Volunteer and paid content moderators should sign an agreement with the service provider before becoming a moderator for several reasons:
Confidentiality
Moderators often have access to sensitive or private information, including users’ personal data or posts that haven’t been made public yet. An agreement helps ensure that moderators understand their responsibility to keep this information confidential.
Guidelines and Policies
By signing an agreement, moderators commit to following the service provider’s content guidelines, rules, and procedures. This helps maintain consistency in moderation across the site and ensures that all moderators are held to the same standards.
Legal Protection
The agreement can protect the service provider by outlining the moderators’ responsibilities and limitations. If your moderators are unpaid, it clarifies that moderators are volunteers not employees, which can impact legal responsibilities and liabilities.
Accountability
An agreement establishes clear expectations for the moderators’ behavior and contributions. It provides a basis for accountability if a moderator does not adhere to the guidelines, or engages in misconduct.
Training and Support
The agreement might include provisions for training and support, which can help moderators perform their duties more effectively and ensure they’re well-equipped to handle various situations.
Dispute Resolution
If disputes arise between moderators and users or between moderators and the service administrators, the agreement can provide a clear process for resolution.
Overall, signing an agreement helps ensure that both the service provider and the moderators have a clear understanding of expectations, responsibilities, and procedures, leading to a more organised and effective moderation process.
