Sacked for excessive internet use !!

scheming_gypsy

Strider590 wrote: »

I'm at work right now, I'm waiting for a form to open on a 300+mb database, there's nothing I can do but wait. I keep a browser window open and flick back to it between tasks, it resets my focus, in just the same way as one might gaze out of a window for a few seconds.

it does indeed. I spend all day online on this contract but i close more jobs than the others and i get given more jobs because they know i'll close them. My stats are always better than the rest of the department and they never want my contract to end; when it does they try and get me back as soon as finance let them have money.
Using the internet doesn't stop you working.. not working stops you working

ILW

Sachin wrote: »

All i put on the time sheet is the number of hours i worked on a particulary project during the day .

For example

Alpha Project - 6 hours
John Gilmour Project - 2 hours

That is all that is put on the timesheet nil else .

Others work on these projects too do the same thing . Then the company can bill the company approprately.

If you had not been shopping on the net, is it possible you could have got the job done half hour quicker?

scheming_gypsy

How many of the people replying are using the internet in work to reply?
and out of the ones who aren't in work; how many have never been in an office environment where they have internet access?

there seems to be a lot of people who think that you should never be allowed near the internet unless it's your own time.

suicidebob

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

How many of the people replying are using the internet in work to reply?
and out of the ones who aren't in work; how many have never been in an office environment where they have internet access?

there seems to be a lot of people who think that you should never be allowed near the internet unless it's your own time.

Again, it's a lot of people saying what they think they should be saying, rather than using their brain first.

Probably the answers you get from Daily Mail readers. Personality-free zombies who work like robots 8-hours a day.

ILW

suicidebob wrote: »

Again, it's a lot of people saying what they think they should be saying, rather than using their brain first.

Probably the answers you get from Daily Mail readers. Personality-free zombies who work like robots 8-hours a day.

Surely that is down tio the employer who is paying for your time. If they are OK with paying you for doing your shopping etc then fine. If not then it is their decision.

If I was paying a builder an hourly rate to do a job for me and found he was sitting reading the paper I would not be too pleased.

dickydonkin

suicidebob wrote: »

Again, it's a lot of people saying what they think they should be saying, rather than using their brain first.

Probably the answers you get from Daily Mail readers. Personality-free zombies who work like robots 8-hours a day.

Not really.

Where I used to work, internet time (and in particular) emails were monitored via the server by an arguably over zealous Director - although I could see his point as the company were really struggling and we all needed to pull together to save the business.

I was allowed to use the web however for job related issues.

I believe I was using my brain first because I did not wish to be disciplined, I did a good 8 hours + work per day and unbelievably managed it without the compulsion to go on Facebook (not that I am registered anyway)......oh, and I like to think I have a personality as well!

This thread compounds my belief that many people believe they are doing nothing wrong when accessing the internet for personal use during work time.

Unfortunately, a search on these boards will prove otherwise and show where people have been disciplined or even lost their jobs because of unauthorised internet use at work - Facebook being the main culprit.

SarEl

I am afraid that if there is any case at all here, and I am not convinced there is, it would be very weak, and, almost certainly likely to end in a Polkey deduction (contribution to your own dismissal = reduced award, and that can be nothing!). If you put down on a timesheet that you worked 6 hours on one contract and 2 hours on another, then that equals 8 hours work, and whatever happens they have you bang to rights that you did not work 8 hours. And some of the comments about "everyone knows you can get sacked for this" are going to be exactly what a tribunal will think too - there have been too many high-profile cases of people being sacked for being on the internet when they should have been working to claim ignorance. There are elements in your favour based on your account - the lack of any specific times on sites (although if you were on enough of them then that would be of minimal help) and the lack of a policy. But frankly, it isn't a great prospect.

suicidebob

dickydonkin wrote: »

I did a good 8 hours + work per day

Of course you did :T

suicidebob

ILW wrote: »

Surely that is down tio the employer who is paying for your time. If they are OK with paying you for doing your shopping etc then fine. If not then it is their decision.

If I was paying a builder an hourly rate to do a job for me and found he was sitting reading the paper I would not be too pleased.

I've worked with plenty of people who are stressed, apparently work long hours. These people generally tell me this when they're just leaving the kitchen with their 20th coffee of the day (they pass my desk on the way).

I guess it's easier to clamp down on a 20 year old using the internet than a bunch of 50 year olds who do nothing but drink coffee and talk nonsense all day

cinderfella

It is not right using the internet during work time for personal use. During breaks it should be okay. Just as Employers expect staff to be reasonable, I also expect my Employer to be reasonable.
The internet nowadays is vital in order to perform at work properly - professional research on work topics. I experienced employers who encouraged use (in my case of tax / vat info) on the Internet. I then found myself working for a guy who had connected all other staff to the net, but alas not me. I was not worried because I had already given notice when I found out.
So let that be a warning to Employers - treat your staff right or lose them. Mind you, employees are never irreplaceable, but theres is also more to life than working for a wally.:beer: