Caught blogging about our job and our coworkers!

Case 3: You complained about work, your employer, and your coworkers on your blog and/or comments wall. Your workplace saw what you did and now you are in trouble. What are the issues?

• Can I write whatever we want because of my First Amendment right to freedom of speech?
• My coworkers are hurt because I did not confront them privately, person-to-person.
• Some people thrive on the idea that they have an audience for their drama. That's one reason why online profiles are popular.
• People become fearless when writing on a computer, ignoring the fact that their is a world of people that might read it.
• My parents should know about this issue, as should my supervisor.
• I should make myself a promise to be reflective about the information that I share online and I should honor that promise.
• Think before I write and click.
• I should make a deal with myself to only write about social stuff, no professional information allowed. Create a "vision" for the blog.
• Keep gossipy comments to myself.
• Talk to my employer about company policies surrounding Internet and the workplace.
• Consider it part of your job to keep professional information within the organization.
• To fix the problem, I could remove or delete the comments.
• I could apologize to my coworkers personally, and ask them whether they want me to make a public apology through the same medium that got me into trouble in the first place.
• To raise awareness as part of a public service or to share my experience, I could contact the newspaper, find information on the Internet.
• Make all employees read and sign the company's ethical code regarding using the Internet, including consequences if they fail to comply.