Employee Blogging is it a Corporate Image Issue ?

It can pass as the most widely used means of self expression on the internet today. Web Logs or blogs as widely known have become an integral part of the way people propagate ideas, concepts, products and services without fear of breaking the rules or a code of conduct. Blogs are used by individuals and organizations to post information from news, opinions, gossip and photos about business, politics, economy and communities.

It seems as if anyone and their dog has a blog. Whether it is their own , hosted on a free blogging platform such as “blogger” or ” word-press” , or self hosted, or even if the worker or client is simply responding to blog posts and posting their own comments , the result to you, your firm or organization can all be the same - loss of company secrets , well held information or worse - damage to the firm’s or organization’s well deserved , hard worked image.

In spite of the fact held , by most business people over the age of 40 , that having a web page , and hosting a webpage is an expensive matter this is not so. Such “authorities ” are misinformed to say the least. You might even hear them say about some crackpot relative “Where does he get off having his own webpage ?” , this is downright wrong. A blog is of little cost , or in most cases free of charge. If you can type on a standard office word processor - such as Microsoft Office , or Open Office , then you are entirely capable of being the webmaster of a blog. Failing that there is no law saying that you can not post comments on other people blogs , replying to their questions , concerns and postings. The employee posting blog replies may think that they are doing a good and valuable tasking - simply adding value and information to any given blog.

Working stiffs in your employee , or even those past your employ , and who were “let go” are in a position to a lot of damage to your hard earned “corporate image”. On top of that once out of the floodgates , it is virtually impossible to control and limit the spread of this information . Once on the “net” , it is now fair game for copy and dissemination. Never mind the caches and stores in and around and through out the whole world wide web .

In order to protect your business from damaging employee blogs and to reduce the risk of falling to bloggers damaging content, the following steps would be advisable;

First, create an environment where information and ideas are freely exchanged in your organization. This will allow employees with personal issues and opinions to feel free to express them within the parameters of the organization. It would be much easier to deal with it here than when its goes to the web.

Secondly, reference blogging in employee policy handbooks to promote responsible blogging. If your employees are already in the blogging culture; insist that employees place disclaimers on their personal blogs

The amount of time and effort spent , should you have a raging bonfire of a loss of private trade data , or procedures can be immense. All in all its a waste of time. It can be said that some management levels actually like to fight and even create “fires” as a means of justification of their existence and pay. Would it not be smarter from the very start to have clear policy procedures in place , including a signed non-disclosure document , clearly listing rules ,proceedings and a time line after leaving the employee ? Large corporations do this as a simple matter of routine . Should not this be your established pattern as well ?

Blogs are a powerful tool in today’s business climate which can be used for good or bad. Remember it can only take one Blog entry to destroy your business image or customer base that took 20 years to develop and nature. Take responsible steps to embrace the culture and avoid the pitfalls.

Post Job Internet Manitoba

Published by: William U. Pearson on August 31st, 2009 | Filed under Legal



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