To think you can't blog if you have a professional job?

[brownmouse]

Was discussing at work (public sector) today. All agreed that you can't hold a professional position and write a blog - unless it's about work.

It's such a shame but I think it's true. I stopped blogging when I started working again and unfortunately I don't see how I can start again - not with anything authentic.

AIBU to think blogging is incompatible with most professional jobs?

I blog about something completely unrelated to my professional life, and it's fine. Totally depends on the nature of what you're writing.

Just use a pseudonym.

I think a blog where you don’t mention your personal life should be okay. Or maybe, if bloggers did discuss their personal lives, they could perhaps blog anonymously? I agree this is a tricky subject!

Not sure, do you mean because of sheer lack of time to blog or because you would inevitably end up in trouble professionally? Could you not to do it anonymously?

I think it would very much depend on the content of the blog. If you wrote a food blog for instance I very much doubt an employer would have an issue with it.

Largely because you would end up in trouble (public sector especially, you are really allowed no opinions...!!).

I work for a huge organisation but don't know anyone with a blog. It's a real shame actually - a lot of voices that is love to hear.

There are paramedics, barristers, doctors, ambulance men etc who do it anonymously and their blogs (and often spin off books) are fascinating.

Blog anonymously.

Look up lagliv, federal government lawyer in the US and prolific, heartwarming blogger.

And to add, she doesn’t blog anonymously.

Of course you can blog, if you really want to. Use a pseudonym and don't mention anything that would link you to your workplace.

I work in the Funeral Industry and there are a few successful bloggers who blog about industry related topics, mainly those who are overseas and work for independent companies.

I know of one lady who was dismissed for sharing a picture of her uniform, prior to starting work, at a UK funeral firm, on social media. Her intention was to blog her journey in the industry.

Maybe employ a pseudonym if you want to resume blogging.
Belle du Jour managed it? I would love to resume blogging, but always doubt there would be interest in ‘A girl’s guide to (funeral) homemaking’ 😀

I know a fairly successful American blogger and Youtuber who is a doctor, she is fairly open about it.

I used to blog anonymously (about gaming) and never mentioned my profession.

I blog anonymously and defy anyone I know to find out who I am online! Just choose a different name. Just been mentioning this on another thread, I name change on here all the time, it’s a habit because of my job.

Did you want to blog about work IP? That could be more outing. I blog about juice lol!

Of course we can. Just don't be silly about it. Don't use your own name and don't bring your profession into disrepute. You know, like stupid people that tweet and lose their jobs unlike Trump et al, sadly

Surely it depends what you blog about? No one would be offended by a train spotting blog or one about cakes. If you want to blog about controversial opinions then do it anonymously.

That too nerner.
My bold part of my last post was supposed to be stike out. My phone is on it's last legs, or maybe it's just me

Totally depends, why couldn’t I blog about food and cooking if I also worked for the DVLA?? Why couldn’t I blog about devolution if I was also a nurse?

Mother of Daughters is a working midwife and she does it.

I worked in a public service role and I blogged about my family and knitting and sewing. I have no clue what on Earth you are on about!!

If you blog is about some extreme political views or you're a conspiracy theorist who flouts the law in the name of unmasking people you think are involved then yes I can see why employers wouldn't want your real name associated with the blog, and their company.

But if you're a doctor, accountant or senior manager who's blogging about recipes or the best places to go for country walks with the kids then where's the problem?

You would need to ask permission if you wanted to blog about party political issues under your own name, and it would probably only be allowed if you relatively junior. But no reason at all why you can’t blog about anything else.

You and your colleagues seem a bit dense as it surely depends wholly on the subject of the blog? There isn’t a blanket ban on blogging.

A significant amount of the population with professional careers have instagram/Twitter/etc social media accounts, which are similar to having a personal lifestyle blog; and they manage to maintain their careers - you just have to be careful what you put out in the world. In regards to racism, discrimination, politics etc - the sort of content that would bring your company into disrepute. Obviously don’t leak confidential company information either.

If your blog is about food, fashion, travelling, books etc it would be fairly harmless to your employer.

Politics, social justice, and crime would be the sort of content to stay away from.

If you do want to blog about that sort of thing, do it anonymously. Don’t mention your employer at all.

Problems typically arise when people plaster their employer all over their profiles then launch into a nasty or controversial tirade.

@NameChangeUni I SO wish MN had a like button function because I like the heck out of your opening comment.

I write some blog posts.

In some professions blogging is not merely allowed, it is positively encouraged. See the Rudai 23 things course for information and library professionals, for example.