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ShowmanQ

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 19, 2007
Messages
808
Location
Ohio
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

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 13, 2007
Messages
692
Location
McCook Ne.
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

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 9, 2007
Messages
1,865
Location
Iowa
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

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 29, 2007
Messages
969
Location
Central Lower Michigan
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

Well-known member
Joined
May 24, 2007
Messages
2,660
Location
Kansas
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

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 4, 2007
Messages
733
Location
NoDak
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

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 10, 2008
Messages
1,280
Location
Texas
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

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 19, 2007
Messages
808
Location
Ohio
Cowboy said:
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

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 26, 2007
Messages
166
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

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 15, 2008
Messages
767
Location
South Texas
reno1014 said:
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

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 22, 2008
Messages
853
Location
Ohio
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.
 
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