Your Personal Computer can be a job ender. As you read this article you should be asking yourself : Is the policy of my office allow me to be browsing online or reading story?
The restrictions between computer use at work and at home are not very clear to so many employees. People do a lot of things online such as communication, watch Television, shopping and get news but there should be limit on where this is done. It is very important for all employees to understand what their employer's policies are when it comes to email and internet usage. This is because nowadays employees are losing their jobs following computer-based related circumstances.
1. Becareful about what you Blog.
There is a term for being fired because of a blog, it is known as "dooced". Dooced.com founder Heather Armstrong writes on her site that she lost her job a year after beginning the blog for writing entries that involved colleagues. This is her word to her site visitors" Be ye not so stupid" never write about work on the internet unless your boss know and approve your article about your work on the internet.
2. Playing Away
Playing games on the PC such as Solitaire is one of the ways of whiling away hours unknowingly and this act is not good for the workplace. A US based economist Richard Bayer once said that employees who use a company computer for personal matters on company time whether playing games or checking their mails are essentially stealing from their employer.
3. Looking At Pictures
Downloading, uploading or viewing of inappropriate pictures or offensive contents all amounting to misuse of the internet. According to a recent study by the American Management Association and the ePolicy Institute nearly one-third of bosses have fired workers based on this. Remember, the computer system belongs to the company and courts have consistently nowadays on the side of the employers when it comes to computer-related termination.
4. Posting Your Picture
Recently, social networking may be gaining an air formality. Employers are beginning to monitor social networking sites, not only do companies fear employees posting proprietary information, but they don't want to find photos of the boss dancing on the table drunk at the holiday party. Opinions posted that is contrary to the employer's values can also get employees into trouble.
5. Writing R-rated emails
Many employers going to about quarter in the US have sent an employee packing for e-mail related offenses. When you write, put it behind your mind that someone inside your establishment is reading it. As most of establishment about 43% that monitor email do it automatically while about 40% do it manually by reading and reviewing it by human beings.
Conclusion
A word they say is enough for a wise don't jeopardize your career due to some unpopular acts as highlighted above. Study the policy of your establishment as regards to the use of internet and you will be guided on what is expected of you.
Olufemi
Nigeria
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| Author: Nitin 15 Apr 2008 | Member Level: Platinum Points : 4 |
Hi Olufemi,
Good Suggestion for not being fired by using Internet.
However, I would like to highlight Two most important points when you will be fired for using the internet at office.
1) Viewing, download pornographic pictures and movies.
2) Passing on email chain which contain vital information about your company which is confidential.
Regards,
Nitin
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| Author: Olufemi 16 Apr 2008 | Member Level: Diamond Points : 2 |
They are all embedded in my presentation but thanks for your elaboration for those that may not grab it the way I presented it.
Thanks so much Nitin,
Olufemi
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| Author: Varun Sood 21 Sep 2008 | Member Level: Bronze Points : 2 |
Hi all,
I recently lost my job because i mentioned in my orkut profile the following:
Job Description: Cut...Copy...Paste
Designation: F**king Servants of the Whites
Company Web Page: www.lickmyass.com
However, nowhere did i mention the company's name or the name of any of its employees, processes, any thing which directly points to the fact that i am referring to the company. Now the company told me that they have a zero-tolerance policy towards acts that disparage the company. But i do'nt understand that how can they point out definitely whether i am referring to them or to someone else???? tell me if i can take any legal route to get my job back???
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| Author: Olufemi 22 Sep 2008 | Member Level: Diamond Points : 2 |
I will say yes if you are very sure what you posted has nothing to do with the company but if you are not sure I will suggest you consult a legal practitioner in India to advise you appropriately.
But this has been a good lesson or experience to you. You will be in the right position to help others not to fall into the same trap.
Olufemi
Nigeria
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| Author: Varun Sood 22 Sep 2008 | Member Level: Bronze Points : 2 |
Tell me one thing more... what should i write in my resume now??? as in should i mention that i was working with this company and was fired or should i not mention about this incident at all and start my job search as a fresher???? Does my not telling my previous employment amount to concealing the info from the company and would i be liable to action if anybody gets to know that i was fired in my previous employment??
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| Author: Olufemi 24 Sep 2008 | Member Level: Diamond Points : 2 |
Everything depends on you, but I will advise you to start afresh because you have not been tested by your new employer to know that you are not what your former employer accused of. Therefore you need to keep mute about the previous employment and try to impress your new employer and even if they got to know about the former one they would have seem you from another dimension. The reason I said you should not tell them is because if you do, it might caused you your new employment in organizations where you are not known. That is why I said in my last post that if you are sure and if this can be proved beyond reasonable doubt in a labour law court then there is no cause for alarm. They will pay you damages and you will be free of their termination but it will just be as if you voluntarily resigned which is not a crime.
If you have built a good career in your former employment that you want to be referring to it them you will need a litigation step against the company that have wrongly & unlawfully ejected you.
Olufemi
Nigeria
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