39% of bloggers put job at risk

Posted on Saturday, June 02 2007 @ 15:26 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck
A study from UK human resources firm Croner indicates that 39% of bloggers sometimes writes sensitive or damaging blog posts about their workplaces, employers or coworkers:
The company commissioned a survey that asked 2,000 people whether or not they have a blog, and if so, how many of them have posted sensitive information about work. And despite the seemingly constant stream of warnings saying otherwise, some employees still seem to think that no one will discover their blog transgressions—which could eventually get them fired.

Employees can't seem to resist the temptation to rant about their work frustrations on their blogs, failing to recognize how public they really are. Since blogs are still relatively new, Croner reasons that employees are treating them with the same informality and rash decision-making as e-mail when it was first introduced to the masses in the 90s. "Many recipients received rude, angry or otherwise inflammatory e-mails which had been written and sent in the heat of the moment," said Croner technical consultant Gillian Dowling in a statement. "Employees were advised that the use of e-mails was the equivalent of sending or dictating a letter, and just as binding. These concepts remain in e-mail or internet policies today."

But Dowling warns that blogs could do a lot more damage than hurt someone's feelings. Security, corporate image, workplace morale, and trust are just a few of the things that could be negatively impacted by casual blog rants and may even result in the employee being fired.
Source: ARS Technica.


About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



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