Get fired for blogging?
Tuesday, April 8, 2008 17:45I just finished reading an article on Yahoo titled 5 Ways your computer use can get you fired. The first one listed is blogging. Apparently someone was fired because they had an unapproved blog. I found this interesting as I plan on working within the next year as I will have my degree. I do plan on letting anyone I interview for know what I do online as it is on my resume. I also have an interior design blog, the only one I think could cause an issue. Hopefully I can work it so that I can keep the blog and still get a job.
The blogger that was fired worked for CNN, so I do understand why the company fired them at the same time I still think it sucks. The employee though should have known that working in a media field they would be considered a competition and should have gotten permission. Yes we all have a right to do things but when you start covering public people as this blogger did you may be overstepping your work boundary’s.
I believe if it had been a more personal blog, that kept out work related issues or people, the blogger may not have been fired. It just seems strange that you could get fired for blogging.
Email this post
Michael S Hussey says:
April 9th, 2008 at 12:23 am
My blog is about my job. I can see how blogging can potentially create conflicts of interest. I had to go back and edit an earlier post because my post was taken as personal attack against my coworkers. Whatever you post you have to be careful because it can be taken the wrong way.
MattK says:
April 9th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Blogging can be hazardous to your health, at least to your employment health. I work for myself, so the issue is different, but I am sure that some potential customers have stayed away if they found my blog and disagreed with what I had to say.
MattK’s last blog post..By: Your page is now on StumbleUpon!
Karlana says:
April 10th, 2008 at 4:40 am
If they truly wanted to blog about their job, from that point of view being CNN, they could have used a blog set up through their work. But I am wondering if they were a reporter, photographer/media personnel, or just a random gopher!
Karlana’s last blog post..Flickr’ed :: Spring Break 2008 of the Kids
Tina Kubala says:
April 11th, 2008 at 6:27 am
I am hugely careful about writing about work or even personal family stuff. This is more because my URL is my name. While employers may not know I blog, it is common practice to Google applicants. My site is the first result for my name.
Tina Kubala’s last blog post..Nostalgia for the Magic Kingdom
Holly says:
April 11th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Tina, I also try not to say too much about my personal life, but I have a very common name and after reading your comment I googled myself and I think something about me comes up on page 18!
You do make a good point, the Internet is open to everyone and employers can find you anywhere, even on myspace or other social sites. You have to be careful how you present yourself.