Employee Blogging is it a Corporate Image Issue ?
It seems that almost everyone has a blog today . Blogs are are the new “Coronation Street”. People may not talk to their neighbors anymore . However they may well be following their online blog. Yet that blog roll may well spill the beans about what should be considered private and confidential workplace matters as well as proprietary if not trade secrets and procedures at the firm and home office.
You may be surprised to know that the number of blogs has been growing tremendously in the recent past Blog herald, a Blog authority “, indexed the startling count of 50Million blogs as of the end of May 2006. Even at that point the growth of blogs and the Blog count was almost logarithmic with no end in site. No doubt about it there are tons of blogs out there of every shape and description , the growth is phenomenal , No doubt some of your employees are out there Blogging which at the very least not only involves their home , family and personal lives but events and personalities at work , no doubt.
It is easy today to blog . The costs are trivial , if not free of charge. The tools are easy. If you can write on a simple word processor then you can blog . Simple as that.
As an employer or consultant you need to be aware of the blogs and postings of current staff on the job , as well as former employees , who may well be disgruntled , and who even go by pseudonyms.
What should management , employers and supervisor do to prevent such damage and havoc ? What steps and procedures be implemented and firmly in place ?
First and foremost a true environment of openness and honesty should be maintained and at the worst strived for. Nothing begets anger more than suppressed anger. The stiff upper lip does not cut it anymore.
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
Also, require employees to sign a non-disclosure contract as a standard in employment. And ensure that older employees as well as new hires are required to sign this form. As part of this policy make it clear that release of confidential corporate information is legal grounds for immediate dismissal from the firm and set policies and guidelines that prohibit employees from publishing defamatory blogs about your business, co-workers or clients.
Blogs in today’s business world are a two edged sword. Used well they can promote your business , organization and website presence. Your awareness on the world wide web can improve , you can develop targeted niche customers and followers. You can enhance your corporate , company or groups inherent image immensely. Blogs involve customers in a community – both for good for bad. They may even see your product or service as “theirs” and “theirs to uphold and protect”. All in all in the internet marketing world these weblogs are playing an increasing role in search engine positioning , whether it is the search engine ranking results (SERPs) of Google, Yahoo & Bing (formerly MSN ). Why take a chance of a loose cannon diminishing all your careful efforts . Monitor your employee’s blogs. Take the time to set standards and rules when it comes to hirelings, operatives and former staff employee members , when it comes to online blogs and blogging.