Michael Peterson, a vice president at the HR Policy Association, a trade group for human-resources executives, argues that employees' negative online postings could damage a company's reputation and that the agency needs to offer clearer guidance.

WSJ: When a Facebook Rant Gets You Fired

Thirteen percent of companies cut pay between late 2008 and October 2009, and 29% of those planned to rescind the cuts in the following 12 months, according to an October survey of 875 human-resources employees by the HR association WorldatWork.

WSJ: Firms Move Gingerly to Rescind Salary Cuts