14 DAY TRIAL // A person within Apple has leaked the company’s ‘Retail Blogging and Online Social Media Guidelines’ which explain that employees cannot use blogs, wikis, social networks, and similar online tools to communicate about their employer internally.
But that’s the tip of the iceberg as far as restrictions go. According to the leaked documentation, obtained by Cultofmac, personal websites created by the employees cannot be used to discuss Apple in any way.
The staff is restricted from commenting on any Apple-related websites, and the company has a zero-tolerance policy on rumors.
Employees are not to engage in rumor discussions with customers (this is understandable) and instead must divert from the topic saying something like “Apple does not comment on rumors about decisions, products, programs, or promotions that have not been officially announced by Apple.”
Now, here comes an even better part. According to the blog whose editors are privy of the leaked documents, staffers are completely prohibited to interact with customers outside of business purposes.
And it appears this does’t just apply to working hours, but also after the bell has rung:
“Do not use or discuss any information regarding customers for any purpose. This includes contacting customers for social reasons or soliciting outside business.”
So what are you supposed to do if you fall in love with the person who just bought an iPad and left you their phone number - quit your job? What if you do and then find out he / she eats their peas one at a time? (Seinfeld gag) Now you’re single and unemployed (like George).
Furthermore, Apple requests that employees draw a clear line between their work email and their private email, which sounds fair.
“You have been given a free .mac/.me email address to use for non-work related emails. Please use that email or another personal email address for those types of communications,” reads the document.
“Finally, do not post or disclose the contents of any Apple policy. These documents are intended for the use of Apple employees, and not for public distribution,” the papers add.