It sounds like you got a friendly warning not to goof off too much at work. Anything you do at work reflects back upon the company, so if they would prefer you don't look at gun or shooting related sites that's what you've got to do if you want to keep getting a pay check.

You are very fortunate they let you use internet access for personal use at all. Most companies prohibit it, but choose to turn a blind eye most of the time... until they want to get rid of you. Then you'll be confronted with a stack of printouts documenting every second of your on the job internet usage along with a copy of the company's Internet Usage Policy that you've likely signed when you were hired. Then they can fire you "with cause" which can effect your access to unemployment benefits as well as future employment.

Well, their reasons may be goofy, but as Kev said, it's their time.

Ah crap...that means I better get back to work...........

lol there's no "goofing off" going on here guys. like my original post says, my company does in fact allow allow net surfing. they never told me it was interfering with my work either, just that they didn't like the gun sites that i was going to.

just use a proxy site so they can't tell what web sites you have been going to....

I would avoid those sites while your @ work.Im thankful to have a job now.Can you imagine explaining to another company(Fututre interview) why you were fired from there?They here that and goodbye to your shot @ that job.Its unfair but thats the way it is!

Originally Posted by dances with guns

at work today, my HR department called me into their office....

... and advised me that in monitoring my internet surfing ...

... it makes people nervous...

Yeah, I know what you mean and understand how you feel. keep in mind, most people who are employees (not contract or union), are "at will". This means an employer can fire you for no reason and you can quit for no reason. If you are fired "for cause", that is something that is hard to clean up.

I (like Kev), think you are pretty lucky to be able to surf at work. I would watch the content of your surfing habits at work in the same way you watch what you say and write. There is no privacy expected for any at-work activity. They look at it this way: You are using their equipment, their bandwidth, and their time. they can read your email, look at your files, whatever....

The company I work for has pretty sophisticated firewalls and internet filters We cannot have access to broad categories of sites; guns; pornography, personal networking; file sharing; streaming media; proxy sites and many others... even if it were required as part of doing something for our customers, they would not be able to justify the IT support to open access selectively. They even meter access to sites so that you can only use 1/2 hr a day on personal surfing! (I still don't know what that is or what trips the meter...)

What I understand from my experience, is that these filters and logs are in place all the time. They only get looked at when someone complains or as part of a random check.

If they didn't come across you in a random check, then someone complained. Perhaps a co-worker was irritated that you were surfing in general, or was somehow intimidated that they saw a gun site on your screen. (people are weird and make crazy assumptions)

In either case, they have the right to limit your access any way they see fit when you are using their equipment or their time.... IMHO- you would be well served to limit the browsing in general and especially stay away from the proxy sites... its just a can of worms you dont need to open.

Think of it this way- you got a friendly warning... (I am sure it didn't feel that way with "Mr. Security" talking with you.)
Remember, Dilbert, the Office or Better of Ted, wouldn't be so funny without real HR storiesl!!!
-jc

Originally Posted by jc27310

Yeah, I know what you mean and understand how you feel. keep in mind, most people who are employees (not contract or union), are "at will". This means an employer can fire you for no reason and you can quit for no reason. If you are fired "for cause", that is something that is hard to clean up.

I (like Kev), think you are pretty lucky to be able to surf at work. I would watch the content of your surfing habits at work in the same way you watch what you say and write. There is no privacy expected for any at-work activity. They look at it this way: You are using their equipment, their bandwidth, and their time. they can read your email, look at your files, whatever....

The company I work for has pretty sophisticated firewalls and internet filters We cannot have access to broad categories of sites; guns; pornography, personal networking; file sharing; streaming media; proxy sites and many others... even if it were required as part of doing something for our customers, they would not be able to justify the IT support to open access selectively. They even meter access to sites so that you can only use 1/2 hr a day on personal surfing! (I still don't know what that is or what trips the meter...)

What I understand from my experience, is that these filters and logs are in place all the time. They only get looked at when someone complains or as part of a random check.

If they didn't come across you in a random check, then someone complained. Perhaps a co-worker was irritated that you were surfing in general, or was somehow intimidated that they saw a gun site on your screen. (people are weird and make crazy assumptions)

In either case, they have the right to limit your access any way they see fit when you are using their equipment or their time.... IMHO- you would be well served to limit the browsing in general and especially stay away from the proxy sites... its just a can of worms you dont need to open.

Think of it this way- you got a friendly warning... (I am sure it didn't feel that way with "Mr. Security" talking with you.)
Remember, Dilbert, the Office or Better of Ted, wouldn't be so funny without real HR storiesl!!!
-jc

thanx for your reply. yeah i don't even know what proxy websites are lol. i'll just stay off gun sites altogether at work.

as far as i know, no one complained about it, it was just the security monitoring net surfing and noticed i was on gun sites.

it's funny, when "Mr. security" asked me if i liked working there-i said no. i was just being honest. my job sux, and my employers are complete tools.

Unfortunately Stupid exists in all parts of the world and all places of employment. Some of it must be tolerated till you reach the point in life where you can tell them what to do with their opinions etc.

It sounds like you still need to be tolerant of stupidity.

Stay safe and hang on to your job. At least till a better one comes along.

still on paid administrative leave while they "investigate" me. lol


my friends are all telling me to call the NRA, and i think i will tomorrow.

I think you need to get a good pro-gun lawyer pronto...that isn't sounding good.

KG

I think you need to get your resume in order and line up some personal and professional references.

i called the NRA today, and they gave me contact info on a local attorney.

i am also looking for work elsewhere as well.

still haven't heard back from my employer yet, as far as i know i'm still on admin leave with pay.

i'll let you guys know as soon as i hear something.

Even if this turns out well, I'd still look for a new job. The minute they put me on leave to investigate me would signal the end of all trust. Looking over your shoulder, worrying that you might say or do something that will get you fired this time, is no way to live.

In most cases the employer must provide warings in writting, and show a history of problems before someone can be let go, unless it is gross misconduct. It is far more dificult to terminate someone now for misconduct, lack of work is easier.

If the surfing was during luch, before or after hours, you are in a better postion, if it was during work hours and there is a lot of time surfing, they may have good cause. Best not to do so on the company computers.

I do agree looking for another job would be prudent. Good luck and sorry to herar about it.

i dont think telling them you dont like your jobed helped either. i guess if you cared about your job at all u wouldnt have said that tho

Originally Posted by Todd

Even if this turns out well, I'd still look for a new job. The minute they put me on leave to investigate me would signal the end of all trust. Looking over your shoulder, worrying that you might say or do something that will get you fired this time, is no way to live.

yep, i agree 100%.

Originally Posted by bent21606

i dont think telling them you dont like your jobed helped either. i guess if you cared about your job at all u wouldnt have said that tho

well i don't like that job lol. i'm not gonna lie about it, their not paying me to be happy there, their paying me to do my job, which i did.

trust me, they don't give a crap if any of their workers are happy with their jobs or not.

they only asked me that because they were insinuating that i'm some kind of nutcase only because i like guns.

just got a letter in the mail a couple days ago from my employer- i got canned.

i'm going to contact that NRA lawyer on monday see what he has to say. not expecting he an do anything, guess it couldn't hurt to try.

Interesting thread. I don't know that I anything I can add that has not already been said but I am really curious to see how this plays out.

Originally Posted by dances with guns

just got a letter in the mail a couple days ago from my employer- i got canned.

A letter? Not even a phone call from your supervisor? Damn, that is one cold employer. Sounds like this may be a blessing in disguise.

Originally Posted by Todd

A letter? Not even a phone call from your supervisor? Damn, that is one cold employer. Sounds like this may be a blessing in disguise.

you're right, they were not nice people to work for at all.

Originally Posted by dances with guns

just got a letter in the mail a couple days ago from my employer- i got canned.

I'm curious as to the reason for the termination. What did they say in the letter justified the action?

Originally Posted by tekhead1219

I'm curious as to the reason for the termination. What did they say in the letter justified the action?

the letter was vague, just "due to your conduct" you're being terminated.