Blogs and sexual harassment

Bridget1

Saw an interesting article on web logs (blogs) and harassment (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/29/AR2007042901555.html?referrer=email). Was wondering if anyone has a policy specific to harassment and the internet that lays out specific prohibitiions, situations in which employees would be violating policy if they communicate in a harassing way on-line. Does the policy cover outside parties, vendors, other?  Thanks,

Bridget

ntk104

I'm really glad that you brought this up.  I knew we had a policy but it has been a while since it has been reviewed.  The policy we do have is broad in scope and is listed under "Types of offenses that could result in immediate discharge (serious offenses)."  Even though this policy is broad it does cover outside parties, vendors, etc. 

IrisD

Yes, we have a "respect for dignity" statement in our policy that bloggers must respect the dignity and privacy of coworkers, supervisors, managers, and owners, and that violators are subject to discipline. Accordingly, we also state that bloggers should not post the names of company customers, clients, vendors, or partners, and that these entitities also come under the "respect for dignity" statement as well.

We also include references to our harassment, defamation, Internet use, and confidentiality policies in our blogging policy.  We also ask that employee bloggers include a disclaimer stating tha their blog postings represent their personal opinion, not the official position of the company.