YourBoss

Think you can slack off at work and surf the web? Think again!

A recent survey by the American Management Association reported that 38% of US Companies routinely check their employees' email and 54% routinely monitor their employees internet activity. New surveilance software is being installed on company's computers and employees' are being terminated for excessive and inappropriate use of the internet. Said one manager, "While (employees) are on the company clock, we consider it theft of payroll funds."

Internet abusers have an illusion of privacy, but anything connected to a central server can and is stored and reviewed.

Bob Brown

I told my students for years, "Never say anything in email that you could not tolerate being posted on the bulletin board by the water cooler."
Private use of company email in some companies is grounds for dismissal.

Larry

Hey, quit it, you're scaring off all the list participants! LOL

Bill

Maybe it will scare off the trolls! We had a secretary in my company who posted on boards all day and shopped on ebay. She was finally terminated. She's wasn't the only one. The company sent out a memo that personal internet use is prohibited.

Bob Brown

Well, if you think email is guaranteed confidential, think again.
I knew a fellow who had a very steamy exchange on email with his girl friend.
It was quite explicit. Someone cracked
his password and the correspondence made the rounds.

Noach

Yeah Bob, I've been meaning to apologize to you about the email thing. Hope you didn't get into trouble with the Mrs.

Where's Everyone

Actually, I have noticed that all of the boards are very quiet these days. Could it be the election is consuming everyone, or could it be that this thread freaked people out?

ITProfessional

I was reading the thread on the election and other threads here and it amazes me the personal information people post on this board and others. As an IT person I can attest to the fact your personal opinions and information are not private! And, company's and bosses will use that information!

Bob Brown

It wasn't me! I think I have enough common sense to keep that stuff off of a company email account!! Besides, what makes you think I have a wife?

Topper

All you slackers at work better pay attention...To the top....

Worker

Anybody who uses their companies computers for personal use deserve what they get. They should be terminated. The company pays you to work and not fool around.

marlena

Yeah, "Worker", and how about those dastardly employees who dare to use the telephone to call their loved ones. And to make doctors appointments, and even those who take breaks for coffee. They are all BAD!

Let's face it. Being unproductive, no matter what the diversion is, is the issue. Not Internet usage itself.

Boss

Marlena-The post is about people who are abusing internet privileges at work, not actual internet usage! Big difference! Believe it or not, there are many people who surf the web continuously instead of getting their work done. They think no one is monitoring what they are doing in their office or cubicle. But, they can and are being monitored!

As for telephone usage and coffee breaks, most companies allow reasonable telephone usage and coffee breaks. However, there are people who abuse these privilegs also. They will eventually get caught and be dealt with, either reprimanded or terminated. The bottom line is you are at work to work and not shop online, post on message boards on yak on the phone constantly!

Techie

To all those posting political garbage here...guess what??? You are not anonymous!! We have had fun reading your posts and passing your comments around the office! Don't be surprised if you are passed up for that promotion or raise....

YourBossAgain

Back to work you slackers!!!!

dunno

I understand how the powers-that-be have access to your email, but I don't get how they can monitor my internet activity. Does that mean that they know what pages I'm seeing and what I'm doing, or just how long I've been on. Plus, if I have a real-time stock ticker, wouldn't that appear that I've been surfing the web all day, when in fact I've been working hard, with only an occasional glance to see how much money I'm losing.

know

1. 'They' can check the history in your computer. Go to Start, Find, File or Folder, then type in 'cache' and 'cookies' and 'temporary internet files'. Delete them all.

2. If you use Netscape, open it and go to Edit, Preferences, and then clear the location bar and and clear history.

3. If you use IE, right-click on the icon and go to Properties. Click on Delete Files and Clear History.

4. If you use Eudora Mail, periodically delete any .mbx files, EXCEPT the inbox file, because that will delete the mail in your inbox. Go to Start, Find, Files or Folders, and then type in .mbx All of your deleted mail is stored there.

This may not completely cover your tracks, but it will prevent anyone from sitting down at your desk and nosing around.

know

One more thing, in the State of California, an employer must inform you in WRITING that your e-mail will be monitored before they actual do.

Bob

New software makes it easy for employers to track your usage and don't think for a minute they are informing you they are doing it. There are ways to get around laws.

xx

Who do you think is going to be the first to go when your company downsizes? The water cooler gossips, slackers and those that post all day on the Internet. It's happening in companies all over this country. If you think you are immune--then you really are stupid!