August 06, 2005

Blogging and Work: Beware!

Remember the chick at the fashion magazine who lost one job and the prospect of another because she "blogged the beans" about the many perks involved in the fashion industry? Here's yet another story about how careful you have to be if you blog (or just post comments on blogs) and talk about work:

A California automobile club has fired 27 workers for posting messages on a popular social networking Web site.

[...]

Club spokeswoman Carol Thorp said comments were made about other workers' weight and sexual orientation.

[...]

Thorp said employees were also dismissed because they discussed online how they planned to slow down roadside assistance at work. [emphasis added]

Even if you blog on your own time, if you discuss your workplace you had better think about possible consequences. Those who blog anonymously and speak about work in only general terms (griping about anonymous coworkers, etc.) are usually pretty safe. However, how stupid can you get to use your name AND talk about how you plan to screw up major operations within your company?

I make it a policy never to discuss anything about where I work. When I first started this blog, I did write one post with a few general complaints about the type of coworker you may have in your office. However, upon reflection, I decided it was best to err on the side of caution and I deleted it. I don't mention my company name or anything else about work because the last thing I need is for some higher up at my company to chance upon my blog and see something that will get his knickers in a twist. I really need my job, and to get fired because of a hobby is not something I like to think about.

Common sense, people, common sense. Use it!

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