Getting it All Wrong

Note: I wrote this post initially by myself, and then asked some other bloggers to contribute. Phelony Jones had so much to say that we decided to write separately and release our thoughts at the same time. Her thoughts are similar, but she's got a different perspective. She really does a good job analyzing the ethics of blogging and the responsibilities of employers and bloggers. Go read her thoughts, too!

Since I've been chatting with anonymous bloggers I've discovered that there are a few common reasons why bloggers hide their identity. Of course there are personal reasons, but the most common response seems to be something else: employers read blogs.

First of all, I don't believe that employers are searching blogs as often as the media would like us to believe. The MSM does have a thing against blogs, after all. But, I do think that web searches are becoming a common practice as part of background checks. Why not? Information is readily available on the internet. Doing the right searches will turn up tons of boring comments written by me on PLCs.net.

If you haven't "Googled" yourself (or your friends) you really ought to try it out. You might find something interesting. I once found a snarky document that I wrote in high school. It was sitting in the archives of some Swedish web site!

The real point that I want to make with this post is that I don't think bloggers should worry that their current or future employer sees their blog. Most of us know what lines to draw when we pick our topics.

To any employer who is applying a knee-jerk reaction upon seeing an employee blog: you are gullibly responding to media hype. We all know from the Kurt Vlach incident that the media will choose to ignore certain noteworthy efforts by blogs in favor of something more "juicy." Why did Fred get no credit for breaking the Vlach story, but when two teens go on a killing spree the headline is that they both had MySpace accounts? It's an effort by the media to paint blogs and the internet as somehow sinister.

Who wouldn't hire a blogger?

From where I sit, I see that bloggers are thoughtful, motivated, dedicated, creative, hard working, and have good communication skills. Did I miss any other attributes that are commonly listed in the want ads? Why would you turn down an individual who is simply demonstrating the qualities that you claim to desire?

The sad truth is that corporate lawyers fear headlines. They see bloggers as individualistic, free-spirited, unaccountable, and a liability. Well, I've got news for them: there's no one more unaccountable than an anonymous blogger. How are you ever going to know if you've hired one? And, how is a blogger different from an employee with access to email?

At any moment the whistle could be blown. The trick, as a company, is not to do anything worthy of a headline you don't want to read. It's THAT SIMPLE. Maintain high ethical standards and keep your employees happy. If you can't do that, then maybe you shouldn't hire bloggers. And, as a blogger I'm perfectly happy that you won't hire me.

I guess that I am fortunate to work for a boss who encourages my bad habits and a company that doesn't waste resources on babysitting.