I found quite a few workplace blogs and articles about workplace blogs. The one I chose to read (because it sounded like it would be interesting) was titled "No Miracles Here: Tales of a Social Worker." The purpose of the blog was not stated anywhere, but from what I read it was mainly just for venting about her day. Here is the URL if anyone wants to take a look--http://nomiraclessw.blogspot.com/
The format and content of the blog was really casual. It was similar to a post on Facebook, but much longer. She used sarcasm often and a lot of jargon. Yes, Im sure the blog is mostly intended for other social workers, but it is available for anyone to read and most people don't understand the abbreviations. I also noticed a few misused words and inconsistent pronoun usage.
As for the type of audience of this blog, I only saw two comments, and both from other social workers. But that doesn't necessarily mean that this blog doesn't have other followers; it just means that those were the only two (recent) to leave comments.
In response to the "No Miracles Here" blog, I have to say I feel that it is very unprofessional. It seems to border the legallity line. A social worker bloging publically about how she feels about certain cases and bosses or co-workers, even though specifics were not given, seems like it is almost a violation of confidentiality. She even went as far to say that after discussing her "work and struggles with a friend over dinner and happy hour," that her friend asked how she dealt with certain knowledge of her cases and replyed that she "hoped the perpetrator of her client's sexual trauma would be shanked in jail." She claims that she said this jokingly, but then at the closing of the entry said she realized that that is what she really wished for. I'm pretty sure that a social worker talking about her cases in even the slightest detail is a violation of confidentiality, let alone unethical. And that statement about the perpetrator being shanked; suppose something of that nature did happen to that guy in jail or on the street, and someone linked to the case in some way, read that. Then it COULD be used in attempt to link her to the murder. I feel that her blog discredits her integrity, and her objectivity (which in that line of work is hard to control, I'm sure).
I also read a USATODAY.COM article about how blogging about work can get you fired. I don't think that anyone should blog any specifics about their careers. It is different if that blog is about tips on surviving or handling certain situations at work, or advice on handling difficult co-workers, or there are even plenty of leadership blogs. It is fine to say you had a horrible day at work, or a co-worker really irritated you, something kind of generic. I also think that if people you work with read your blog it may cause some tention and un-needed conflict in the work area, or be viewed as a form of bullying.
Some ideas I have for my blog are just to keep it generic and simple. I will never blog again after this class, at least not by choice. I would never blog about my career as an accountant for fear of breaching confidentiality laws or god forbid the client I "vent" about reads it. Also, because accounting is usually a very boring subject. If I need to vent about anything I have a husband, who has no real understanding of accounting, or I could keep a journal if I really just need to let it out.
I wish you would have posted the hyperlink to this blog. I would think that posting/talking about your cases as a social worker is illegal unless the client gives permission or signs a waiver that allows the social worker to talk/post about the cases (which the social worker you mentioned probably did neither if she is misusing pronouns and using much sarcasm in her posts). I don't know the finer details of social workers, but I know if someone was posting about me (or someone close to me) on the internet I would like to know about it and make sure that my side of the story is involved (if they wish for it to be) in the post and reviewed by me or someone qualified. I understand that it is a blog on the internet, but if it could be found by a college student searching the web, other people can also find this blog.
ReplyDeleteAs to the USATODAY.com article, I know that my boss cannot discuss how much he is paid because it was a contract drawn between the franchise owner and my boss. I am sure that there is other aspects of the job that he is not able to talk about outside of work, but I don't think it is going to be too much (I work at Little Caesar's).
As to the last paragraph in your entry, I do have other blogs, so probability is that I will continue blogging (probably not on this blog though). And I would imagine that it would be nice to have someone at home to vent to. I usually vent in a journal of some sort that i kept hidden away. And lastly, I am currently in an accounting class, so I can vouch that it can be a very boring subject at times (I hope this doesn't offend you in any way).
Thank you for the comment Cody, and no, it was not offensive in anyway.
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with you on this post that someone blogging about work is completely unprofessional. My wife went to school for human services and I remember her telling me about the privacy acts involved in a job such as social work. I have to imagine that writing a blog more than violates these acts. In fact, her just speaking with her friend to "vent" about work is a violation of HIPPA policies.
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