I have a little bit different take on this issue than most people do. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, just move along. I don’t want to call out any names here.
Tor issued a statement after an employee made some remarks about two groups of people who are commonly known as the Sad Puppies and the Rabid Puppies. The statements were on a personal Facebook page, and were certainly exaggerated and arguably, at least in part, untrue.
Now, I will be the first to stand in defense of somebody saying what they want to say on their own Facebook page. First amendment and all that, however, the right to say something does not insulate you from the ramifications of exercising free speech, and personal page or not, your comments reflect upon those you represent.
The publishing industry has been sort of an isolated entity in the business world in many ways. While I was in the semiconductor industry, I would never, ever discuss business on any of my personal accounts, and for a number of reasons. Ever. First, I had confidentiality clauses to contend with, but even with that aside, there are ethical and professional standards I was expected to meet. I represented my company at all times. A disavowal would not be good enough. Any industry outside of publishing would frown terribly upon such a comment about fellow industry people. Certainly, I’d have been dragged by the collar into the vice president’s office and been given a serious dressing down. Some companies might fire me on the spot for such remarks about industry people.
A Facebook private account isn’t private. Don’t fall for that illusion. How many times have you heard recruiters or news anchors urge college kids to take down all the partying photos from Facebook? Better yet, don’t put them there in the first place? Why do human resources and hiring managers Google search candidates before hiring them? It’s because unless you are a complete Luddite, you leave a trail. What you do and what you say tells the business about you. What you say reflects upon the business hiring you. The assumption has to be that if you are a loose cannon before being hired, that activity will continue.
This is not about Tor throwing somebody under the bus, it’s about taking responsibility for what you say, what you write, and what you post. It’s because we’re talking about the publishing industry that this is even an issue. This industry has, at times, functioned in ways incomprehensible to the rest of commerce. Tor is a business, and as a business it has the primary obligation to protect its own interests before the interests of any employee. You don’t have to like it; that’s just the way it is. (Yes, I know about other incidents that occurred without ramification. That is another discussion.)
All comments online must be treated as if not only the boss is looking over your shoulder, but as if the entire world is looking over your shoulder. In many cases, they are. Say something the company thinks is out of line, be prepared for consequences.