Can i sack someone for excessive internet usage

yvonne13_2

Put some Internet usage policies in place and or get some sites blocked e.g social networking sites.

At work we are not allowed to use the internet under any circumstances except for work purposes.

Emma_N

Are you able to determine how long this person has spent on the internet? I think as others have said you need to get an internet policy in place ASAP.

If the excessive use continues after the policy is in place then you can start to take some form of action. Where I used to work we were only allowed to access the internet during our lunch breaks and a lot of sites such as facebook, eBay, hotmail, twitter were blocked.

At the end of the day you are being paid to work and not mess around on the internet.

yvonne13_2

How did you find out by chance about the excessive use? or did you just look at the history bar? Is there a possibility other people could have used the machine as well.

Hammyman

surreysaver wrote: »

At the end of the day, if your staff are able to access the internet with no restrictions or policy in place, then how can they assume they are not meant to use it?

Let me see....

Because you are at work in a job where someone is paying your wages?

I can only assume that these comments about it being OK to use the internet for personal use when you are supposed to be working are from the public sector.

To the OP:

Create an internet usage policy banning ALL non-business use during business hours. State that it is due to employees abusing the privilege so it is now being withdrawn. Implement it with immediate effect from next Monday, making non-compliance Gross Misconduct.

I wouldn't want people looking at the type of website most seem to do as it increases your risk of being exposed to malware and the resultant cost of cleanup.

carrieuk

Do you know what times the usage was?
I use our internet at work at lunch and could easily rack up quite a few hits looking on MSE and the like?

I echo what others have said, put a IT useage policy in place, get all employees to sign so they understand what is considered of them, see if you can block websites certain times of the day? and then look back the the usage and see if it has changed.

scooby088

surreysaver wrote: »

At the end of the day, if your staff are able to access the internet with no restrictions or policy in place, then how can they assume they are not meant to use it?

It's called common sense you are at work to earn the company money and to do the job not spend a few hours surfing the net.

But i do agree OP you need to put in a internet usage policy, as i aam affraid you will be taken to the cleaners at tribunal.

newmumincov

You need to be very careful when trying to take someone to a disciplinary (or worse) over internet usage

a) Can you defnintely tie the logs to the particular member of staff, absolutely 100%?

b) If the member of staff needs to use any internet facility/function for work purposes, are you sure these "hits" aren't actually work related? e.g. are you sure these aren't banners, counters, adverts etc from legitimate web sites.

c) Can you prove that all of the non work related hits occurred on work time and not on breaks?

d) Can you prove that all of these hits show an excessive amount of time spent browsing. First of all, as other posters have said, one page view can generate numerous hits (well into double figures) - one for every embedded image or advert for a start, then any counter or web tracking function will generate seperate hits. Secondly, if your member of staff views a couple of pages and then minimises their browser rather than shutting it, then the pages already loaded can keep generating hits, for example as advertising banners refresh themselves.

yvonne13_2

OP is everyone doing it or are you only pointing out one person due to the number of hits?

pineapple

I have worked in places where employees have spent half their time surfing, emailing and putting bids on Ebay! Whether or not you have an internet policy, imo it's theft of time/misconduct. But I wouldn't lay yourself open to a tribunal. I would have her in and ask for an explanation then issue a warning if appropriate. Then institute a firm internet policy. Also that internet policy should restrict usage to the employees break time. They are being employed to work not to surf! But it's not just a matter of time. Just 'checking your email now and then' can impair performance as it detracts from concentration and 'being in the zone'.

gozaimasu

No one has mentioned the repercussions of a dismissal on the individual concerned. You need to realise that despite this person's actions, sacking them will damage or even ruin their career in their chosen field. They will find it difficult to be truthful on application forms as no future employer appreciates the honesty or gives that person another chance. Very unfair consider the scandalous things celebrities and politicians get up to, yet they are still pretty much guaranteed a job. Ordinary people suffer because no one will give them a chance after dismissal.

Once you are sure that this person is definitely using the internet excessively you need to address this by giving them a chance to amend this behaviour. This is something you will need to prove you have done in court if they take you for unfair dismissal.

You should also consider monitoring the other members of staff too - perhaps they are a bad influence on the individual concerned? Or other deeper reasons for this employee just surfing the net - they are bored and disillusioned with their job and can't face getting up every morning to work for you? It is your job as manager to motivate your staff. For all you know, they are applying frantically for as many jobs as possible (even at work, what with all the hits!) to find something better elsewhere.

Maybe you could offer this employee the chance to resign instead. That way they get a reference which doesn't scream dismissal at a future employer. You get rid of them; they get to move on a find a new job.