Do I delete everything I've said about work and never mention it again, and pretend that everything's fine? What are the implications? Good friends are pointing out that in a sacking situation, people with loud mouths are likely to go first.
Ah, Ewarwoowar, the idealism of youth! What you should be able to do, and what it would be politically expedient to do (as is often the case) differs wildly. Sorry to say it but I think your good friends make a very valid point. It is one thing to be openly and consistantly heavily critical of management on an anonymised blog, but to do so on a blog where the vast majority of people know exactly who you are (your blog address is on your email signature for pete's sake)is unquestionably erring on suicidal. Having said that this is simply my opinion,(albeit based on substantial experience of being branded a 'troublemaker' at work, putting my foot in it when trying to do the right thing, and learning the hard way) all said and done it is up to you and your conscience where you go from here. As I see it you have two workable options. If I were you I'd either: not delete comments already made, but certainly avoid making such comments in the future or at least make attempts to tone them down, OR start another anonymised blog - I also think it would be wise to make comments about 'a university' rather than letting everyone in the world know exactly which university is so awful, and in great detail. Although it isn't your concern, it isn't exactly great for their PR. Personally, on the strength of your blog, I wouldn't touch your institution with a bargepole, how many prospective students or employees have googled it, found your blog and felt the same? Probably none, but this is precisely the type of argument a disciplinary panel may well make, forewarned is forearmed and all that. Oh, and biting your tongue far from equates to pretending everything is 'just peachy', there is some middle ground here, you can still carry on with your union activities for example, which is perhaps a more legitimate avenue for airing your grievances when it comes to defending your actions in front of management. Of course, given the context of your situation, none of this is remotely fair, but then you didn't expect it to be, or did you?
I agree that Vole's mistake was dropping the anonymous nature of his blog, and perhaps referencing the place of education itself.
But if things suck, and everyone knows that they suck, why cant he say that they suck? I believe he did ask the V-C to her face to resign, so it's not as if everything is hunky-dory, everyone else is content and Vole just has an agenda.
I dunno. It's upto Vole at the end of the day. But I enjoy his posts - it's interesting to know what goes on behind the scenes.
However, ever one to err on the side of shallow and flippant, here's a link to someone who lost their job because of their blog and has made a fine living on the back of it:
http://www.dooce.com/about
If you look through her archives (fnar fnar) you can read about the days that it happened and the legal processes her employers used to shaft her.
You don't need money. Come and live with us in the chigloo.
This is a difficult one. How much do you need/ like/ want this job – and what lengths would you be prepared to go to to keep it? How would you feel if you kept quiet, said nothing and let things be done that you don’t agree with i.e. what cost would this cause you in emotional terms on a daily basis? Do you think it is right that people working in institutions have to pretend that all is wonderful when clearly a lot of things are going on that are upsetting you? Do a lot of people agree with you but are unwilling for various reasons like mortgages to pay/ children to feed and cloth etc to stick their heads above the parapet? Only you know how this is making you feel, and can only to be true to yourself and your beliefs.
Personally I would never, ever, mention my work, workplace, employer, or co-workers on my blog.
Having said that, that is an easy decision for me because my work is nothing to do with my life. You are very passionate about your occupation and as such it becomes a major part of who you are.
I agree with everything that Kate says except her conclusion. You have to do what you believe is right, not what protects your salary.
If you stand up tall you are easier to knock down but that doesn't mean cowering is the right thing to do.
If Rosa Parks had put an easy life before her principles what then?
If your anger stems from the fact that management have caused a situation where education is being eroded you have to fight don't you? If the student union will not publish who will?
A lot of 'ifs' there. Mainly I think because only you can make this decision.
Errrr, I want Voley to do what is right for him too ('it is up to you and your conscience'), I'm not urging him to take actions to protect his salary, I'm sorry if it came across that way! I'm far from an expert on many things, but for once I feel like I have a wealth of experience to draw on. I've been in a similar work situation to the one he finds himself in now (local government; lots of politics with big and little 'p's), minus the blog conundrum, and my only way to find sanity was to leave the organisation (well, the whole career path actually), oh, and to expose their shambolic management practices as part of my PhD (huh hmmmm, no names mentioned of course! ;-)). So Voley, all I can say is if you think you're suffering from extreme work rage, at least you didn't have to write a whole PhD about your work angst as therapy! But on a serious note, you have to seriously consider whether all your twopenneth and union actions are actually going to get you anywhere (i.e. management are going to listen to you and change their ways) or whether you are just wasting your breath and getting majorly stressed out over something that ultimately is not going to change. And while you are doing that, you could be working on getting those publication numbers up.....
10 comments:
I think it should stay - surely you are free to air your opinions?
Ah, Ewarwoowar, the idealism of youth! What you should be able to do, and what it would be politically expedient to do (as is often the case) differs wildly. Sorry to say it but I think your good friends make a very valid point. It is one thing to be openly and consistantly heavily critical of management on an anonymised blog, but to do so on a blog where the vast majority of people know exactly who you are (your blog address is on your email signature for pete's sake)is unquestionably erring on suicidal. Having said that this is simply my opinion,(albeit based on substantial experience of being branded a 'troublemaker' at work, putting my foot in it when trying to do the right thing, and learning the hard way) all said and done it is up to you and your conscience where you go from here. As I see it you have two workable options. If I were you I'd either: not delete comments already made, but certainly avoid making such comments in the future or at least make attempts to tone them down, OR start another anonymised blog - I also think it would be wise to make comments about 'a university' rather than letting everyone in the world know exactly which university is so awful, and in great detail. Although it isn't your concern, it isn't exactly great for their PR. Personally, on the strength of your blog, I wouldn't touch your institution with a bargepole, how many prospective students or employees have googled it, found your blog and felt the same? Probably none, but this is precisely the type of argument a disciplinary panel may well make, forewarned is forearmed and all that. Oh, and biting your tongue far from equates to pretending everything is 'just peachy', there is some middle ground here, you can still carry on with your union activities for example, which is perhaps a more legitimate avenue for airing your grievances when it comes to defending your actions in front of management. Of course, given the context of your situation, none of this is remotely fair, but then you didn't expect it to be, or did you?
Kate
Whoever you are, you are very wise.
I agree that Vole's mistake was dropping the anonymous nature of his blog, and perhaps referencing the place of education itself.
But if things suck, and everyone knows that they suck, why cant he say that they suck? I believe he did ask the V-C to her face to resign, so it's not as if everything is hunky-dory, everyone else is content and Vole just has an agenda.
I dunno. It's upto Vole at the end of the day. But I enjoy his posts - it's interesting to know what goes on behind the scenes.
Just to add to what Kate has already said: Leaving out references to this particular university would give your entries more weight.
Kate is indeed very wise.
However, ever one to err on the side of shallow and flippant, here's a link to someone who lost their job because of their blog and has made a fine living on the back of it:
http://www.dooce.com/about
If you look through her archives (fnar fnar) you can read about the days that it happened and the legal processes her employers used to shaft her.
You don't need money. Come and live with us in the chigloo.
This is a difficult one.
How much do you need/ like/ want this job – and what lengths would you be prepared to go to to keep it?
How would you feel if you kept quiet, said nothing and let things be done that you don’t agree with i.e. what cost would this cause you in emotional terms on a daily basis?
Do you think it is right that people working in institutions have to pretend that all is wonderful when clearly a lot of things are going on that are upsetting you?
Do a lot of people agree with you but are unwilling for various reasons like mortgages to pay/ children to feed and cloth etc to stick their heads above the parapet?
Only you know how this is making you feel, and can only to be true to yourself and your beliefs.
Good luck.
Personally I would never, ever, mention my work, workplace, employer, or co-workers on my blog.
Having said that, that is an easy decision for me because my work is nothing to do with my life. You are very passionate about your occupation and as such it becomes a major part of who you are.
I agree with everything that Kate says except her conclusion. You have to do what you believe is right, not what protects your salary.
If you stand up tall you are easier to knock down but that doesn't mean cowering is the right thing to do.
If Rosa Parks had put an easy life before her principles what then?
If your anger stems from the fact that management have caused a situation where education is being eroded you have to fight don't you? If the student union will not publish who will?
A lot of 'ifs' there. Mainly I think because only you can make this decision.
ps - if you lose your job we have a spare room.
Errrr, I want Voley to do what is right for him too ('it is up to you and your conscience'), I'm not urging him to take actions to protect his salary, I'm sorry if it came across that way! I'm far from an expert on many things, but for once I feel like I have a wealth of experience to draw on. I've been in a similar work situation to the one he finds himself in now (local government; lots of politics with big and little 'p's), minus the blog conundrum, and my only way to find sanity was to leave the organisation (well, the whole career path actually), oh, and to expose their shambolic management practices as part of my PhD (huh hmmmm, no names mentioned of course! ;-)). So Voley, all I can say is if you think you're suffering from extreme work rage, at least you didn't have to write a whole PhD about your work angst as therapy! But on a serious note, you have to seriously consider whether all your twopenneth and union actions are actually going to get you anywhere (i.e. management are going to listen to you and change their ways) or whether you are just wasting your breath and getting majorly stressed out over something that ultimately is not going to change. And while you are doing that, you could be working on getting those publication numbers up.....
Or watching Stoke lose to Hull.
Boom! Boom!
Sorry.
I think Kate has hit the nail on the head there McVole.
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