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Delta Air Lines last year fired flight attendant Ellen Simonetti because of her blog. Friendster, Google and Microsoft also have waved goodbye to employees or contractors who, in the opinion of a corporate manager, were unacceptably indiscreet in their online scribblings. As the popularity of blogs grows and search tools get better, such intracompany tiffs are likely to increase.
The word "blogging" refers to the process of writing a Web log--basically a specialized Web site to which individuals can post their thoughts. Those could be about politics, religion, or even about a blogger's cats and their daily antics. Popular sites that offer free blogging include Google's Blogger.com and LiveJournal.com.
In an effort to separate fact from fiction, CNET News.com offers this list of frequently asked questions about blogging at work and at home. Feel free to contribute your own thoughts and experiences in the "talkback" section at the end of this article.
What's new:
As the popularity of blogs grows and search tools get better, more companies are likely to discipline bloggers who disclose confidential or embarrassing information.
Bottom line:
If your boss should see your blog and is offended by something there, in most states you have almost no protection against being fired.
If you're already employed, your blog could get you fired. Delta Air Lines, Friendster, Google, Microsoft and Wells Fargo have all reportedly fired employees or contractors over the content of their online journals. In most cases, the bloggers were let go for either criticizing the company or fellow workers, disclosing embarrassing or confidential information or otherwise offending the boss' sensibilities.
How risky is blogging really?
Blog firings are relatively rare. In a recent survey of 279 human resource professionals by the Society for Human Resources Management, just 3 percent of companies reported disciplining bloggers and none reported firing anyone for blogging. You're more likely to get in trouble for fooling around online or downloading music at work. About half the companies in the survey said they've fired or disciplined employees for Internet use that was unrelated to work duties.
Blogging is a pretty new activity. Is my company likely to have guidelines and policies about it yet?
Few companies have created policies that specifically address blogging. But most corporate policies already address many issues related to blogs, such as protecting confidential information, upholding the company's reputation, and Internet use at work.
Can my employer fire me if I blog from home on my own time?
Yes. The odds of your company perusing your blog is slim. "But if your boss should see your blog and be offended by something there, in most states you have virtually no protection against being fired," says Lewis Maltby, president of the National Workrights Institute in Princeton, N.J.
Wait--does that mean that where I live matters?
Yes. California, New York, Colorado, Montana and North Dakota recently have enacted laws limiting when an employer can fire you based on something you do off-duty that's not related to your job. Note
See more CNET content tagged:
blogging,
blogger,
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Friendster Inc.
I feel that C/Net is one of many media sources that is hyping this up to be a first admendment and freedom of speech issue with the recent firings of the Delta and Google employee. To be fair, C/Net has gradually change the tone of recent articles noting the other side of the argument (whereas in the first 4-5 stories were more of a "freedom of speech" 'tude). Obviously, so such right exists when one violates a NDA or company ethics. I really could not give a care to people who blog, just DON'T EXPECT ME TO BE SORRY for them losing their jobs over being stupid (i.e. Simonetti and Jen). At least Jen admitted responsibility for his actions and have found new employment.
10 years ago, this would all have been about email, or emerging websites. And you know, someone would still be saying "all these websites just link to each other, there's nothing interesting, I'm sick of hearing about the web."
Blogs may be a subset of the web, but the pattern is very similar to the emergence of the web, from the initial explosion to the sudden arrival of media and commercial attention.
You know, I'm sick of hearing about this Internet thing. CNET, please stop writing about the Internet. It's all people whining about how much spam they get and copyright lawsuits. Sure, there are a few interesting sites on the web, but most of them are boring and the signal-to-noise ratio is way too high.
I feel that C/Net is one of many media sources that is hyping this up to be a first admendment and freedom of speech issue with the recent firings of the Delta and Google employee. To be fair, C/Net has gradually change the tone of recent articles noting the other side of the argument (whereas in the first 4-5 stories were more of a "freedom of speech" 'tude). Obviously, so such right exists when one violates a NDA or company ethics. I really could not give a care to people who blog, just DON'T EXPECT ME TO BE SORRY for them losing their jobs over being stupid (i.e. Simonetti and Jen). At least Jen admitted responsibility for his actions and have found new employment.
10 years ago, this would all have been about email, or emerging websites. And you know, someone would still be saying "all these websites just link to each other, there's nothing interesting, I'm sick of hearing about the web."
Blogs may be a subset of the web, but the pattern is very similar to the emergence of the web, from the initial explosion to the sudden arrival of media and commercial attention.
You know, I'm sick of hearing about this Internet thing. CNET, please stop writing about the Internet. It's all people whining about how much spam they get and copyright lawsuits. Sure, there are a few interesting sites on the web, but most of them are boring and the signal-to-noise ratio is way too high.
Your employer also generally has the right to end its relationship with you (it's called getting fired).
It's pretty unreasonable to expect someone to pay you to work for them if you're, say, complaining about the company publicly.
Your employer also generally has the right to end its relationship with you (it's called getting fired).
It's pretty unreasonable to expect someone to pay you to work for them if you're, say, complaining about the company publicly.
and see if you still believe all blogs are garbage. thank you for your interest in advance
- blogger stories
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by amber_red
February 22, 2006 6:33 AM PST
- I know there is alot of blogs out there about everything but this is everyones chance to use their creative thinking also. I enjoy blogging because it allows me to express myself and hopefully interest other people in reading it. If your interested in reading something with creativity and a story line you are more then welcome to visit my blog at http://apowerfrombeyond.blogspot.com
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See all 24 Comments >>and see if you still believe all blogs are garbage. thank you for your interest in advance