Of blogging and unemployment

This entry was published at least two years ago (originally posted on October 27, 2003). Since that time the information may have become outdated or my beliefs may have changed (in general, assume a more open and liberal current viewpoint). A fuller disclaimer is available.

UPDATE: Please take the time to read my followup post, Fifteen Minutes of Fame, for my thoughts on what happened after I posted the picture, why it happened — and most importantly, why I don’t blame Microsoft for their actions. Thanks!


The day started like any other day — get up, dink around for a bit, bus into work, and start working through the stack of jobs. Just shy of an hour after I got in, my manager came in and asked me to step into his office when I had a chance. Sure, no biggie, and I headed over as soon as I finished the job I was setting up.

“Okay, here’s the first question. Is this page,” and here he turned his monitor towards me, letting me see my “Even Microsoft wants G5s” post from last Thursday, “hosted on any Microsoft computer? Or is it on your own?”

“It’s on mine. Well, it’s on a hosted site that I pay for, but no, it’s not on anything of Microsoft’s.”

“Good. That means that as it’s your site on your own server, you have the right to say anything you want. Unfortunately, Microsoft has the right to decide that because of what you said, you’re no longer welcome on the Microsoft campus.”

And that simply, as of about 2pm today, I once again joined the ranks of the unemployed.

It seems that my post is seen by Microsoft Security as being a security violation. The picture itself might have been permissible, but because I also mentioned that I worked at the MSCopy print shop, and which building it was in, it pushed me over the line. Merely removing the post was also not an option — I offered, and my manager said that he had asked the same thing — but the only option afforded me was to collect any personal belongings I had at my workstation and be escorted out the door. They were at least kind enough to let me be escorted out by one of my co-workers, rather than sending security over to usher me out, but the end result is the same.

More frustrating for me is that, having read stories here and there on the ‘net about people who had for one reason or another lost their jobs due to something on their weblogs, I thought that I had done what I could to avoid that possibility. To my mind, it’s an innocuous post. The presence of Macs on the Microsoft campus isn’t a secret (for everything from graphic design work to the Mac Business Unit), and when I took the picture, I made sure to stand with my back to the building so that nothing other than the computers and the truck would be shown — no building features, no security measures, and no Microsoft personnel. However, it obviously wasn’t enough.

So, I’m unemployed. I am somewhat lucky in that I’m not technically unemployed — I am still on the roster for my temp agency, who has been very good to me so far (and hopefully will continue to be), but as their ability to place me anywhere does depend on the current job market, it’s not a foolproof guarantee of employment coming in quickly. I’ve put a call into them and let them know of the situation and that I’m available and willing for whatever can be found, so with any luck, they’ll be able to find a placement for me. However, it appears that it’s also time for me to start hitting the streets and shopping my resume around again.

Wish me luck.

369 thoughts on “Of blogging and unemployment”

  1. Omg. That’s just incredible. You must have stepped on somebody’s toes – nay broken somebody’s toes… It’s amazing what people and corporations get pissy over. Microsuck just needs a swift kick in the nads and I volunteer! No one sacks my friends! Unless it’s the other kind of sack – if you know what I mean…

  2. Holy fucking shit, I think your month just got way worse than mine. I can’t believe they dismissed you for something so harmless.
    Can you really be fired for that? Are they terrified of letting people know where their shipping dock is?? What the fuck??!!

    Needless to say I’m shocked that your post title really meant what it implied.

    Let me know if you get in a financial bind – I know I’m not the only one who reads your blog who would scrape together a few extra bucks to make sure you have rent/food money. In fact, I’d venture to say that some folks with popular blogs would put up a tip jar in your stead, even if you don’t.

    Also, I’m pretty good at editing documents and making them look pretty – I’ll help on your resume/cover letter if you want any assistance.

    hugs from me as well.

  3. Oh, Kiddo. I ache for you. And you thought it was only family and friends who were interested in your blog. Big Brother was not on your list of expected readers.

    We love you.

  4. I am stunned. So sorry that such a little thing lost you your job. I hope you find something else quickly and I appreciate your posting on this topic as it validates my own paranoia about what content I allow the world to view with my own blog.

    But yikes! Hang in there…

  5. That’s a load of crap to put it a nice way. I remember reading that post and saw no security issues. But that’s Microsoft for you. Just another good reason I use Linux. As someone already said, “the list of reasons Microsoft sucks so badly just keeps growing”.

  6. This is just beyond the pale. I never thought they’d screw someone so close to me on the Kevin Bacon metric. I’m sorry, man. Let me know if there’s anything that I can do.

  7. I’d say “that stinks”, but I’d be telling you something you already know. I offer my sympathies and my shared astonishment. On the plus side, you don’t have to worry what they think of your blog any more. You could certainly let them have it, if that’s what you feel like doing.

  8. Ridiculous! Utterly insane! At the risk or repeating earlier responses, Microsoft couldn’t possibly suck any worse! They’re total idiots! I agree with Kirsten–if there’s anything I can do to help, let me know. I’m also quite adept at editing resumes and cover letters. (‘Sides, I owe you for all of your editing help on my various projects!) Lots of HUGS from me too!

  9. We are sorry to hear of your job situation. Michael, we will remember you in
    our thoughts and prayers. Just remember you were looking for a job when you found
    the one you were at and with your talents, you will be able to find another one.
    Good luck and keep the faith.

  10. First of all, I am so sorry!!!

    Secondly, can your agency place you elsewhere or has Bill Gate’s actions blackballed you?

    Thirdly – is there a free legal clinic in SEA? I am not sure what they did is kosher, but I do not know WA law.

    I love you, kid. I agree this is an overreaction. The post was merely funny, not derogatory.

    Bummer.

    Love

    Dad

  11. Bummer! I agree that your posting was innocuous. You did mention a building but you did not give any useful details on the building. There is some paranoia about terrorists attacking the Microsoft campus. See — http://www.winnetmag.com/Article/ArticleID/24492/24492.html

    Ultimately it’s their campus and I guess they get to set the rules. It would have been more just if they gave you a warning and/or they had a policy on these things. If you were an employee (not a contractor)then I am sure they wouldn’t be so cavalier.

    I hope that official Microsoft bloggers such as Robert Scoble don’t dare mention buildings or post any photos. Good luck finding your next career opportunity.

  12. Wow! I’m really sorry to hear the news Michael. What the hell is Microsoft trying to hid? There must be some latent issues inside that corporation that are f*@#ed up! Anyways, I would say, check out your legal rights if you feel that it is a good thing to do, but i’m not worried about you. The universe is tilting you in a different direction and you are fully capable of sliding away toward something new and exciting!

  13. Unfortunately, it is well known in other shops that are more code-centric that yes, MS is terrified of everything. Paranoid, no. You can’t be paranoid enough when they really are out to get you. And everyone is out to get Microsoft.

    However, as a former contractor, I can sympathize and even empathize. I doubt I could get hired @ MS again if I wanted to.

    Give me a call on my cell, and send me your resume to my work email. I’ll see what I can do.

  14. Screw them Michael, I wish you best of luck in the job hunt. I agreed with Hope, you should check out your options to take legal action against them.

    Jess

  15. Oh man….What can I say, I’m so sorry.
    When I saw the post I was worried a bit, I also work for a large Corp. (Now I won’t even say the name, but it starts with an X) and my boss made it clear to me that I was not allowed to take any pictures in or around the building without permission.
    I did ask one day and I did take pictures but they “reviewed” the shots before I left.(digital camera).
    One of the reasons I hate working for large Corps.(they suck)

    But Michael all is not lost. The very large X that I work for is looking for a Docu-tech operator.
    call me……TONIGHT

    I’ll be home between 4-8 pm. and E-Mail me your resume.

    Good luck

  16. Michael, this is beyond asinine. If you lived out here on the east coast I would help ya find something. While I am a security geek, and I can understand their position, it does not merit the punishment. I would have taken you aside given you a warning … maybe beat ya with the rubber hose… but fire you? Thats just bullshit.

    Whats next? Are they going to fire people for putting their building number on their business cards? Feh!

  17. holy cow, michael! i can’t believe this. it was such an innocent post. i admire your restraint in discussing your former employers. i likely would have been a little less generous.

    like the other offers, if there is anything you need please let us know.

    this is stunning.

  18. Sweet Jesus! I’ll post this to my blog (hell with them – I’m on a Linux box anyways). You should see what the press thinks of this one, unless it conflicts with your employment agreement. Make a heck of a news byline for someone….

    I’m standing behind you on this one.

    Karl
    Windows – a colorful clown suit for DOS!

  19. Oh my God – that’s horrible! I’ve been fired from a job too because of what I’ve blogged. I feel your pain and hope you can find another employment opportunity soon.

  20. that is utterly asinine. if they fired you for “security” reasons, then wouldnt they have wanted you to delete the post? I mean, who didnt have their bowl of logic that morning? They say its a security violation but they’re content with letting you keep it posted up. That doesnt exactly compute. I hope you find a new job quickly. Its horrible to be dealt such an unfair blow like that.

  21. I just want to say, that I blogged some pretty serious secrets about the project I was working on four years ago, and all I got was (three years ago, when the project was released) a lawyer calling me up and saying “please remove all references in your posts to the product name or company name”. In retrospect, not too smart of me to blog all that, but I worked for NAI (the third largest software manufacturer in the world) and they were pretty damn cool with it. Didn’t even ask me to remove the posts or anything, just politely asked me to rename any reference to the product name.

    Maybe because this was 4 years ago, and maybe because blogging wasn’t taken as seriously then. I know for sure I wouldn’t have blogged what I did before, now.

    Anyways, I just wanted to say that that sucks, dude. But not every company handles it as draconian as MS. Methinks this is a PR disaster waiting to happen.

  22. I feel for you. I came thisclose to losing my job because of what I wrote on my site. Now, I know it’s being closely monitored and I feel limited in what I write.

    The funny thing is, I never really wrote about anything that violated any confidentiality policies. I was also very careful about Google (and other search engines) not showing my site when people ran searches on the name of my employer, the city, and my profession. Only other bloggers knew about my site…and one of them blew the whistle. Just for spite.

    I urge everyone to use extreme caution with blogging. Real names? No way. Specific job and employer mentioned? Never. Not after knowing what I know.

    Good luck on future employment. Things will work out. They always seem to for me, anyway. I can’t imagine that there’s anyone more luckless than myself…so you should make out fine.

  23. I got axed in 2001 by my company for something frivilous like this. It sounds like maybe they were just looking for reasons to trim some fat and used this as an excuse to give you the boot. That is what my company did to me over something totally insignifigant.

    Hope you are back gainfully employed in the not to distant future.

    Rob Nance
    Austin, TX

  24. Greetings from a small village in northern Thailand sixty miles from
    the Burmese border. My wife and I wish you well. I must say that the
    equanimity with which you related the account of your dismissal is remarkable.
    I suspect MS has lost a valuable employee. Good luck to you.

  25. Sorry to hear about the job – I guess no matter how big Microsoft gets, they’ll always be touchy about some things. I suppose after all the years, they’d just like a change from all the blue screens for a while – which we can’t really blame them for :P

    Best of luck finding a new job… I would make a donation, if I hadn’t also recently become unemployed! Unfortunately MY unemployment doesn’t have an interesting story to it.

    regards, digitalfire
    http://www.digitalfire.co.za

  26. I’m amazed that something as innocuous as that post could get someone fired!! Actually, its just your word that the photo has been taken inside the Microsoft campus. Without any external features visible that could link the photo to Microsoft, it could well have been a truck delivering a whole load of G5s to my very old and rich aunt who has a peculiar G5 fetish! By dismissing you, MS has just openly accepted that it REALLY IS a photo of inside the MS campus!! How silly and incredulously naive of them!! On the other hand though, with Microsoft, nothing amazes me anymore!

    MS has bulldozed its way into a sureshot PR disaster!!

    Wishing you luck for your future employment plans.

  27. Dit is gewoon belachelijk !!!!!!!! This is dutch for : This is completely utterlous ridiculous !!!
    Maybe smart to write to Steve Jobs for an job opening ??
    Good luck and hope you wil find a new job !
    Wouter Minderhoud

  28. picked up on your story via a link truly absurd over reaction – my heart goes out to you. best of luck with the job search mate.

  29. Not to be cold hearted, but you should be careful of “blogs”. I cant figure out why people write in these things, its like a public diary without a lock; it can be viewed as unprofessional. I can understand why Microsoft fired you; they view your behavior as unprofessional. Like it or not, most corporate entities are going to view behavior this way. My view of working for a big company is to think of yourself as a mercenary, or hit-man for the company: act professional all the time, and keep your personal life completely segregated in every way: maintain complete confidentiality and discretion. If you don’t, you will get “wacked” (sorry for the mafiaesque jargon, just watched the Sopranos). The responsible person would just chalk it up as experience; the hard lessons are always the best.

  30. Crap crap crap. Total unbelievable crap. This just shows how worried Microsoft really is. Like Windows XP users might see Microsoft’s 10 G5s and suddenly switch to MacOS. This is one of the reasons I’m scared to make a blog, or even own a personal website. No matter what I put up there, it could be used against me by my employer. That is crap, especially if it was something as tame as what was posted here.

  31. To me, the singular irony in this case is that you’ve been sacked for a “security violation” – this from the company that has inflicted hundreds of security violations on tens of millions of computers by releasing software that makes Swiss cheese look more solid than a brick – and to say that is an insult to Swiss cheese.

    My suggestion to Microsoft – if you’re so serious about security, why not deal with it where it counts – in your software? All of this nonsense about firing someone for revealing the building they work in as a “security violation” is nothing more than a distraction from the very serious task you have in front of you – cleaning up after all of the loose ends you left in Windows NT, 2000 and XP.

  32. This also happened to Gregg Easterbrook of ESPN, Atlantic Monthly, and the New Republic.
    He got fired from ESPN for badmouthing Disney on the New Republic’s blog site.

    Go figure. sigh

  33. I do not believe that Microsoft could ever buy Macs. Apple has sent these computers to the Microsoft Campus as a clever publicity act. There is nothing Microsoft could ever learn from the guys at Apple. Of course, these machines might not be intented for copying the stuff from Apple, but might be for the most important people who just can’t afford to have the Windows crashing on them… but I thought that they were mostly using Linux in those cases.

    I am sure you will find a new job with a better moral background, a job that you can tell proudly to your grandchildren.

  34. Current Borg employee here…

    I feel for you man, I really do. This is why I blog under a pseudo and avoid talk of work whenever possible. If I do mention work, I don’t use their actual company name, just to make it slightly more unlikely that it can be found via a search engine. Oh, and I never blog from work.

    I wonder if the fact that you were a contractor might also have contributed to this. Perhaps a FT might have survived with a warning…

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