Be a Blogger, Go to Jail

Bloggers have freedom of speech. But they do not have the right to violate other laws, or interfere with the rights of others. And the penalties for violations can be huge. Fair Measures, Inc. has developed a Blogger’s Legal Toolkit to provide guidance on this cutting edge topic and to help employee bloggers avoid getting sued, arrested or fired from their jobs. Please contact Jonathan Levy of Fair Measures, Inc. at 831-458-0500.

(PRWEB) November 11, 2005 -- Fair Measures Creates Blogging Toolkit (http://www.fairmeasures.com/products/checklists/ebp.asp) to Keep Employees From Getting Dooced From their Jobs

That’s right. “Dooce” is not a typo, but a new word. According to the urban dictionary website “dooced” means “to lose one’s job because of one’s website." Apparently, the term was created by Heather Armstrong who was fired for work-related comments on her blog “dooce.com” And Heather is not alone. Increasingly employers are striking back against employees for postings on their blogs. Employees are being terminated for blog content ranging from risqué pictures to sharing of confidential and proprietary information. Some employers are even searching the web as part of the hiring and recruitment process.

Many employees are crying “foul”, but when blogs turn to discussions about work, there is huge potential legal risk. Comments in blogs about your employer, your co-workers or your job could get you fired, or even worse. Even comments not about work can get you in serious trouble, including claims of defamation, hate crimes, or invasion of privacy.

Fair Measures, Inc. has developed a Blogger’s Legal Toolkit (http://www.fairmeasures.com/products/checklists/ebp.asp) to provide guidance on this cutting edge topic and to help employee bloggers avoid getting sued, arrested or fired from their jobs. The toolkit includes: a description of each law and how it applies to typical blog postings; a step-by-step Checklist to apply to any questionable statement; guidance on what to do if a statement could violate the law; and links to other legal resources for bloggers. Although the product focuses on work-related postings, the same information will help all bloggers avoid or reduce the legal risks associated with blogging. After all, blogging is fun, but you don’t want to get dooced, sued, or go to jail!

To download the Blogger’s Legal Toolkit go to http://www.fairmeasures.com/products/checklists/ebp.asp.

Fair Measures, Inc.

Based in Santa Cruz, Cal., Fair Measures, Inc. is a leading provider of legal management training for managers and employees. For more information call 831-458-0500 or www.FairMeasures.com (http://www.fairmeasures.com).

This press release was distributed through eMediawire by Human Resources Marketer (HR Marketer: www.HRmarketer.com) on behalf of the company listed above.

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