Let's See, the Employer Bought the Computer..

I have been provided a laptop by the company and it is with me always. I attach top priority for my company work and will not treat it as mine if I have to do some company work. But when there is no company work pending, I may be doing something other than that and my own internet activities. Every company understands that it is not possible to restrict it that way and so, I feel it's OK

This is so true! I have had to fire people for inappropriate use of their computer. They have a mandatory course to take when hired, then they sign a form, then we re-inforce it every month through emails and posts to our wiki. Why do tey still do it?

He who pays the bills calls the shots. You have no reasonable expectation of privacy on work owned equipment, or during work hours. Now if I access the internet from my own equipment using a data card and my own laptop, during lunch hour, that is different. Oh, and do not post a bunch of garbage to social groups and then act surprised when your boss says you are fired or otherwise disciplined for behavior there. Or do not be surprised if you cannot get a job. Be thankful and respectful of having an opportunity to work.

Those workers that indulge in private use of their computers, sit in comfy, warm, offices a molycodling environment and the time they waste buts my costs up for the services I buy from them. Yet it is often these people that complain that their honest tradesman charges a reasonable amount for pandering to their lack of self-reliance. Pay office workers by the hour, record the actual time they spend working, charge them for any time they spend playing on their computers. How many firms have 3 managers, a team of salespersons and secretaries all carried on the back of a few men doing the substantial work all the best urban

They don't have the right and in today's age its a common excuse used to cut heads when they want to thin out the workforce, so you have to be pretty foolish to use it for personal things. I always use my phone for email and texts that are personal at my old job I was fortunate enough they chipped in on the phone bill if I was out of town working but those days are gone now to.

I could not agree more. My employer does not mind if we surf the internet on breaks (we work split shifts and sometimes have an hour or two where we aren't working but there isn't always a point to going home) as long as no one else needs it for work-related use. I know that they do track everything we do, and that at any time my activities could be checked. I think an employer has every right to know what you are doing on company time--although of course they should give you the basic dignity of allowing you to go to the washroom when nature calls (not everyone is as regular as clockwork!) or allow you to eat regular small meals to keep your blood sugar from dropping (especially if you work in an office where eating isn't a problem. I understand why a surgeon can't be chowing down mid-surgery!!)

I'd have to agree with that! I think it would be wise to email folks on one's own computer or these days, phone and one's own internet connection and also one's own time, or if work is slow and one has time surf or place solitaire.. I wouldn't expect privacy on a work computer at work.

That is true a business computer is just that a business computer and not to be used for personal use to me beyond e-mail. Though I had a boss who lost his position because of what some other employees found on his computer that was inappropriate and I guess some other behaviors toward some of the employees.

I ranted about this here a couple of years ago but I called it stealing. Employees are stealing time from their employers, time they are renting out with the promise of productivity to the advantage of their employer. Computers at work are the employers' tools and employees use them for work, or are supposed to. They have no right to use them for personal reasons. What is so important that they can't wait till they get home or, if they don't have one at home, the library? Using your employer's computer for personal reasons is stealing just as if you took home office supplies or robbed the petty cash fund.