Code Corner:

Blogging and the Code

A web log, or "blog" is nothing more than a set of tools, like a pen and paper, which can serve most any purpose imaginable. Blogs can be extremely casual, written by individuals in their pajamas, with little regard for grammar, punctuation, or spelling. Or they can be very formal, promulgated and monitored by corporations and news agencies.

Some blogs are run by political groups, social commentators, or communities of interest seeking to address a large audience. Others are intended to be read only by a small group of friends or family or perhaps by no one but the authors themselves.

Once it is published on the internet, even a personal blog is more like a billboard than a private diary tucked in a drawer and secured with a lock and key. Internet search engines like Google and Yahoo will lead you directly to thousands of personal blogs.

If your blog is devoted exclusively to a hobby or family events, privacy concerns are strictly your own. But if you write about your day, including your day at work, there are a few issues to consider:

• Refrain from references to customers, competitors, suppliers, co-workers or associates. Before you repeat a rumor (or start one!) about a business associate, remember that this person, or your boss, or another employee, customer, or supplier could stumble upon your blog. Use the same care, caution and etiquette you would if you were writing or speaking publicly.  Particularly avoid harassing, derogatory or offensive material, or anything that would violate a copyright. Show the same kind of respect you would want extended to you.

• Avoid disclosing trade secrets, proprietary, or third-party confidential information. An interesting story about your day may in fact reveal information which is proprietary to ITT, a supplier, or vendor. Manufacturing procedures, work area layout, discoveries, formulas, sketches, models, specifications, marketing plans, acquisition plans, personnel actions and financial data are just a few examples of information which may be considered proprietary or confidential. Maintain your integrity by protecting confidentiality.

• Do not make any public statements. Some information which is not proprietary should not be made public for other reasons. Speculation about a potential acquisition target, or sale of a piece of the business, a big contract we are considering bidding on, or rumors about a change in management, however well founded or far fetched, coming from the mouth or keyboard of an ITT employee may raise the interest of shareholders, the media, customers, or competitors. Clarify that any opinions you express are your own – not those of ITT. Be accountable by only sharing information that you can confirm is public.

It is important that ITT provide the public with accurate and consistent information regarding our operations. It can be easy to inadvertently reveal important company information in the course of posting information about day-to-day activities. Including company content on your blog could be in conflict with the Code of Conduct and other company standards and policies.

Before you start your blog, speak to your supervisor about your intention in order to clarify potential issues and avoid future problems. When you practice our core ethical values of accountability, integrity, and respect, your blog will represent you well.

 

I like to read blogs on my lunch hour. Is this allowed?

A. If occasional personal use of the internet is allowed at your location, reading blogs may be permissible. You should check your local IT policies and consult with your supervisor to be sure. However, blogs are different from most Web sites because they allow you to easily post or reply to comments on the blog. Please refrain from doing this on company equipment or from your company user ID.