In Shimmelle's PDF today she asks what we are prepared to share online and to be honest, up til 4 months ago I would have anything. However I am now having to be extremely careful about what I am considering sharing with you all, not because I dont want to continue to be myself but because of the impact which it could have on my career.
Many of us work in public roles eg teaching, health service, civil service, banks etc and for us there is a Code of Professional conduct which we must adhere to. Over the past few months, it has been brought to attention, how something you say on your blog can so easily be misinterpreted by another and that such misinterpretation could lead to professional misconduct issues. This is across the board, be it Twitter, Facebook and blogs etc. We have recently had direct instructions from our employer as to what is considered inappropriate activity on these sites and it has been emphasised the importance of being careful about what you share and say. I have been left with a slightly bittersweet taste as I love my blog and dont want to be limited in what I say however for my own safety and professional reasons I will have to be. I dont want to make my blog private and password protected because it then limits who can come and visit and I love meeting new people and I think that would be a shame.
Anyway, this is just a few thoughts I wanted to share with you if you are new to blogging and concerned about privacy and professionalism for example. Please dont be put off, I love my blog and have nothing but praise for all the wonderful people I can count as blogfriends.
Anyway on a lighter note, I had this link sent to me today for some cute dragonflies to make from Amy of Lucy Kate crafts fame. Its for a cute PDF of her pattern which looks like this:
and again some music for Tuesday, today a favourite lady from more recent times Mrs Russell Brand otherwise known as Katy Perry...................
It's about finding a balance I guess? Like I would probably share the odd anecdote but never anything about a specific person or any details at all. Just not worth the hassle!
ReplyDeleteMy blog is primarily to share my crafting....though I do add a few anecdotes and opinions.....but there is lots I wouldn't ever want to put on my blog....probably because I'm quite a private person.....but as I'm also in the public sector....I do understand the 'professional' issues.
ReplyDeleteBut I have always loved your honesty,Jo.
I share your thoughts and concerns about how to tread between about the need to protect oneself, and one's professional identity too, yet share enough of oneself to let people feel they can connect with you. I guess it's always possible to go back and delete posts if you feel they reveal too much - won't prevent those who've already read it from remembering the content (though I suspect very few can keep lots of info from blogs in their heads!) but it would enable you to prevent others from reading them in the future?
ReplyDeleteI suppose I started blogging really to show my crafting, or for the shop - and for those reasons I tend to just post "fluff" if you like, my deep (or not so deep LOL) thoughts, are usually kept to girly chats over a glass of wine :) but I can understand your upset though about not being able to say what you really want to say. Still, I'm sure you'll find your feet in how to use your blog for future. I signed up the first time around for the blogging for scrapbookers, and hoping to play along this time :)
ReplyDeleteI work in a school so am constantly told about things not to put on the internet! So easy to get yourself into trouble with a casual comment. I hope it doesn't restrict my blogging too much though, I try to reflect what's going on in my life without too many details. It's a good thing to think about though isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI started off being very cautious and at times I think I may go too far, the other way now, but I generalise a lot and try very hard to not use anyones names.
ReplyDeleteI started my blog to mostly be about my art, and I crept into sharing more about my life over time. Mainly b/c I thought people would be bored with my life. Very little that I post has to do with my work, and I feel pretty protected by the concept of academic freedom around what I do post (I'm a professor). Interesting thoughts from you, though.
ReplyDeleteRinda
A really thought provoking post, Jo. I'm so sorry to hear that this is an issue you have had to get involved in and that it has been having an impact on your own compelling story. I'm another one who hopes that you continue to blog even if it's with a slightly different mindset.
ReplyDeleteHi Jo, I would love to know more about what your place of work has said about this as my PCT (as far as I know) has not issued any guidance or statements over socail networks/blogging. I obviously can understand it totally but really hope it doesn't have too much of an adverse afect on you and your fab blog as I have always admired your honesty xxx
ReplyDeleteLove your post Jo. We have recently had a situation concerning a colleague who was telling our boss one thing and then saying something completely different on Facebook. The powers that be then were monitoring what was being said on that site - and on it went.
ReplyDeleteA thoughtful post, Jo. I'm glad to see you back to blogging hun, I've missed you. I'm sure you'll find the right balance and regain your enthusiasm xx
ReplyDeleteI'm still catching up! It is a very thought-provoking topic :)
ReplyDelete