Peter Whitney griped about a birthday card for a manager at work. He was asked to contribute money, despite not considering her a friend. Such an after-work complaint isn't unusual, especially, when sitting in a bar with some co-workers or discussing the day's events with family. However, Whitney voiced his opinions on-line and took a few jabs at other people at work. Some of his audience didn't like what he wrote. They were his bosses. He was fired.

Blogs, or web logs, are websites that provide current and frequent commentary or news on a variety of subjects. The most popular blogs report the latest technology in electronics or the top political stories and opinions of the hour. Some, like Gawker Media founder Nick Denton, have made careers out of blogs. However, the majority of them are personal on-line journal entries that are open to the general public to view and respond.

And employers do respond.

Ellen Simonetti was fired from Delta Air Lines after she posted photos of herself in uniform on an airplane. She started her blog, ?Queen of Sky: Diary of a Dysfunctional Flight Attendant,? as a form of therapy after losing her mother to cancer, documenting the flight attendant's life and work experience. She never mentioned the airline by name; however, Delta deemed her content inappropriate and dismissed her. While cases like Whitney's and Simonetti's might seem rare, more stories about employees who are fired over posting work-related comments in their blogs are becoming more common

Considering there are nearly 100 million personal blogs posted worldwide, there is a growing concern about releasing confidential company information, defamation, and even exposing too much of the author's private life, such as an extracurricular hobby better left unmentioned. Bloggers (people who blog) step into gray territory with each published commentary that reveals too much.

However, that hasn't stopped millions from blogging. Blogs have made a significant social impact. Bloggers share their personal experiences with a wide audience, find comfort in strangers, and become part of a larger community outside of their home and workplace. Blogging is one-part therapeutic, one-part philosophic, and two-parts discovery. The freedom to express and be heard behind a personal voice has made blogs intimate and successful, building new connections and sharing a torrent of new information.

That trust and level of intimacy has led to many businesses releasing corporate blogs. Even CEOs are now blogging, because it puts a face behind the PR statements. But if a person isn't a CEO or a sponsored-public relations blogger, it's highly recommended to take several precautions. There will always be potential readers including current or future employers, co-workers, neighbors, or just about anyone who would search your name and other identifying characteristics on Google or Yahoo. Many write thinking they won't be found, but, like Whitney and Simonetti will tell you, you can always be found. So, it's best not to post pictures the time someone had a little too much to drink at the Christmas party.

If you plan to start a blog, these three suggestions might help you avoid the pink slip: Always blog anonymously. Use a pseudonym and never give away identifying details. Limit your audience. If your personal blog is for your family and friends, find a blogging service that requires a password or has a feature that allows you to choose your readers. Most importantly, write responsibly. Blog contents are like gossip formed into a boomerang. It'll come back. Just remember when to duck

By: Jimmy N. Nguyen

Edited By: Bruce A. Tucker