Should I go annonymous? Blogging, Facebook, Social Media

buckeyebabe99

Since I hold a Director's position at my company, I'm considering going "under cover" based on the CNN journalist getting canned.  While I'm unsure of my indended length of employment here, going forward, this could be more of an issue should a new employer have more knowledge about social media. 

It's a sad day when your employer can use your personal life against you. Although, I guess if you're representing your company at all times (as I've even preached when in travel sales), I guess it could be twisted to be tied to the company. 

While mine are light-hearted, there are times when I'm tempted to write about my career struggles.  I'm even hesitant to recommend other married, young employees to this site only because I wouldn't have a place to vent then.

Here's the story.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chez-pazienza/say-what-you-will-requie_b_87282.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chez-pazienza/say-what-you-will-requie_b_87282.html

OUAmanda927

That's a concern I've had in the past. I would recommend you go anonymous or use an alias. Just because your name is not yours, you can still say what's on your mind. It's better to be safe than sorry, especially since you may be looking for a new job soon.

DiscoDiva1226

I;m coming out of the woodwork to answer this one...

Blogging and facebook sites weren't around ten years ago, and today, although they allow for a new generation of social media, information gathering, and social networking, which can be good and bad. Are employers going to Google you? Try to look you up on Facebook or MySpace? You bet. I found one of my old boss's blogs where she talked about work.

In my field of work, we are encouraged to have Facebook pages and the like that demonstrate our devotion to these new social networking technologies and ways to share information. In more simplistic terms, to show that we're "hip" and "with it" as far as technology goes. (I'm a librarian, BTW)

But knowing that everyone is searchable, I don't have anything that I think can be constrewed as offensive. Nothing about religion, nothing against politics, no cursing, nothing about hate (including Michigan), no crazy pictures. If anyone has any problem with my Facebook page, it will have to be about my interest of the show, "Alias".

So ultimately, what this way too long post is about, is that if you want to rant and rave about things, don't attatch your name. At all. If you still want to talk about work and possibly rant, I'd lock your entries, make it "friends only" or whatnot. A guy from a posting forum I visit was fired from his job because he used his first name and spoke "poorly" about his workplace (I don't post there). If you want yourself to be searchable, beware of everything you put down. In the article you linked, Chez was fired for "non-CNN writings". If possible, know your company's policy on blogging and social activities. If there isn't one, maybe there should be one.

Hope this helps, and I hope I wasn't too preachy. This is just an issue I know about.

wacissej2

Yes! My DH is a labor and employment attorney and he has dealt with dozens of cases where people have gotten fired for things they've written on blogs, myspace, facebook and over emails. I've read a lot of blogs that do remain anonymous so they can rant more loosely on jobs and other people. And I've had two previous employers who told me after the fact that they googled my name to find out more about me.

buckeyebabe99

Thanks for your insight. We have no such policies. I'm head of E-business and can't seem to get anyone to embrace new media outside of email marketing and our website.  Our agents are blocked from any social media opportunities and, IMO, are losing valuable networking opportunities.  Will my employer google me? Probably not.  A future employer, however, maybe.  Perhaps I should say "I hope so".  At least then I'll know they are on the cutting edge of technology

brandonsgrl

I would at least make everything private (for Facebook and MySpace).  That way, they can't see anything but a picture, your name, and a quote (if you have all that). The only thing I would worry about is posting on here or your blog. If you're worried about those, I'd take any pictures referencing yourself and Craig out of your signature, bio, image and blog. That would help make it more anonymous.

YourSong

I would be not use my real name anywhere on the internet.  In my blog, initals and fake names all around!  I also haven't given anyone my  name on this site for that reason.  (Not because I don't like talking to people.)
You can be fired from my job if you have a facebook/myspace account.  Doesn't matter if you say or do anything, just to have it.

jannypie

i keep everything online private except my craft blog. there have been days that i have REALLY wanted to vent about work on there (wanting to craft instead of work), but i know that i gave out cards with the addy during xmas time so i don't. sometimes i wish i could just speak my mind but the internet is so open.. idk just not worth it to me.

LittleHowell

I have a myspace and facebook and used to have a blog.  I almost got fired last December because of things that I wrote on my blog.  I didn't put my name on it, but somehow my district got ahold of it and I admitted that it was mine.  They wouldn't tell me who/how they got it, but someone printed off all the pages of my blog about my weekend activities and gave it to the superintendent of my district.  So because of that now I have everything set to private and I don't write as much as I used to.