To blog or not to blog — is the burning question!
THE INTERNET is touted as the final frontier for self-expression sans censorship. The easy creation and maintenance of web pages has led to a blog explosion. Popularly known as Blogosphere it is the ultimate democratic media ecosystem, where the individual experiences unrestricted freedom of expression.
As more and more people seek publishing gratification in cyber space, blogs are here to stay. Simply put a blog is a person's chronicle of a day's events, experiences and contacts made from dawn to dusk, online for all to read.
Blogs are meticulously maintained and updated every hour of the day.
Many bloggers have left their day jobs to make blogging a money making venture.
Virtual world impacts the real!
Recently, an employee of a major search engine company was fired because he had published his experiences in the company in his blog. Apart from detailing his work, he talked about the well-stocked cafeteria and also commented about the company's finances. For that company it was an absolute NO-NO.
A lady flight attendant of an airline was fired because she had posted pictures of herself in uniform in her blog that chronicles her experiences as a flight attendant. The company termed her pictures "inappropriate" and dismissed her.
While appointment letters of many IT companies run into pages, explaining the consequences of divulging company secrets, there are still no clear cut rules about maintaining blogs.
Some companies candidly ask you to mention your online activities so that they can discreetly monitor it.
Many companies actively encourage their employees to express themselves online. They view employees' blogs as valuable feedback that will help in improving working conditions and management practices.
Most companies however do not address the issue until it becomes a problem.
In India blogging is very popular with entire groups of professionals dedicated to exchanging ideas and developing new technologies.
It is time companies take a stand regarding this medium of expression. They need to give it a serious thought and define company policies regarding employees' online diaries.
What companies can do...
Disclaimers:
Companies can make it mandatory for employees to have a disclaimer on the homepage of their blog.
It should clearly state that the views expressed are that of the individual and are not supported, or seconded in any way, by the company.
The disclaimer needs to be prominently displayed, so that the viewers take the comments as personal expression rather than reflective of the company's view point.
Consequences:
The management should have a well defined policy towards its employees' online publication rights. It needs to clearly state what is acceptable and what is not. The employees must be made aware of the consequences of recklessly divulging company, research, and product information.
Interaction:
Employees on their part can discuss with managers before writing about developments at the work place. This acts as a safeguard. Volunteering information is an easy way to maintain a good relationship with the management, without surrendering personal freedom.
Respect company confidentiality:
In such a market-sensitive scenario it is advisable to respect company confidentiality. It is only fair that the management attempts to protect new product development, research and financial information. An untimely or unintentional leak can cause the share prices of the company to plummet. New media technologies are making communication faster and more efficient. While everybody gets to enjoy the freedom of this medium, it also calls for individual responsibility for the information being showcased.
Mutually agreed upon guidelines must be followed by individuals and organisations so that neither the company's right to privilege of information nor the employees' right to freedom of expression are infringed upon.
MALINI SURYANARAYANAN
faqs@cnkonline.com
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