A friend of mine who is an employment barrister has advised me not to blog about work. I feel that this is good advice but here I am ignoring it. I suppose that this is what good advice is for.
But surely, it’s alright, if I want to say good things? On Sunday, Mr. Waffle said to me “hang in there we go back to work on Tuesday” and I smiled feebly.
The other day I got a call from a friend and former colleague.
Him: You’re back at work then.
Me: Yup.
Him: How are you finding it?
Me: It’s great actually.
Him: It’s grim here.
Me: My boss is fantastic.
Him: I’m up to my tonsils.
Me: And my staff are bright, hardworking, pleasant and (very important this) obliging.
Him (suggestion of gritted teeth): Good for you.
Me (sunnily): And I have just the right amount of work, not so much that I am stressed, not so little that I am bored.
Him (definite gritted teeth): Marvellous.
Me: And I got a call from one of the boss of bosses today and she said that a) she was delighted I was pleased with the flowers she sent to me on the birth of the boys and b) she had the picture of them that I sent with my thank you card on her desk and c) she is in Brussels in a couple of weeks with the top boss and perhaps we could all go for a nice lunch.
Him: Lovely for you. (Reflective pause) You know, it should always be like that.
Me: But it isn’t, I feel as though the gods have conspired to make everything in my working life perfect.
Him (maliciously): You working mothers hate your children, don’t you?
I can see why you shouldn’t blog AT work, but ABOUT work seems a little over-cautious.
the whole blogging about work thing can be very tricky – I suppose it’s all about how identifiable people and places are.
Your colleague disturbs me.
I blog about work. Do you think my charges will sue when they’re old enough to read?
Still chuckling.
These employment law people are very cautious CAD. And remember, Dooce got fired.
Heather, I guess, but it is still risky. Don’t think badly of my colleague, I don’t think he meant it like it might sound. At least, I hope not.
Minks, very likely, they’re such ingrates children.
Jordana, thanks.
I’m (yet) another employment barrister. As any lawyer would tell you … it depends. If you spend your evenings blogging about how much you love your job that will probably get you a raise. On the other hand if you point out that your boss is an evil scrote with wandering hands things could get “interesting”.