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?

It does make me think of the very sad case a couple of years ago where a GP blogged about her own mental health, was suspended by her clinic after some patients "raised concerns" and sadly died of suicide.

Using a pseudoname is probably wise if you're going to blog about anything very personal.

I’m professional - and I blog. We’re encouraged to at work, and to use social media etc. But asked not to do anything to bring the company into ‘disrepute’ ! So far no-one has had any cone back from it and most people blog etc about personal hobbies but some is work related. Global company 7k + employees...

I see no reason why you could not blog providing it was not about your working life.

I'd depends on the blog. Sonbeyjng personal or political is not great but if it is about gardening or impressionist paintings then go for it.

I blog and am open about it: but I'm also open in my professional life about my values, lifestyle and sociopolitical leanings, which is essentially what I blog about. I agree it might be different if I didn't have a workplace where I felt able to be transparent, which must prevent a lot of people feeling able to share their views.

That said - what do you want to blog about and would it really come as any surprise to those who know you at work?

I work in the public sector and a rather large proportion of my colleagues blog - both about topics that are personal and some that are related to their jobs and the work they're doing for the public sector. In fact, a lot of them produce 'week notes' that run through activities that they've taken part in each day of the week. This includes one of our 'heads of'.

I work in one sector but follow others through twitter that are all across government so it's not just my own sector that it's prevalent in.

We aren't in fairly prominent roles. So yes it would need to be completely anonymous. But if it got back to us, I think it would be problematic, if it was anything at all personal.

We aren't allowed personal twitter accounts - only relating to our job roles.

*are

I don't blog but am reasonably active on Facebook and Instagram. On neither do I state where I work even though my friends know that I work in the public sector. Facebook is locked down to my friends only. I use a pseudonym on Instagram and it is all about my animals, animal rescue, crafts and my home anyway. I never indicate whereabouts I live other than the country, though some photos may have given away the county.

The only thing my work asks is that I personally keep out of elected politics though there are no restrictions on my opinions even if I'm professional enough to keep them out of my work life (though most are likely to share my low opinions of Trump and May et al).