Dana

I’m sticking with my original comment …

In a nutshell, I think an employer has no “formal” place to say what you do, how you act, who you see, and your life outside of the work environment, but I believe that, as an employee, you better be willing to accept that what you do, how you act, who you see, and your life outside of work might impact your desirability as an employee.

For me, the motivation behind it really doesn’t make a difference.

  Vic

While I think its none of an employers business what you do outside of work, sadly it can still be held against you. Its interesting that depending on which industry you’re in, and whether you’re male or female, it also plays a part. I’m not sure what the person in your example should do, but I can assure you I’d avoid being friends with my bosses wife if possible. That goes back to that old saying about not “dipping in the company ink.” Its just never a good idea to mix business and pleasure in my mind.

  Chef Troll

Heck yes, that tid-bit you left out changes things. My 8 HR best practices answer still applies though.

New Troll Poll Up!

  Professor Fate

I believe a few things:
1) A company should be able to hire and fire employees at will.
2) Employees should be able to leave a job anytime they like.
3) It is bad business to try and regulate employees private behavior. If they are doing their job, great! If they aren’t, get rid of them. Being a swinger, being into S&M, being a philanderer, being attracted to same sex partners, being a party girl (or boy) rarely impacts on the job performance.
4) If your behavior is outside of the traditional social norms, don’t tell people who aren’t close to you unless you are looking for a reaction. The don’t be surprised when you get a reaction.

That said, Big Brother is the government watching you not a private employer. Censorship is the government making TV choices for you not the business of a network what to put on their shows. My rights end where another’s begin.

To answer the question(s): With a very few exceptions an employer has no say in your private life. When your private life becomes public, an arrest for example, then the employer may have a little (very little) more room to act.

Anonymous blogging, even thinly veiled (as long as it is not about the company), should NEVER be used against the employee. If the employee gives up their anonymity to a few friends that might be used against them but I don’t think it should. If the employee gives up their anonymity on the blog, they have become a public person. If the employee gives up their anonymity to their employer, they are too stupid to do whatever job they were hired to do.

  Nolens Volens

I know the boss is overstepping his own authority about his own wife not being invited. Reduce all interaction time with anyone who brown-noses the boss and/or his wife. Don’t let him win with his bullying tactics.

  autumn

it sounds to me as if the boss is asking this woman to monitor herself based more on personal information from his wife, than anything having to do with work. i don’t think he has any right to do that.

i didn’t even realize you were a SAHM…good for you! i sure wish i could do that again–time you never get back right there.

  Vixen

Vic- thanks for your input and I think I agree with you in your last statement. :)

  Vixen

Prof Fate- I liked your last paragraph. But I have actually heard of several bloggers who have had issues regarding this.

  Professor Fate

If they are valuable employees it is in the company’s best interest to ignore the blogs. It is in the company’s best interest not to make a “moral” judgment about employees behavior.