Getting hauled over the coals tommorrow

**Andy** · 28th July 2005, 20:09

For internet abuse at work, hence why i havent been on during the day lately.

I work as an agency worker for a local authourity and i got summoned to the personnel manager on tuesday. She presented me with a CD which has logged every site ive been on for the past 14 months.

I have an 'informal' meeting with her, my director and someone from internal Audit tommorrow so i can confirm that log is accurate and expalin why ive been surfing when i shouldnt have.

The problem is, while the log shows the odd sites ove been on, mainly vvoc, internet banking, a few car buying sites and here, it also shows a massive amount of sites ive never heard of with either just an ip address or a foriegn title. Im presuming these are from cookies in pop ups etc? It also lists me as having 48minutes of adult rated site usage too, despite our firewall throwing back anything with even a hint of raunch, so again, i assume pop ups?

Theres 50 people in total over our department being spoken too, and i expect the permenent staff will just get a warning. Im not sure if they will just boot me out, being agency. I know they havent spoken to my head of department about it, as im sure he wouldnt want me to go, as he's only just managed to get staff levels up to where he wants them. (my line manger also said that depsite me going on the net, i was still one of the most efficent guys in the office lol).

Ive already rang my agency who siad they could have me a choice of new jobs within the same day if it came to it, so im not going to take any sh!t from them. I'll admit it, (partly) apologise and leave it to them to do the rest of the talking.

**Bainie** · 28th July 2005, 20:12

Bummer, I think I will take it as a warning as well, I spend quite a bit of time here when at work, I know it is all logged so better take heed of your situation. Hope it all goes OK mate ...

**Andy** · 28th July 2005, 20:14

im not worried about getting another job, as my job area is heaving at the minute. I also found out that salaries for perm staff have risen quite a bit since i was last permenant lol.

Its just i like working there, good bunch of guys, 20 mins from home etc and no stress.

**daznsaz** · 28th July 2005, 20:19

proberly talking rubbish but, have you signed a computer policy i.e rules and so on. If not they might not be able to do a lot.

**gizmo10119** · 28th July 2005, 20:26

bummer mate, it was only yesterday i had to explain a £124 mobile phone bill to my director!

**AJA** · 28th July 2005, 20:33

Originally Posted by daznsaz

proberly talking rubbish but, have you signed a computer policy i.e rules and so on. If not they might not be able to do a lot.

Fair comment, if you really want to push it.

It's incredibly hard to prove that someone has purposely clicked on a certain site, as most are pop-ups as you said. It sounds like the company you are working for need to upgrade the software on the exchange and proxy server to stop these pop-ups. If you really want to rub their faces in it, ask them what version of pop-up blocker they're using. Also state to them that most of the time vectra-c.com was minimised, so you didn't think it was going to be an issue and didn't affect your productivity.

All in all it's very hard to prove internet abuse, I know because I've been asked to carry out inspections of peoples PC's to try and find any abuse. If you've never been shown any 'Company Internet Policy' rules, plead ignorance.

**bruceybonus** · 28th July 2005, 23:04

have you signed an internet use policy document, if not, they haven't got a leg to stand on.

**Ste** · 28th July 2005, 23:51

Disagree with the last statement, mainly because you are there to work (ie the contract agreed) and not spend all day on internet. They could get you on hours actually worked (or assessed as 'worked')

Having said that, I can see your point totally, if you are reputed to be of high efficiency.
I would hands up to some, take reservations on others, ask for proof that you opened these sites (and were not popups), ask if the proof exists that YOU viewed these sites (do others have access to your computer, at any times when you're not at your desk?), if the system is networked (I assume it is) how can they capture the sites 'visited' by you? Is this possible, accurately?

Then, as you say, ask for a copy of the internet usage policy (for your future guidance) and sit back and let them blow off steam. Say you won't contravene the rules 'again' and go back to work.

Job done, or clear you desk. - joking.
Make sure you're being treated the same as the other 50 or so, and ask why not if you're treated differently. Question a warning, verbal or written, if the others are not getting the same.

**cb500t** · 29th July 2005, 07:44

I've worked in local Govt for years,if you were guilty of viewing any porn sites etc,you are escorted to the door and employment terminated virtually instantly.....sounds like merely a wrist slap example,so everyone hears about it,just to keep the gaffers on top of the employees........

**AJA** · 29th July 2005, 07:52

I know some employers publish their 'Employees Handbook' on their intranet and encourage all their employees to print it off and read it. This is their way of covering their rears when it kicks off.