Several controversies have recently erupted regarding people's web logs getting them in trouble with their employer. Some have gotten fired because of their comments online about the company they work for. This is a very slippery topic; because of the newness of blogs, there is no established protocol on how to deal with them.
Seeing how many students who maintain blogs will soon be entering the work force full-time, there are some things you should keep in mind if you plan to discuss your working life on a blog or Web site.
First of all, realize that anybody with an Internet connection can access anything you write. Many are writing in the public domain, not on a private, password-only Web site. Keep in mind how your worst enemy would react if he or she read what you are writing, because more often than not your worst enemy will end up seeing it.
Second, don't use the real names of the people or company that you work with and for. Avoid the temptation to make it obvious who you're talking about. Be clever and judicious in your use of details, so that you can get your point across without incriminating anyone. If you do not respect the privacy of others, don't be surprised when others don't respect your right to whine about your work online.
Some campanies are being too defensive and firing employees over trivial comments in personal blogs. However, many employee contracts stipulate that employees cannot write anything negative about the company, and that clause certainly applies to online writing. There are no clear standards right now on the topic of blogs, so it's better to stay on the safe, albeit vague, side.
