Internet/E-Mail at Work

[scrapster]

The company I work for (and others around here) is nailing people (suspensions and firings) for abusing internet/e-mail privileges, (ie: on it too long, porn sites, porn in e-mails, private business on company time). I really don't see why they give out access to the internet when most people don't require it for work anyway, and for the rare occasion needed can access it at home. Just wondering if you guys are seeing the same thing at your jobs?

[bobydigatl]

You just need the right job I guess. Me, I'm paid to be online 40 hours a week:D

I think employers across the board don't want to be paying an employee to check his personal mail and adjust his fantasy baseball team.

If it's obvious enough to be caught for it then maybe they should be fired.

[Psycho99]

well. I'm not paid to be online all the time...but, we have NO filtering S/W...NO monitering...kinda cool...i never miss a thing relating to DSS testing...:gg

~~The Psycho

[thumpar]

Well since I am one of the admins I have no problems doing what I want on the net. I have mirc and all my favorites set to the den on my pc. :gg


Thumpar

[Trailer#420]

Thank god I am the boss!
My business IS the internet!

[phoztech]

well most companies that fire people for that are not really firing for the over use of internet,, they are firing because the person is not actually doing there job... if a person gets their job done and does a good job the bosses want care if they see them online alot... however if they do a marginal job then they might... or heck it is just another reason to cut costs ,, and if you get fired they dont have to pay unemployment... versus they lay you off and they do...

I work for a company that is rather strict about it... and i have gotten a few calls from the network boys about a few choice pirating sites(this one included) and I just tell them i am doing research for web devlopment since it is my job to build websites etc ...

but i know that they are just trying to harass and i am sure they have gone to my boss ,, but my boss is happy with my work and thus nothing will come of it ... if something does happen then f'em

[BigDog4All]

Solution...

If you want to surf non-company websites, then go home.

If it's job related, stay around until the end of the workday.

That's a simple request....for if not enforced, then the government will get involved. They will then invite the IRS. The IRS will then say, you are receiveing a benefit that you are not taxed on. Therefore, you will now be taxed to surf at work. And the boss will see this as wasted productivity.

For if I ran a company and the employee surfed and tied up the network all day, then no work would be getting done.

I have no problem anyone checking mail, surfing, or otherwise, just do it on YOUR own time and YOUR own equipment.

See, I'm not as liberal as most think.

[Scooby111]

BigDog... This is probably one of the few times I'll disagree with you.

Most employee's don't abuse internet priveledges at work, and in most cases I consider it a fringe benefit. I would much rather have my employee's at their desk surfing for a hour or two a day than walking the halls chatting with "chatty cathy the office motor-mouth".

I expect my employee's to get their jobs done, and they do. As long as that's happening they are free to surf and email.

Now let me say that we do monitor usage, but it's not strictly enforced. If we find a problem we deal with it quickly, but by no means would I ever prevent my employee's from a little r&r time.

I expect them to work 60-70 hrs most weeks and believe me they do. Maybe I'm just lucky, but my employee's have never given me a problem.

My 2 cents.....Scoob

[geewiz]

Okay, I consider myself a liberal-minded, anti-authoritarian(sp) fella; and an advocate of privacy rights. With that said, I believe employers have a right to dictate "acceptable use" policy to their workers. Whether this is in writing or not does not matter (tho' it should be in writing). You, as an employee should expect no privacy when using their equipment and connections. After all, it's their resources, and you are being paid to work, not surf job un-related sites or chat with others, etc. They have the right to monitor and filter usage. Whether your surfing affects your productivity or not doesn't matter. It's common-f*****g sense. You are using someone else gear for you own use while on their time.

Okay, I'll get off my high horse now.

[Sgt_Stedenko]

I agree with what geewiz said.

It's their computers, and their network.

[scrapster]

I have a slightly different opinion on this. When several other guys at work were suspended, i chose to have my internet access removed. In the 6 months since I have never needed it for work. Now i understand some need it for work, but if you are being truly honest most would admit they don't. They want it for play. I believe the internet is a very addictive device and the fact is that even with repeated warnings some employees still risk their jobs. I would like to see companies suspend it for people that don't require it and set-up fire walls to prevent access to unnecessary sites. Whats the difference between surfing on company time and watching a tv? Nothing.

[phoztech]

dont get me wrong guys yes my employer does have the right to monitor my internet, since heck it really is their internet... and yes they have the right to fire me for it to ... but i also retain the right to work at a place that will allow me to surf the internet as long as i get my job done ... I have some friends that have quite their jobs because a companies policies are so strict(not just regaurding internet use),, you have the right to work anywhere you want just like the employers have the right to setup the work environment anyway they want.... it just so happens that happy employees generally work harder.

yes some people abuse the internet and waste so much time they cant do their jobs... they should be fired .. not for internet usage but for failing to do their jobs.

i would say in any given day I surf maybe a total of about an hour to an hour and a half..(most is email related)