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https://civilservice.blog.gov.uk/blog-comment-and-moderation-guidelines/

Blog comment and moderation guidelines

Please be aware that the Civil Service blog is on a public platform, and published comments – and the names they are submitted under – will be visible for anyone to read.

Please read our privacy notice to see how the GOV.UK blogging platform handles your information.

We moderate all the comments on this site before they are published.

We want readers to learn something when they read posts, and to be able to take part in a constructive debate about the subject matter.

This relies on all participants being polite and adhering to comment guidelines.

As a rule of thumb before you post a comment think:

Is this on topic, does it add constructive value to the discussion and can UK Civil Service answer publicly?

If so, we'll approve your comment. If we need to seek further advice we will let you know.

If your comment doesn't appear or is removed, it means the team feel it does not follow the site participation guidelines listed below.

If you have a query about why your contribution has not appeared on the site, or our approach to moderation, please contact us at civilservice@digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk.

Commenting closes 30 days after posts are published, to ensure discussion is current.

Participation guidelines

Always:

  • be constructive
  • be respectful of others who use this site
  • stay on topic
  • keep comments concise

We will not approve comments that:

  • are off the subject matter of the post
  • rant or vent about UK Civil Service, terms and conditions, internal processes or colleagues, including naming colleagues
  • refer to any current HR or personnel processes, including disciplinary hearings or complaints
  • are repetitions from the same user across a number of posts
  • use language that is offensive, inflammatory or provocative (this includes, but is not limited to, swearing and obscene or vulgar comments)
  • break the law (this includes libel, condoning illegal activity and contempt of court)
  • include party political messages (this site is paid for with public money so it’s inappropriate to engage in party-political activity)
  • contain personal information in comments such as addresses, phone numbers, email addresses or other online contact details, which may relate to you or other individuals
  • impersonate or falsely claim to represent a person or an organisation
  • make any commercial endorsement or promotion of any product, service or publication not relevant to the discussion

If you are aged 16 or under, please get the permission of your parent or guardian before participating. Users without this consent are not allowed to participate.

Any comments made are the author’s opinion alone and do not represent the views of HM Government.