Aquila Online

Blogging Guidelines For The Workplace

// February 27th, 2005 // General // 1,260 views

According to Netimperative, Web security company Clearswift has voiced support for “acceptable blog use” policies for the workplace, following a spate of blog-related sackings in recent months.

The firm argues that policies alone are not enough effective technology must be deployed to enforce compliance throughout the organisation, in the event of irresponsible blogging.

The chance to publish freely to the online community provides another sounding board for disgruntled, negligent or even malicious members of staff.

I would probably agree that ‘acceptable email and internet usage policies’ in organisations should be adapted to include blogging in the workplace, but purely for the sake of protecting a company’s brand image and competitive advantage.

Now I know this obviously opens up a whole kettle of fish where personal blogging at work could possibly lead to decreased productivity (i.e. time spent posting rather than working). There has been way too many incidences of people being fired for blogging at work.

Conversely, where corporate blogging is used to stimulate group creativity it could lead to an increase in productivity and hopefully could positively impact on the bottom line.

I think it’s true what Maya said, “You need to be realistic about the fact that it is open to a wide array of people. Posting something online opens you up to the kind of scrutiny that writing something in a paperback journal does not.”

This is unchartered territory and I think at the end of the day it depends on the culture of the company, your motivations behind running a blog and how you manage your time.