Sacked for excessive internet use !!

Sachin

I have recently been dismissed by my employer for allegedly overusing the internet for non work related activities .

He states that my misuse is gross misconduct and also means that i have falsfyied timesheets as he states that if im on the net how can i be working .

I been with the company for 7 years . Work never been questioned and have never been called up.

There is no office policy on the internet and everyone in the office uses it . i have used the internet no doubt and there is evidence to that regard but surely i should get a warning and not gross misscondcut and dissmissed . My work is always complted and of a good standard but they are not looking at my work .

Can i appeal to tribunal for unfair dissmissal . Surely the descion is harsh and i should have at least got a warning .

Torry_Quine

My opinion is that when at work you should not be accessing the internet for personal use, the same as for making personal phone-calls. However it seems harsh to go for dismissal if there have been no previous disciplinary problems.

PaddyPaws

Does the company have an internet usage policy? my last employer were ok with some personal use (but would have clamped down if people were taking the mick), but they can monitor if it's impacting on the work or if usage is impacting the network

Sachin

No internet policy . Never given an employment contract or job particulars or pointed in the direction of polices .

And never any issue with work . Feel they are trying perhaps to use this to get rid of me . Ive 7 years of no issues at work .

Sachin

I have used teh net a fair bit to be honest . But then should i not get a warning first . Straight to dissmissal . No dodgy sites or anything . just usual shopping , sports etc,

Torry_Quine

You are admitting to stealing time from your employer on more than just occasional use. Did it never cross your mind that it was inappropriate?

SarEl

I have to agree - if it was during working time (not personal use during legitimate breaks) then would you have nipped to Asda and done the weekly shop during working hours? Or watched the cricket on the TV? No you wouldn't because you would have known you would be sacked for it. Same thing, just different location. It is falsification of your timesheets, you were caught and it is reasonable for the employer to consdier this gross misconduct - no different from your being down at Asda instead of working.

FATBALLZ

SarEl wrote: »

I have to agree - if it was during working time (not personal use during legitimate breaks) then would you have nipped to Asda and done the weekly shop during working hours? Or watched the cricket on the TV? No you wouldn't because you would have known you would be sacked for it. Same thing, just different location. It is falsification of your timesheets, you were caught and it is reasonable for the employer to consdier this gross misconduct - no different from your being down at Asda instead of working.

It isn't equivalent to leaving the office and going to asda, it's more the equivalent to chatting to colleagues about non work related stuff (as we all do), as you're still in the office, available if you're needed for something, but not working right that moment.

None of the places I've worked have been particularly arsed if people use the internet to look at non-work sites, although having never done it what I would say was 'excessively', I don't know if there would have been consequences for 'overuse'.

flashg67

Bit harsh SarEl, IMO, no contract, no official policy & no warnings and apparently others do the same - sounds like grounds for unfair dismissal to me. OP are you in a union or have you contacted the CAB? I'd be asking for evidence of your time online compared to others if it's just you they've singled out?

Torry_Quine

FATBALLZ wrote: »

It isn't equivalent to leaving the office and going to office, it's more the equivalent to chatting to colleagues about non work related stuff (as we all do), as you're still in the office, available if you're needed for something, but not working right that moment.

None of the places I've worked have been particularly arsed if people use the internet to look at non-work sites, although having never done it what I would say was 'excessively', I don't know if there would have been consequences for 'overuse'.

Maybe I'm wrong but talking to colleagues about non work related issues is what breaks are for.

SarEl

flashg67 wrote: »

Bit harsh SarEl, IMO, no contract, no official policy & no warnings and apparently others do the same - sounds like grounds for unfair dismissal to me. OP are you in a union or have you contacted the CAB? I'd be asking for evidence of your time online compared to others if it's just you they've singled out?

An internet policy applies to permissible use of the internet (so whether you are allowed to use it on breaks, possibly some limited use of time during working time) - but the employer went for solid ground - falsification of timesheets because OP was supposed to be working and wasn't. And prove that anyone else does it. No right to access to records on other staff - OP's word against the employers. Going shopping on the internet is exactly the same as nipping to Asda's - you are paid to work and not to go shopping.