Internet Usage in the Work Place

[Tonington]

If you were an employer, how much internet surfing would you tolerate?

As long as my employees' objectives are being met, and projects aren't being constrained, I probably wouldn't have a problem. If I noticed it happening far too often, then I'd just give them more work to do. The only time I surf the web at work is for work purposes, or when my tasks are completed. Though to be fair, my computer isn't in the same space as the labs, where the majority of my time is spent.

 

[Ariadne]

I guess if people don't mind their employer knowing exactly what websites they're surfing, and how much time they're spending on each site at each time of day, then why not surf the net and forums at work. Imagine if your employer made note of the forum, came onto the forum, checked out the threads, and saw what was being said ... personally, I wouldn't want to make myself that transparent for my employer but hey, that's me.

I like the above comment about deleting history ... ludditology in action.

 

[Goober]

As long as my employees' objectives are being met, and projects aren't being constrained, I probably wouldn't have a problem. If I noticed it happening far too often, then I'd just give them more work to do. The only time I surf the web at work is for work purposes, or when my tasks are completed. Though to be fair, my computer isn't in the same space as the labs, where the majority of my time is spent.

So it is happening and what do you consider to be excessive?

If they do not know what you will put up with they are bound to overstep. And then reactive vice pro-active normally ensues..

 

[bill barilko]

I completely disagree. I personally know a woman, a professional engineer, who got hooked on a murder investigation and was commenting on a forum while at work. She was still getting her work done. One day, she was called to the floor, and questioned about her internet use. She was immediately suspended pending a review, and, after two weeks, summarily fired

How could someone be so stupid as to use their real name/give out personal details so they could be IDed in an internet forum?
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Ok-I missed the part about engineer.

 

[Tonington]

So it is happening and what do you consider to be excessive?

If they do not know what you will put up with they are bound to overstep. And then reactive vice pro-active normally ensues..

When evaluation time rolls around, were the objectives met? All employees should have yearly objectives. How to make the business better, how to ensure compliance with regulations, there's a number of things that are on my objectives list. Our Director was very explicit, he said as long as objectives are met, he didn't care if we go out and have a picnic, and I think that's sound.

You know, one of the best managed companies in the world, Google, has a culture where giving the employees what they need to do a good job pays off in the long run. Having overbearing management which looks over the shoulder of employees like a slave task master isn't high on that list, and for good reason. Happy employees are more productive.

So, for my money, if the projects are being completed, and the objectives are being met, then I would be happy. If I noticed lots of free time that employees had, then I would get more aggressive with the timelines.

 

[Curiosity]

If I had a business operating for profit, I would also ask employees for their input via a special forum set up for company improvement, expansion, deletion of obsolete procedures, etc.

A meeting place for employees seeking to improve their own area of expertise can give management some huge input which would take forever to collect in person to person interview.

The internet forum could be a great place to detect problem areas and new ideas. There is nothing more productive than employees contributing their own experiences on the job.

Karrie

Thanks!!!!

geek Curio

 

[Ariadne]

How could someone be so stupid as to use their real name/give out personal details so they could be IDed in an internet forum?
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Ok-I missed the part about engineer.

Well now that's the funny thing. She didn't. She actually got caught because the police couldn't solve the case, so as part of their investigation, they gathered the IP addresses of people commenting on the forum.. Only in the US, of course ... something about Patriot Act. The IP led to her place of work and the internal network led to her computer.

If I had a business operating for profit, I would also ask employees for their input via a special forum set up for company improvement, expansion, deletion of obsolete procedures, etc.

A meeting place for employees seeking to improve their own area of expertise can give management some huge input which would take forever to collect in person to person interview.

The internet forum could be a great place to detect problem areas and new ideas. There is nothing more productive than employees contributing their own experiences on the job.

Karrie

Thanks!!!!

geek Curio

One big loophole in blocked websites is Facebook. Personal email sites, like Hotmail, and may social networking sites, are blocked in bigger companies, but because many legitimate organizations have Facebook pages to announce ongoing events and developments, that site is not blocked.

 

[JLM]

If you were an employer, how much internet surfing would you tolerate?

Would you put up with hourly wage workers surfing the net? Salaried workers?

How many hours a day of surfing would you see as a red flag that someone's position needs to be cut or at least limited?

Why would a guy put up with any other than at lunch or coffee breaks? I know too much of that sh*t goes on, part of the reason for exorbitant prices we pay. It's just a F*** the dog society. :lol:

 

[karrie]

One big loophole in blocked websites is Facebook. Personal email sites, like Hotmail, and may social networking sites, are blocked in bigger companies, but because many legitimate organizations have Facebook pages to announce ongoing events and developments, that site is not blocked.

My hubby's company is not on facebook, but, they still re-opened access to facebook throughout their company. I'm not sure what their reasons were, but, they felt it was best to give people that access.

 

[Ariadne]

It's because all sorts of organizations, like this UNESCO | Facebook are on facebook ... which is a work resource for some people.

 

[Goober]

When evaluation time rolls around, were the objectives met? All employees should have yearly objectives. How to make the business better, how to ensure compliance with regulations, there's a number of things that are on my objectives list. Our Director was very explicit, he said as long as objectives are met, he didn't care if we go out and have a picnic, and I think that's sound.

You know, one of the best managed companies in the world, Google, has a culture where giving the employees what they need to do a good job pays off in the long run. Having overbearing management which looks over the shoulder of employees like a slave task master isn't high on that list, and for good reason. Happy employees are more productive.

So, for my money, if the projects are being completed, and the objectives are being met, then I would be happy. If I noticed lots of free time that employees had, then I would get more aggressive with the timelines.

Boundaries in any workplace are critical and have to be clear and FAIR - I have seen many places where one gets away with being frequently late for work and other are chewed out for it even when it rarely happens - result - Poor Morale and no trust in the supervisor as being fair. - If they are all aware and whatever you do within reason works - then great - also paid time off - Letting someone leave early on a Friday or a long weekend pays off in big dividends - Mostly - Not always.

 

[karrie]

It's because all sorts of organizations, like this UNESCO | Facebook are on facebook ... which is a work resource for some people.

I don't think the oil patch has really moved to facebook yet. lol.

 

[Ariadne]

I don't think the oil patch has really moved to facebook yet. lol.

They fund organizations like UNESCO ... environment, education, culture.

 

[shadowshiv]

Why, what have you heard?! It's all lies!

 

[JLM]

Boundaries in any workplace are critical and have to be clear and FAIR - I have seen many places where one gets away with being frequently late for work and other are chewed out for it even when it rarely happens - result - Poor Morale and no trust in the supervisor as being fair. - If they are all aware and whatever you do within reason works - then great - also paid time off - Letting someone leave early on a Friday or a long weekend pays off in big dividends - Mostly - Not always.

Good workers are the exception in the workplace these days, not the rule. You get a few who show up for work 10 minutes early every day and aren't lined up at the door 5 minutes before quitting time. Those guys deserve to be let off early for holidays or a long weekend.