Microsoft’s employee blogging policy

Lenn Pryor, Director of Platform Evangelism for Microsoft, presented Microsoft’s semi-informal blogging policy at this week’s Blog Business Summit. (Microsoft has over 1000 employees blogging)

• Above all, be smart
• Respect existing confidentiality agreements
• Don’t break news – don’t disclose confidential information
• Be cautious with third-party information
• Respect prior employers
• Identify yourself
• Be cautious in how you offer support or advice
• Speak for yourself
• Think about reactions before you post

Susannah Gardner, reporting on Pryor’s presentation, thought it a most interesting lesson for other businesses considering starting a blog and that are worried about possible legal issues: It can be done without involving the lawyers in reviewing every post.