Help... left my terminal unlocked at work...

aj2703

If i were the OP i wouldn't be too worried. As the OP states they have permission to send personal e-mails while at work. She has also stated that the e-mails about the collegue did not mention her name or say anything that could be seen as bullying. All she said was that she reckons the woman has too much time off sick etc. My advice to the op would be to admit to HR that maybe you should have kept the comment to yourself or if you had a concern that the collegue was not pulling thier weight so to speak you should have informed them. I would also however make a big point with HR that the collegue must have deliberately gone through your e-mails WITHOUT your permission. Be very clear in stating that you only gave her permission to log you off your PC. I take it at the time you left the terminal and she took over that you e-mail program was not open..?. If that is the case she must have opened it herself and at that point was using your account without authorisation and probably breaking company policy on DATA Protection and accessing collegues accounts.

Pete111

Anihilator wrote: »

1824 personal emails over what period :rolleyes:
And doing it by email and not to their face or not using their name is no defence if its obvious who you were referring too. And obviously your colleague views it as bullying. I do too.

Be apologetic and hope for the best. Dismissal imo could still be justified.[/QUOTE]


Then you have little concept of employment law or what constitues fair and reasonable use of employee sanctions

If the Op is dismissed in effect for writing 2 emails some time ago to a colleague that contain a small moan about another colleague for taking excessive time off (and assuming what she has posted previously is all true) then this is unlikley to be deemed gross misconduct on any reasonable level. As many here may know, the degree of 'reasonableness' shown by and enployer/employee is a key factor in most ET decisions

If dismissed, the OP would have strong grounds for an appeal and could even end up taking her employer to tribunal for unfair dismissal.

However, I very much doubt she will get more than a warning at worst. Her colleague will probably get her comeuppance!

Do let us know how it goes OP!

bonty44

Just think about what other things she could have done while she was at your PC - I'd check to see if any other files were updated on the date in question, or if any emails were sent (and possible deleted).

It could have been worse - I once resigned from my job when I left my terminal unlocked! Luckily my boss saw the funny side, especially when he found out the email was actually written by a manager from another office who happened to be visiting and saw my PC unlocked.

timmmers

liney wrote: »

Bully and Harrassment of the "noseyparker" by use of email. More andmore of this type of thing is happening. Employees are being dismissed for slagging of their collegues on Facebook, for example.

Inapropriate use of Email (IT policy)

Here's a thing...Facebook bullying is PUBLIC, emails between 2 people are PRIVATE. IF the OP CCd them to everyone that would be bullying...ASSUMING the comments weren't accurate. Two people discussing you without you even being aware of it in private is nothing like bullying. How can you be upset by something you aren't aware of lol .

The nosey one LIED about logging off.
The nosey one wasn't working while she was snooping...unless this is a private detective agency ?
I have seen no facts here BTW that this was a company email address so it could be Hotmail or Gmail. It could also have login details for Ebay or other sites like Paypal, which the sneak would have had access to.
It's simply not legal to read other people's private emails, full stop.
Given the company allowing workers to use email in their time at work...and the fact that OP did only that, what possible reason is there for any disip here ?

I wonder what would have happened if the sneak had done this to their bosses email account?

I wouldn't apologise, you have a right to dislike and discuss people like this in private with colleages..and it looks like this lying snooper earns her reputation.

Good luck.

t

pippitypip_2

bonty44 wrote: »

It could have been worse - I once resigned from my job when I left my terminal unlocked! Luckily my boss saw the funny side, especially when he found out the email was actually written by a manager from another office who happened to be visiting and saw my PC unlocked.

:eek::eek::eek::eek:

Thank goodness your boss saw the funny side, I hope the manager knew you well to take the mickey like that?!!!

pipptyip

Kimitatsu

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Please can we keep any bickering to a minimum - you can PM each other if needs be

BitterAndTwisted

bonty44 wrote: »

It could have been worse - I once resigned from my job when I left my terminal unlocked! Luckily my boss saw the funny side, especially when he found out the email was actually written by a manager from another office who happened to be visiting and saw my PC unlocked.

Eh, I did exactly the same once to an employee who used the PC in reception and was constantly reminded to either log-off or lock the system when away from the desk. This was a system which could have been used by any of the employees or even by a client. Happily, the MD realised immediately that the writing style was not the sender's as all of the words were spelled correctly and in the right order as well. Still, he learned his lesson

richworcs

pippitypip wrote: »

Couldn't agree more - good advice



Though sorry I couldn't agree less to this bit - if you want a good gossip, get the hell outta the work place full stop.

Listen to gossip fine, but commenting/ participating will only bite you on the !!! eventually! This way you get to know everything going on and be known around the office as someone neutral/ trustworthy rather than a gossip.

pippitypip

I have to say, I agree with almost everything you've said Pippitypip.... but for the record.... No one trusts a fence sitter! ;-)

scooterchick

Has anyone considered that the OP is actually the victim of bullying and harassment in this case? Taken advantage of whilst ill by a sneaky scheming colleague, who then finds the tiniest piece of circumstancial evidence (which doesn't even mention her by name) to take to the boss with the sole intention of causing trouble for the OP?

Dispicable behaviour if you ask me. OP's only crime is stupidity. TEAM OP.

pippitypip_2

richworcs wrote: »

I have to say, I agree with almost everything you've said Pippitypip.... but for the record.... No one trusts a fence sitter! ;-)

As it goes though I have found it works. I tend to nod every now and again so people treat me as a sympathetic ear. I still get all the "OMG did you hear about so and so" but don't repeat or make anything like a comment. I think it has the weird effect of being told everything going on anywhere in my office! lol

pippitypip