One of the most worrying things about writing for this global public platform is the issue of client confidentiality.
Whenever I get an idea for a post, one of my first tasks is to apply my commonsense confidentiality filter to ensure I’m not about to offend any past, present, or future clients.
If my alarm bells ring, no matter how faintly, I won’t write it. Here’s why:
It’s disrespectful
I cringe when I come across blogs and Twitter feeds that openly gossip about private matters in the workplace. Letting your mouth (or your fingers) run wild isn’t just burning bridges, it’s setting fire to them while you’re on them!
Writing about things you hear at work without permission is disrespectful. It shows disrespect for your employer/client, and disrespect for your colleagues. It might seem fun at the time, it might seem like sweet revenge, but there’s no getting away from the fact you could be betraying someone’s trust.
The potential for damage
How many times do we have to hear about people getting fired for bad-mouthing their boss on Twitter or Facebook before it sinks in?
Companies take unauthorised gossipping like this very seriously. They’re right to – most businesses spend years building up a reputation for their brands, and are aware how quickly things can unravel after just a few careless remarks in the wrong place. The potential for embarrasment and subsequent damage is huge.
It’s career suicide
Recruiters use Google to research potential candidates when they’re looking to hire. If the first thing that comes up is your blog where you’re talking about Joe the developer having an affair with Daphne from accounts, or how you ripped off an ex-client by charging them for days you never worked, that’s going to look pretty bad with regard to your suitability for future work.
So, I’m afraid if you’re looking for gossip about the places I’ve worked, or the client projects I’ve been involved in, you’ve come to the wrong place. The only time I will ever write about a client is in a case study that has been agreed with them in advance.
Sorry to disappoint.
