I have a personal blog [web log] where I've been ranting about my employer and co-workers (and men, and dogs, and drugs, and shots, and...). I didn't identify the company or people by name, but if you know who's who you know who the moron is, who the f-ing a-hole is, etc. Some anonymous pussy sent an email to every vice president at the company alerting them to my blog and I was fired. What are my rights?

Rita Risser replies:

In most states, generally it is illegal for an employer to use your private life against you in your job. That's a violation of your right to privacy. However, if you bring the company into disrepute with your postings, then you have crossed the line and your behavior is not protected. If you were the CEO or other high-ranking person, then even though you didn't name the company everyone would know what you were talking about. But if you are a lowly employee, presumably you did not harm the company's reputation because few people know what company you work for.

As a practical matter, it may be difficult to get a lawyer, a judge or a jury to have much sympathy for you getting fired - after all, apparently you didn't like your job! On the other hand, freedom of speech is an essential right. If you want to pursue it, you should contact a local attorney.