Surfing the net at work?

[ShowmanQ]

I just heard of a situation that really got me thinking of my steerplanet family.
A guy from our county just lost his job here recently for surfing the web at work. The company did a sweep on the computers and he got the boot when they found the Ohio Cattlemen's, and Ohio Signature Beef sites on his computer. 2 other women got terminated as well, for Mary Kay and Avon. Seems rotten to get fired for that, especially if it is only on your lunch and whatnot, but I suppose rules are rules regardless.
I have a feeling there are many on this board that are guilty?!?!?

 

[Cowboy]

Can I fire myself -- I've always wanted to get some "Unemployement Benefits" -- self employed as I am , it's just a tick from Unemployed any way. hehehe!

Yup --I am guilty too -- I surf while working -- ah -- well um -- jeez -- meybe it's not the same!

Those folks who got fired -- by any chance were they also able to detect the TIME that they surfed -- or was it not allowed period?? Seemes a little profound if it was an inocent thing!

Terry

 

[ROAD WARRIOR]

I would fire myself too, but I'm the only one thatr shows up for work everyday so I guess that won't work either. RW

 

[dori36]

Slippery slope, this one.  On one hand, if the company has put pretty big $ into a computer system/network/server, etc, I guess it's their right to say "no personal activity on the company system".  I'd have to say I agree with that.  On the other hand, the whole email/internet 'thing' has gotten to be such a way of life that maybe a little leeway would be good.  Since I now do work outside my home part time, when I feel I 'must' check email (and if I actually have time to do it) or surf, I do it on my own pda.  I've got a Palm Treo but I'm sure the faithful Blackberry would also work!  ;D

 

[kanshow]

When I was working for USDA, this one was open to anyone's (your supervisor's) interpretation.  Using the email is about like using the phone for personal business -IMO.. some people abuse it.  Using the computer for personal websurfing gets a little slippery as Dori says.

The thing I noted was that if the employee in general was doing a good job & not a bunch of goofing off - internet usage was more lax. 

 

[klintdog]

Posting this from work right now. We're allowed as long as we keep it within reason. I typically browse this while I'm sitting on hold on the phone.

 

[Simmymom1]

I am posting from work right now too.  I have a great boss who knows how crazy I am about cattle.  He does not mind as long as I get my work done. Now, I am sure if I was not  a good employee it would be a different story. 

 

[ShowmanQ]

Can I fire myself -- I've always wanted to get some "Unemployement Benefits" -- self employed as I am , it's just a tick from Unemployed any way. hehehe!

Yup --I am guilty too -- I surf while working -- ah -- well um -- jeez -- meybe it's not the same!

Those folks who got fired -- by any chance were they also able to detect the TIME that they surfed -- or was it not allowed period?? Seemes a little profound if it was an inocent thing!

Terry

The people were told that the time did not matter...it was not allowed period. The guy we know was only looking at stuff at lunch, but that did not seem to matter one bit.

 

[reno1014]

Seems to me it was an excuse for downsizing.  May not have to pay unemployment that way.  I could see it if you sat on your rear
all day....but this really sounds like an excuse to me.

 

[LN]

Seems to me it was an excuse for downsizing.  May not have to pay unemployment that way.  I could see it if you sat on your rear
all day....but this really sounds like an excuse to me.

I was going to reply and say the same thing. Sounds like the company was fishing for reasons to fire employees to cut back.

 

[bcosu]

researched a little and found a few stats like 87% of employees polled by itsecrurity.com would surf the web for personal stuff like email games and other nonwork related stuff. another site said that 44% of people that surf for personal use are on for around two hours not counting a lunch break. that may not exactly be productive if you ask me but i don't think it's worth losing your job over.

 

[Simmymom1]

I personally believe the stats, sounds about right!