Sacked for excessive internet use !!

scheming_gypsy

Kel_1981 wrote: »

Always use private browsing. It's usually in 'tools' on most browsers.

that only deletes the history in the browser cache and not on the proxy server and web filter; which is where most companies get their information from.

Sachin

They havent said or showed me how long ive been on the internet just that ive clicked on various sites during the working day. ie showed me browsing history

Other people in the office use the net and admit to having it on in the background all day .

I still did my work at the same time and they have no evidence that i didnt do work at this time .

They did try to bully me into resigning twice . They refuted that in the grievance but didint dent that they were thinking of redundacies and this was discussed with me .

hkminca

About 14 years ago a company I worked for tried the same thing on me - excessive internet use. The union rep was great, got the case thrown out as my manager had effectively been spying on me and letting me continue to use the internet whilst building up his case - whereas he should have told me about it as soon as he became aware of it. This was considered harrassment against me. Someone else I knew got a case thrown out by saying they were addicted to the internet, and as such should receive the same level of help as an alcoholic or drug addict, which wouldn't mean they'd get sacked.
Incidentially this was in a call centre, and people even had to justify toilet breaks over 3 minutes long!

scheming_gypsy

Sachin wrote: »

They havent said or showed me how long ive been on the internet just that ive clicked on various sites during the working day. ie showed me browsing history

.

Which makes it sound as though they don't have any web filtering in place or a proxy server or anyway of actually measuring anybody's internet useage; and that'd make it pretty difficult for them to prove that anybody was abusing any internet policies that may or may not be in place.

thegirlintheattic

smileylondongal wrote: »

I completely agree with this. Unless you're undertaking a web based task or you're on a break of some kind, then this is always unacceptable, even if others are doing it.

Depends on your job. I used to do low-level customer service in a very quiet workplace. I could often go an hour without any customers. There was nothing else that could be done work wise and so the boss said internet use was fine, as long as when the customer came it immediately finished.

Similarly I also have done waking night shifts whilst doing care work. Nothing else for me to do but sit there, which would have led to sleeping, so my employer had no issues with internet on phones or reading.

You can't make such sweeping statements.

Sachin

I think i may have a Case for discrimination as i was told in the meeting that others use the internet and use it all day for music sports etc. they say i used it to shop etc and that is not the same . Im a woman

thegirlintheattic

Sachin wrote: »

I think i may have a Case for discrimination as i was told in the meeting that others use the internet and use it all day for music sports etc. they say i used it to shop etc and that is not the same . Im a woman

Please OP do not throw sex discrimination around lightly, it does happen but does not seem to be the case here.

From what you have said it looks like they want you out on the cheap, hence resigning not redundancy. You yourself have said work is drying up and you were the last in. When you refused they have obviously looked at if there is anything they can use to dismiss you rather than pay redundancy and it seems like they have found this internet thing as a way.

I'm not saying it is right thing but there is nothing you have said to suggest sexual discrimination.

If your in a union or have access to legal services, I would get them on your case now.

getmore4less

They told you you were on the hit list, you were to be first out and you kept using the internet.

Lifes_Grand_Plan

OP, people on here cannot help you, only give opinions. You need to either speak to your union rep if you are in a union, or get legal advice.

If you have a home insurance policy for example with legal cover added then this should be free.

Please keep us updated on what happens.

getmore4less

LadyMissA wrote: »

QUOTE=Sachin;45591212]They have produced a folder of printeed sheets of all the sited i have visited using google chrome. They have not looked at the amount of work i have done on these days which proves i havent falsifiied time sheets .

They have no internet policy but are now getting everyone to state their internet usage and what they understand is fair usage.


Incedintally they intially asked me to resign a month ago as they said work was drying up. if i refused i would be made reduanant and not be given a good reference . then a few weeks later they brought this on me .

so you have it in writing they asked you to resign? They can't threaten you no matter what you have done. And it is against the law to give a bad reference you would have prob just got one.

I think they have it in for you so unless you want to take it further you need to put it down to experience and get on and find another job.[/QUOTE]

AS long as it's factual they can say what they like