Moderation Policies

[Belthazar]

Do you have a moderation policy on your forum? If so, is it detailed to every possible rule infraction, or is it very vague and allows moderators a lot of flexibility? There are definitely pros and cons of having both types of moderation policy, but I myself tend to have one in the middle. While it's important to have most things covered to ensure all members are fairly dealt with, your staff should also be able to have some flexibility. What about your moderation policy?

 

[Teg1]

I do have a moderation policy for my forum. Typically, it allows moderators some flexibility, but it also instructs them on how to go about handling infractions. Pretty much, there's a 5 strikes and your out policy. However, if a major rule is broken, automatic bans are in place.

 

[Mozzie]

I have them as well, but we never have any probs on mine. Never have had. But mine are set out so the one mod we have on there can freely do what she wants to do within reason.

 

[Thomasss]

I'm picky when hiring my staff, for the same reason that I don't have a overly huge moderation policy. For the most part, I leave it up to the moderator to decide what to do, from giving out infractions to banning and adding account restrictions. I usually hire people that know what on earth they are doing, and with giving them pretty much the freedom to do what they think should be done, it gets them working more in a team, I'm not sure why but hey, it works.

We of course monitor what they do, though I trust my staff fully and if they think a ban or infraction is needed, I let them hand it out. There's no need to have an overly complicated moderation policy as well as the need to monitor everything your staff do unless you don't trust them, and if you don't trust them even after they have left the probation period, you need to be thinking about kicking them off.