Need revision of rules to adapt to digital era

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Debate and dissension have followed a bus conductor from Osmanabad who was suspended by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) for her Instagram reels and Facebook videos filmed while on duty and in uniform. The MSRTC said it was against service rules and amounted to misconduct. The social media accounts of the conductor are full of several posts on duty, in uniform, and on the MSRTC premises, a report said in this paper.

A top MSRTC official questioned how this conductor can do both, her duty and create so many posts on social media at the same time. This, he said, was cause for concern. Though not stated overtly, he meant there is a question mark hanging whether this is divided attention, when on duty.

Rules may have to be changed to factor in the times we live in, where social media has become part of life. This is not to say that everybody on duty can post on social media, it is to bring clarity for employees.

If they are not supposed to make any posts, it should be clearly said and punishment for the same has to be explained and even written in the rule book, so that each one knows exactly where one stands.

If they are allowed to post, when can they do so? Are they allowed to post while in uniform? What contents should be disallowed? What constitutes disrespect or dereliction of duty? What about other employees who may be ‘aiding' in these posts? We need aspects addressed and constant revision of rules, and upgrades, to ensure no grey area, and take cognisance of a new world and new ways of communicating. The younger generation inhabit a parallel universe, and both worlds - the virtual and the real - intersect for them.