Feedback Form
Home Features Mastermind Forums About Advertise Blog Network Contact Be An Author

Employee Policies About Blogging & Electronic Communication

Employee Policies About Blogging & Electronic Communication

Blogs and blogging are a fascinating social phenomenon and employee policies and procedures generally have not kept up. Blogs are similar to on-line bulletin boards. People use blogs as a way of self expression, saying what they think or feel about a topic or an issue, or in response to someone else’s thoughts. Many people have their own personal blog to journal their day or their lives.

It is also an interesting phenomenon that people feel more “open” when communicating via email, text or a blog. By this I mean many people use the process of writing as a form of “dear diary” or therapy. They put their deepest thoughts and feelings down without pausing to think or reflect on the impact their words may have on others. They respond instantly, without many of the usual social niceties coming into play.

I have a theory that as this technology is still so new, we haven’t yet developed the generations of social rules to govern its use. This means that at times we have people being too honest and too open. Just like a diary isn’t generally meant to be read out aloud, many people’s blog entries, texts or emails also aren’t meant to be read out aloud.

Blogs are like knives – very useful tools, but use them the wrong way and they can cut.
If you are managing staff this can be a real problem. One of the first things I do when I take on a new client is to do a Google search on the company name + blog. It is often surprising to find how many people are blogging about a company. Blogs are generally public records – once a posting is made, it is hard to have it removed.

In the USA employers have found commercial in confidence secrets posted in blogs for all to see. You can discover allegations of sexual harassment and bullying, as well as genuine whistle blowing or malicious gossip posted in blogs, with names and details of the alleged perpetrators listed.

Through emails a number of people have been caught emailing private files to the opposition, as well as walking out the door with significant amounts of intellectual property. Usually this is only discovered once a person has left and someone takes the time to look through the “sent” box.

Emails have been used to bully other staff and to get other employees in trouble by sending inappropriate emails from their computer if they forget to lock their computer screen.

Emails have also been sent in anger and frustration and have rapidly escalated out of control, like the case in a law firm in Sydney where 2 girls started a fight over a sandwich in a fridge that rapidly escalated to the entire firm as well as some outside contacts being cc’d into each others vitriol.

Instant messaging is another challenge. When used for work purposes, in work time it can facilitate communication and sharing of information on projects. When used the wrong way it degenerates into massive time wasting, inappropriate gossip and leaking of material.

The trouble is that these blogs, messaging and emails are creating images about your company in the minds of your potential customers. One bad blog or email can undo years of careful branding of your business. One blog or email leak of confidential information can set your business back years financially.

As a manager, you need to consider the modern technologies that are available to your staff and put in place some basic operating rules (until societies rules catch up).

Any rules or policies need to cover off:

• when it is appropriate to blog or use instant messaging. Should they be used only in break times or not at all at work

• what information can be shared with others (you need to explain what information is confidential and what isn’t)

• what searches (if any) you will conduct on business emails, wikis or blogs

• what will be the consequences for breaking the rules including posting or sharing information inappropriately

The trick is to have a conversation about the boundaries with all new staff on their first day as well as existing staff.

The earlier staff know the boundaries and have them periodically reinforced, the more likely you will be to have productive and happy employees that use modern technology for the purpose it was designed for and not for bringing down your business.





Employee Policies About Blogging Electronic Communication - To learn more about this author, visit Ingrid Cliff's Website.

Like this article? Share it with your friends

Article Feedback
 Article Feedback No article feedback found.
  Leave Your Feedback
article feedback

Article Feedback

To learn more about the Evan Elite Author Program please contact us.

About The Author


Ingrid Cliff
(Visit Ingrid's Website) Ingrid Cliff is a Brisbane freelance writer and the Chief Word Wizard of Heart Harmony - her writing services studio that helps put your business into words. Ingrid writes a free weekly newsletter packed full of small business tips to help both you and your business grow www.heartharmony.com.au .

Ingrid Cliff is a Platinum author on EvanCarmichael.com
About The Author

View Author Blog
View Author Blog

View Author Video
View Author Video

Free Downloads


Ingrid Cliff's

Complete
List Of
Business-Coach
Articles

Name
Email
If you enjoyed this article, get Ingrid Cliff's Complete List of Business-Coach Articles For FREE!

More Ingrid Cliff
Is There a Perfect Job
Tips on Writing Guarantees
Managing Parttime Employees Full time Headache
What Position Is Your Marketing for Small Business Communication In
Tips on Writing Your Brand In Words
SEO Copywriting Tips to Increase Your Search Engine Rankings
A Leadership Guide To Managing Change
You Can Have Any Colour As Long As It Is Black
Business Planning for Small Business
Happiness is only a thought away
Free Downloads


 
 
 


Evan Elite Authors
Jeff Foster  
Dave Kurlan  
Joe Dager  
Evan Elite Authors

Become An Author
Have you written articles that would be of value to entrepreneurs? Become an expert on our site by publishing them! Expose yourself to a wide audience, drive more traffic to your website and get more sales! Click Here for details.
Become An Author

Evan's Latest Video
Modeling the Masters: Learn the true secrets behind Walt Disney's business success factors & grow your company! Video produced by Phanta Media
Evan's Latest Video

Business Opportunities
"Learn straight from Evan how you can Make a Full Time Income (And More) from a Website"

How to Start An Online Business

Click Here To Learn More
Business Opportunities



Evan's Newsletter
Get advice & tips from famous business owners, new articles by entrepreneur experts, my latest website updates, & special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Name:
Email:
Evan`s Newsletter

Free Downloads
QuickBooks Self Quiz Icon QuickBooks Self Quiz
3 Deadly Traps Icon 3 Deadly Traps
Startegic Plan Creation Icon Startegic Plan Creation
Webinar Plan Icon Webinar Plan
Home Party Plan Mistakes Icon Home Party Plan Mistakes
Free Downloads - Complete List

Entrepreneur Tools and Guides
Top 50 Marketing Blogs To Watch In 2008
Top 50 Marketing Blogs
Top Blogs To Watch In 2008
 
Top 50 SEO Posts of the Year
Top 50 SEO Posts - 2007
Top SEO Posts of the Year
 
Entrepreneur Tools and Guides

SEO For Africa
SEO For Africa
Mabousso Gaye THIES, Senegal,
Mabousso Gaye
THIES, Senegal
SEO For Africa

If I Were A Startup...
Jeff Roick, $1.4 to $6.5 Mil in 2 years
Jeff Roick
$1.4 to $6.5 Mil in 2 years
Robert Iachetta, $372k to $921k in 2 years
Robert Iachetta
$372k to $921k in 2 years
If I Were A Startup... - Complete List

Famous Entrepreneurs
Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks
Steven Spielberg
DreamWorks
J.P. Morgan, JP Morgan
J.P. Morgan
JP Morgan
Famous Entrepreneurs - Complete List

Entrepreneur Advice
Paul Kedrosky, Venture Capitalist
Paul Kedrosky
Venture Capitalist
Ask Michael Gerber, Reader Questions
Ask Michael Gerber
Reader Questions
Entrepreneur Advice - Complete List

Popular Articles
(Premium Authors)

     I Don’t Care About You
By Don Zihlman
     See No Ad, Hear No Ad, Make No Sales
By Don Zihlman
     The Forgotten Art of Conversation
By Don Zihlman

Have A Suggestion?
Toronto Salsa Classes / Toronto Salsa Lessons Email us your ideas on how to make our website more valuable! Thank you Sharon from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for your suggestions to make the newsletter look like the website and profile younger entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez and Sean Combs!
Have A Suggestion?

More Evan Carmichael
More Information