Microsoft MVP Code of Conduct

Updated: April 2021

What is the purpose of the MVP Award program Code of Conduct?

Microsoft's mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Microsoft MVPs are technology experts who passionately share their knowledge and expertise with the community. Our standards and values as a program reflect our commitment to make a positive impact around the globe where we seek to provide a respectful, friendly, professional, and an inclusive experience for everyone. Simply put, an individual’s character and leadership truly matter to us.

Microsoft makes this Code of Conduct highly visible to clarify our values, expectations, provide reporting resources for conduct violations, and outline how Microsoft may choose to enforce this Code of Conduct.

What are the values that we expect of our community and those who engage?

Our program finds strength in diversity and inclusion. In all our interactions, we aspire to embody and champion these values as a program and as a community.

• Be respectful and inclusive
  • Respect differences of opinion – just because someone holds a different viewpoint from your own, doesn’t mean that they’re wrong.
  • Make a conscious effort to include people who differ from you.
  • Remember that people have varying communication styles different from your own.
  • Show a willingness to understand more about the experiences of others.
  • Ask questions to understand.
• Lead with empathy
  • Listen with purpose – seek to understand before being understood.
  • Conduct yourself professionally and be kind to others.
  • Show understanding for another person’s situation and emotions.
• Be friendly, open, and welcoming
  • Assume good intent and interpret others’ statements or questions in good faith.
  • Foster environments that allow all members to feel connected to each other and the community.
  • Promote a friendly atmosphere where people feel comfortable asking questions, participating in discussions, and making contributions.
• Be thoughtful
  • Think about how others will interpret your words – productive, clear communication requires effort.
  • Be aware of your strengths and weaknesses and how your own behavior and reactions influence others’ emotions and actions.
  • Sometimes it is best to pause from commenting or reacting immediately to feedback/constructive criticism.
  • We will make mistakes. When others are not at their best, we should reach out, offer support, and seek to understand. When you are at fault, listen, and ask how you can make things right.

For more information and learning resources to support inclusive environments, please our visit our Global Diversity and Inclusion site.

What are the expectations of MVPs?

Microsoft does not tolerate any behavior that is degrading to any individual in any form. This summary of Microsoft’s minimum expectations is intended to provide individuals considering participation in the MVP Program and the public with the standards of what is not accepted as values within our community include the following (without limitation):

1. No disrespectful behavior. This includes threats, harassment, stalking, abuse, slurs, profanity, personal attacks, sexual remarks or innuendos, physical violence, public speculation about others, and any other behavior that Microsoft deems inconsistent with the MVP Award Program.
2. No impersonations of a Microsoft employee, agent, manager, host, or another user.
3. No illegal or offensive activities. MVPs will not publish, post, distribute, or disseminate defamatory, infringing, obscene, or other unlawful material or discussion. This includes, but is not limited to, child pornography, bestiality, incest, illegal drugs, software piracy, discriminatory/racist statements or images and harassment.
4. Accountability. MVPs are fully responsible and liable for anything they say (whether orally or in writing) or do. This includes any actions taken based on advice or information received in online forums or elsewhere, how an MVP conducts themselves as a community leader, and interactions with other MVPs and the general public.
5. No libel or slander against Microsoft or other persons or entities. Libel includes false statements made in written form, such as statements posted to forums or other publicly accessible websites, electronic mail, or any other printed form.
6. No confidentiality violations. MVPs may get access to certain non-public information during their participation in the Program and are expected to honor their confidentiality obligations with respect to such information.
7. No plagiarism. MVPs may only post their own original work or work that they have written permission to post. If an MVP cites another author’s work, MVPs are expected to provide any necessary attribution according to the requirements associated with the original author’s work. Learn more about copyright at: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/legal/Copyright/Default.aspx.
8. No discrimination or harassment. Microsoft is committed to providing a harassment-free experience to Program participants regardless of age, ancestry, color, gender identity or expression, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical size, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or technology choices. Harassment is unwelcome verbal, physical or virtual behavior based on the characteristics identified above.
9. No sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is unwelcome verbal, physical or virtual behavior based on sex and includes gender-based harassment of a person of the same or different gender. Examples of sexual harassment include, but are not limited to:
   • Unwelcome sexual advances
   • Sexual comments or inappropriate gender-based jokes
   • Excessive, unwelcome romantic attention
   • Offering or conditioning an employment benefit or preferential treatment, like a promotion or job assignment, in exchange for sexual favors
   • Unwelcome physical contact
   • Sharing or displaying sexually explicit content
   • Using sexually degrading words

Important Note: The above summary of expectation applies to all MVPs and is for informational purposes. Microsoft reserves the right to amend or change this Code of Conduct at any time, without notice. MVPs agree to periodically review this document to ensure they follow the obligations.

How do I report a potential conduct violation?

To report any concerning or violating behavior you, or anyone else in the community encounters, on or offline, you are encouraged to report it to MVP Global Support or a member of the MVP program team. If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a member of the Program or event staff immediately. If you don’t feel comfortable going through one of these channels, you can raise an anonymous concern via the Microsoft Runs on Trust website. 

How is the Code of Conduct enforced?

All reported concerns are reviewed confidentially by the MVP Award Program team. Disciplinary actions, up to and including termination from the Program, are made on a case-by-case basis at Microsoft's sole discretion.