It's a sign of troubling times ahead for Microsoft. Would you bring your iPhone to work, even for only personal use? Most bosses wouldn’t mind as long as you’re not spending all day on it. But it would be unwise to flaunt your iPhone if you’re a Microsoft employee.Last fall, a Microsoft worker used an iPhone to snap a picture of CEO Steve Ballmer, who, in turn, snatched the iPhone and mockingly stomped on it. Shortly after joining Microsoft, Stephen Elop, president of Microsoft’s business division, obliterated his iPhone in a blender.A Microsoft employee with an iPhone told the Wall Street Journal: “Maybe once a year I’m in a meeting with Steve Ballmer. It doesn’t matter who’s calling, I’m not answering my phone.”Early last year, Microsoft changed its cell phone service reimbursement policy to cover only phones that run on Windows Phone software, the Wall Street Journal reported. Microsoft, of course, wants everyone to get behind its struggling mobile technology. Yet Microsoft can’t stop the Apple iPhone phenomenon from breaching its proverbial four walls. Some 10,000 iPhones tap into Microsoft’s employee email system, about 10 percent of Microsoft’s global workforce, sources told the Wall Street Journal. Top Microsoft executive J Allard also carries around an iPhone.Market researcher Gartner reported that iPhone OS grew market share by 6.2 percent to 14.4 percent last year, helping it move past Microsoft Windows Mobile. Microsoft’s market share fell by more than 3 percent to 8.7 percent. Hoping to reverse the tide, Microsoft is reportedly overhauling its Windows Phone 7 Series to be delivered on smartphones during the holiday season. Microsoft’s chances, however, aren’t good. iPhones on Microsoft’s campus is a sign of troubling times ahead for the software giant. When folks who receive a paycheck from a company start buying a rival product, it usually means game over. Or, at the very least, there’s something fundamentally wrong with your product.I’m inclined to believe the latter. The iPhone represents more than just technology: Its ease of usability is a direct affront to Microsoft’s unwieldy software. Microsoft doesn’t face a threat of new technology so much as an assault on its image. A big company like Microsoft can’t change its image overnight, making the iPhone a formidable (if not unbeatable) foe.Fact is, the iPhone’s success has shed light on a disturbing truth: People, including some Microsoft employees, are fed up with Microsoft software. That’s why the sight of Microsoft employees toting iPhones is so vexing to Microsoft brass.Tom Kaneshige is a senior writer for CIO.com in Silicon Valley. Send him an email at tkaneshige@cio.com. Or follow him on Twitter @kaneshige. Follow everything from CIO.com on Twitter @CIOonline. Related content opinion Google Bigwig Eric Schmidt Posts Bizarre Guide for 'Converting to Android from iPhone' Google's Executive Chairman wants you to switch from iPhone to Android, and he posted a strange guide to help make the transition as smooth as possible. By Al Sacco Dec 09, 2013 2 mins Smartphones Android Operating Systems opinion Apple's 'Spaceship' Campus Evokes Jobs-Era Perfectionism Some facts have emerged about Apple's planned "spaceship" campus. Delayed and over-budget but painstakingly detailed, it's already part of Apple history, and makes CIO.com's Tom Kaneshige nostalgic for Steve Jobs' maniac By Tom Kaneshige Apr 05, 2013 3 mins Financial Services Industry Innovation IT Leadership opinion Apple, Where Art Thou? Apple is under siege and uncharacteristically running for cover amidst mounting competition and research reports favoring Android. By Tom Kaneshige Mar 12, 2013 2 mins Smartphones Tablets IT Leadership opinion Is Computer's Future a Glass House? According to Google and Corning, glass surfaces and eyeglasses are where we'll do our computing in the future. By Tom Kaneshige Mar 06, 2013 1 min Small and Medium Business Innovation Mobile Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe