Blogger Fired For Comments In Blog

Edinburgh Man Fired For Blog Comments

"Shortly before Christmas, in the spirit of that season, my manager at Waterstone’s asked me to come into the office. Within a few, short moments I was told that for comments I had posted on this web site I was now subject to an enquiry to determine if I should face a disciplinary hearing for ‘gross misconduct’ because I had ‘brought the company into disrepute’. I was informed (more than once) that this could cause my dismissal. I was suspended on pay and escorted from the premises of the bookstore I had worked in for eleven years."

What a FABULOUS way for the company to get free publicity!

I really should have some sympathy but to be honest, I don't. Not a bit. When you are an employee of a national chain of bookstores; in this case, "Waterstone's", and you whinge about your work online in a blog read by ... wait for it ... work colleagues and probably your boss, one thing you don't do is comment on your workplace by calling it "Bastardstone's", and expect to get away with it. It has taken them years and years and probably millions of ££'s to build their brand.

Smart move on the part of the management, I say. Fire the twerp-employee and wait for the story to get taken up by the media. Oodles and oodles of free publicity and the unspoken message that brand will be defended. Overall Brand-Reputation up and more customers.

Or maybe they didn't think quite like that were just pissed. Either way -- his loss, their gain.