Wednesday, April 9, 2008

*Sigh*

Today I received a copy of XYZCo's IT Usage Policy and while they continue to say they want to be free and open regarding personal use of company systems the specifically address every possible use of company IT networks and systems. Here is section 4.4

4.4 Blogging
  1. Blogging by employees, whether using XYZ Company's property and systems or personal computer systems, is also subject to terms and restrictions set forth in this policy. Limited and occasional use of XYZ Company's systems to engage in blogging is acceptable, provided that it is done in a professional and responsible manner, does not otherwise violate XYZ Company's policy, is not detrimental to XYZ Company's best interests, and does not interfere with an employee's regular work duties. Blogging from XYZ Company's systems is also subject to monitoring
It goes on to talk about not revealing proprietary information or trade secrets, not tarnishing the image of the company or any of it's employees, engaging in harassing or discriminatory practices in blogging.

So...
I knew that it was possible some IT guy could track me to this blog from server logs eventually. But I have to wonder if my blogging at work led to this inclusion or do lots of people here do it? We are a tech company so lots of internet nerds around this place. Yet I feel singled out (even though I'm probably crazy). Would all my blathering about RBT be considered tarnishing to his image? I mean I never name him by name or anything.

In the email section we have this lovely disclaimer about offensive comments - The email system shall not be used for the creation or distribution of any disruptive or offensive messages about race, gender, hair color, disabilities, age, sexual orientation, pornography, religious beliefs and practice, political beliefs, or national origin.... Hair color? Really? Are blondes a protected class now? Let's cover all bases I guess.

I guess my blogging will mostly be from home now just in case this was aimed at me and I'll have to lay off the blonde jokes I guess. I'm about to sign and turn in my paper saying I have read the policy and acknowledge that violating it could lead to termination. The policy is 10 pages long and is not all about blogging - it's about internet and email, spamming, virus protection, password policies, etc. I still feel it is all about me because well... isn't everything about me?

6 comments:

Lisa Emrich said...

It doesn't sound directed at you personally. It sounds as though they are "getting with the times" so to speak. Blogging in general has become very common and it is actually nice that they do not explicitly state that employees at XYZCo are not allowed to engage in any blogging activity without explicit approval of every word by a rep of the company. See I don't even know where you work and I don't recall you having said anything about the company or fellow employees. So I think you are well within the guidelines they have set forth. Keep blogging as you wish.

Tricia said...

Oh I do know that! :) The "everything is about me" was a joke! :) But I still think I'll be careful about what I do from work.

Anonymous said...

I'm having the same dilemma. I've already been told that the employees at corporate are heavily monitored. That's never been our policy, and I'm told that I shouldn't worry about it in Paradise. But what if? I've really been trying (no, really) not to have too much activity, in hopes that they'll never look because the volume doesn't warrant it.

It's hard though, when you have dial up at home and cable at work.

The Lady Who Doesn't Lunch: said...

I'm usually too busy to blog at work, and also more than the teensiest bit paranoid that someone in IT will read my blog and then blab about it. My blog is fairly anonymous and I would DIE if someone from work read it.

I do check into my Reader thoughout the day though.

Jennifer McKenzie said...

It can't be all about you cause it's all about ME doncha know.

Anonymous said...

Hey, it sounds like they have a fairly lenient policy - no company I've ever worked for would allow personal blogging for sure! My new company is much more rigid about internet policy than my old one from what I hear through the grapevine, so I never really risk it. There's always so much going on there that I can't imagine having time anyway! :-)