The boundaries between work life and home life are dissolving, just as the difference between public and private communication is becoming fuzzier than ever. This new reality poses a quandary for employers: On the one hand, free speech is free speech, and the ability to speak in the online medium is a right that few employees want to see circumscribed. On the other hand, employees act as de facto ambassadors for their company in cyberspace, whether they mean to or not.

The fact that every employee can create online content, whether using his own identity or using pseudonyms, expands the security, privacy and reputation risk exposure and impact to the business.

While it is fairly easy to spot online commentaries that give away confidential information such as notes about the company’s future plans, product and services, or violate client confidentiality, matters get fuzzier where it comes to the grey areas of interpersonal relationships and personal sentiments.