SmallBizResource Blog -- Internet

Dear Diary: Today I Got Fired

Posted by Gayle Kesten Wednesday, Feb 20, 2008, 07:07 PM ET

Be careful what you blog. It could cost you your job.

That's what happened to Chez Pazienza, now former producer of CNN's "American Morning" show, which airs around the time roosters crow. While recovering from some pretty serious surgery, Pazienza turned to blogging as a way to unload his self-proclaimed "nascent iconoclastic tendencies." As you can well imagine, he's full of opinion on the touchiest of subjects, and, with a generous helping of f-bombs, he's more than happy to share.

The problem? Pazienza didn't double check CNN's handbook. Had he done so, he would have known to first run his plans by his bosses. So last week they fired him. (No tears from Oprah, you can be sure.)

As far as Pazienza is concerned, CNN was more worried about what he was writing than the fact he was writing at all. That's the short version, anyway.

The point for you, my SOHO reader, is multifold: If you work for someone else, learn from Pazienza and make sure you understand company policy. In his blog, Pazienza never said he worked for CNN; he didn't even use his last name. Still, he broke the rule.

You say your company is so small there is no handbook? Then err on the side of caution and ask.

Conversely, if you're the employer you need to CYA, too. Done the right way, blogging can be a great way to raise awareness about your business. But the last thing you need is to take the heat for something an employee has to say.

For CNN, this amounts to nothing more than a blip on its radar screen. Your small business should only be so lucky.

Thoughts?

Internet