”, online social networking, online diaries, micro-blogging, social bookmarking, online collaborative work, and other emerging forms of online publishing through internal sites owned or sponsored by Numerex, personal websites, Internet forums, and other external communications vehicles such as, without limitation, Facebook, Friendster, Hi5, LinkedIn, MySpace, and Twitter.

Social computing is a powerful communications tool, and an inherent component of Numerex’s business. Furthermore, it helps the Numerex community share ideas among its members and become more engaged with Numerex as well as the larger society of which Numerex is a part. Social computing is a reality, and Numerex recognizes its importance to the contemporary business environment.

By its very nature, social computing, in its multiple forms, is a free-wheeling activity. Numerex fully respects everyone’s legal rights, especially as regards participation in public discourse. However, activities in or outside of work that affect job performance or Numerex’s business interests in part or as a whole are a proper focus of company policy. While social computing creates new possibilities, it also entails new responsibilities for the Numerex community.

This Policy applies to you as a Numerex employee, consultant, or contractor, and covers all forms of social computing in which you may be engaged. Anyone else making a contribution to a blog or social computing medium hosted by Numerex is also expected to abide by the sprit of this Policy. To be clear, nothing in this Policy exempts you from any existing policy of Numerex, in particular those set forth in Numerex’s Policies and Procedures, Associate Handbook, and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. Blogs and other social media hosted by Numerex are further subject to the Numerex Blogs Terms of Use and the Terms of Use governing Numerex websites generally.

As a general matter, your communications must respect their audience. They should not employ ethnic slurs, personal insults, obscenity, or engage in any conduct that would not be acceptable in Numerex’s workplace. You should also show proper consideration for others’ privacy and for topics that may be considered objectionable or inflammatory.

The following principles govern your participation in social computing:

1. Respect, honesty and common sense are the norm.
2. All communications should be mindful of the best interests of the Company.
3. No communication should disparage anybody and in particular Numerex, its competitors, customers, partners, associates, contractors, and any other stakeholder.
4. No communication should provide any information that is confidential or proprietary to Numerex or another party.
5. If writing about Numerex’s business in an area where you have responsibility, you may want to ensure that your manager does not object to the views you wish to express.
6. If you comment on any aspect of Numerex’s business you must clearly identify yourself as a Numerex associate. When commenting on Numerex’s business on a non-Numerex site, you must put the following notice – or something similar – in a reasonably prominent place: “The views expressed on this website by the author, guest author and visitors are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of Numerex.”
7. Further, bear in mind that the views expressed on any blogging site by the author, guest author, and visitors are personal opinions, and even if expressed by a Numerex associate, consultant, or contractor, do not necessarily reflect the views of Numerex. With respect to Numerex blogging sites, a blanket disclaimer to the effect of the following should appear: “The views expressed on this site by the author, guest author, and visitors are personal opinions and even if expressed by a Numerex associate, consultants, or contractor, do not necessarily reflect the views of Numerex.” The absence of such disclaimer does not imply, and should not be construed as, an endorsement of any blog or post by Numerex.
8. Communications should, except as authorized by the Company, not include Numerex logos or trademarks, and should respect copyright, privacy, fair use, financial disclosure, and other applicable laws and regulations.
9. You should make sure that your online activities do not interfere with your job’s commitments or Numerex’s commitments to customers.
10. There will be times when the securities laws and regulations or any other applicable law or regulation might require that you refrain from blogging, avoid certain subjects or withdraw web postings.
11. Your access to a Numerex site for blogging purposes requires corporate approval.
12. Numerex reserves the right to remove or edit any comment(s) on any Numerex site that is or are in violation of this policy. Numerex also reserves the right to post particular messages or information on any Numerex site.
13. If a member of the news media, blogger, or other party contacts you about a web posting related to Numerex’s business, please refer that person to Numerex Marketing.
14. Numerex reserves the right to modify or suspend this Policy at any time, at its sole discretion. You are responsible for regularly reviewing the terms of this Policy. Be mindful that violations of this Policy - or any other company policy - may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.
15. Above all, if your are going to post, you must commit to providing accurate, timely, quality, and informative content—consistent with the requirements of this Policy.
16. If you are ever in doubt about the appropriateness of an item please contact your manager, or the Numerex Legal Department.

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