Ones and Zeros: Another Blog Related Firing

Another Blog Related Firing

October 29, 2003	Blogging
Freshly Unemployed: Blogger Michael Hanscom joined the ranks of the unemployed on Monday, because Microsoft Security objected to his blog entry Even Microsoft wants G5s. The blog entry had a picture of a truck delivering some boxed Apple G5 computers and mentioned where Hanscom worked and what building it was in. His manager told him that "Microsoft has the right to decide that because of what you said, you're no longer welcome on the Microsoft campus." I agree with Hanscom that the post is pretty innocuous. As a Microsoft customer buying software for MacOS computers, I'd be really annoyed if they weren't testing them on the latest and greatest Macs. Especially since Virtual PC doesn't run on G5s yet. Microsoft employee and corporate blog evangelist Robert Scoble says Microsoft encourages employees to weblog. Microsoft has been, in recent months, ahead of the corporate culture curve with respect to blogging. It's my hope that this is a mistake or the result of one branch of the company not knowing what other branches are encouraging. Even if Hanscom shouldn't have posted this picture, this solidly moves Microsoft into the "mixed message" category on blogging, which while not great, is still better than many companies. I've contacted some Microsoft bloggers for comment. If I get any replies, official or unofficial, I will post them here.
.:Posted by Michael on October 29, 2003 9:06 AM:.

It's important to keep clear that MS employees and MS temp workers are treated very differently. I honestly can't imagine a FTE being fired for something like this -- though I'm sure they'd have been told to be more careful about details like building numbers, etc.

Sandy

.:Posted by Sandy Hereld ( total) on October 29, 2003 10:41 AM:.

As a temp employee he violated his right to work contract by mentioning buildings, and especially shipping and recieving. MS is very, very strict about temps disclosing anything that is even in the neighborhood of sensitive. The contracts even state that you don't get a warning if you cross that line, you just get fired. He's lucky he got to talk to his boss. They could have just told him to mail in his badge, his stuff would be mailed to him, and he wasn't allowed within 200 feet of the campus.

I can speak about the 'tightness' of the contracts as I used to contract at an MS support center. I read the verbage and there is no 'wiggle room' with regards to something classed as a security violation.

.:Posted by Damien ( total) on October 30, 2003 4:59 AM:.

As a former temp, I can sympathize with Michael Hanscom. But I know from personal experience that temps and regular employees are treated differently, and have less options in the case of mistakes. A temp is a 'body,' an extra pair of hands, and as such is easily replaced. And sometimes the mistake of a temp can cause punishment to be visited upon the agency as well (the termination of the contract).

I think MS overreacted, IMO. I honor Michael Hanscom for owning his own name and actions, however, and hope he is again gainfully employed soon. I further hope MS enjoys those G5s, one of which I would dearly love to own myself!

.:Posted by stellans ( total) on October 30, 2003 9:21 AM:.

Just a quick note to say I've included this entry in my Blogospherics
column at Mac-a-ro-nies.

I would have sent an email, but couldn't find an address.

.:Posted by Mac Diva ( total) on October 30, 2003 10:09 PM:.