THANKS....not suspended for internet/email misuse

space_rider

The company I work for has strict it policy. if you abuse it it`s simple. Dismissal. Many people have been dismissed for this. We get a copy of the companies it policy quite regularly and we all have to sign to say we have had it. We are allowed to send each other emails like what time you going for break or lunch but that`s about it.

manhattan

out of interest, would they be able to see that you are on the internet if you took your own laptop into work and connected it to the works ethernet internet connection?

Gorgeous_George

manhattan wrote:

out of interest, would they be able to see that you are on the internet if you took your own laptop into work and connected it to the works ethernet internet connection?

You could run your laptop on internal batteries and 'specialists' could see what was on your screen from the next room.

As for the OP, I'd ride it out until I thought I might be sacked, then I'd resign - looks better on the CV. Hopefully you 'll be fine.



GG

the_prophet

space_rider wrote:

The company I work for has strict it policy. if you abuse it it`s simple. Dismissal. Many people have been dismissed for this. We get a copy of the companies it policy quite regularly and we all have to sign to say we have had it. We are allowed to send each other emails like what time you going for break or lunch but that`s about it.

Hi space rider, I am wondering if this is not what will happen now as I think the policy has been undermind over the years. For example if I had been told to never access the internet for personal use then I would never had done anything of the sort, I would have been too scared. I must admit I have been given a copy of the rules and regulations since all this kicked off and it does state the organisation will not tolerate accessing bank websites, holiday companies etc but I can't say I ever seen this before.... also as our service director told us that she checked her bank account to mark the end of the day it has been so confusing. I think it would have been really good to have been regularly told that the policy exists and it be discussed with us personally whether we understand what this means.
I have never used the company email system inapproriately and I have never accessed anyone else's email. I noticed in the policy that the company will not tolerate chain mail or jokes... but at christmas we sent a phto around and my team leader sent on a jokey chain mail...... so what actually does 'will not tolerate' mean and wouldn't this mean that anyone who has done anything at all would have to be disciplined... how can it be workable????
Also what is interesting is that I have been told that for example 'health' websites do not create any cookies. This cannot be right and I am in the process of investigating this..... anyone got any clues???

as always heartfelt thanks

jobbingmusician

Just to clarify, in order to dismiss, an employer does not have to 'prove' anything. They have to act reasonably, and if (as in the current situation) an employee is accused of wrongdoing, they have to have a reasonable belief that this person has done the wrong thing.

From the thread above, in this case:

1. It was commonplace for people to use other's logons

2. The IT policy had not been brought to people's attentions

3. The IT policy was widely disregarded (including disregards by people more senior than the OP)

4. Breaches of the IT policy had not been addressed even-handedly, and it may be that breaches had been overlooked in every employee except the OP.

Something tells me that either the OP will be OK, or this will be a VERY profitable employment tribunal!!!

the_prophet

jobbingmusician wrote:

Just to clarify, in order to dismiss, an employer does not have to 'prove' anything. They have to act reasonably, and if (as in the current situation) an employee is accused of wrongdoing, they have to have a reasonable belief that this person has done the wrong thing.

From the thread above, in this case:

1. It was commonplace for people to use other's logons

2. The IT policy had not been brought to people's attentions

3. The IT policy was widely disregarded (including disregards by people more senior than the OP)

4. Breaches of the IT policy had not been addressed even-handedly, and it may be that breaches had been overlooked in every employee except the OP.

Something tells me that either the OP will be OK, or this will be a VERY profitable employment tribunal!!!

Double thanks for this jobbingmusician..... one can dream!!!!!

space_rider

our IT department can monitor our useage remotely. We have work to do on a list on the pc and if you are idle on a particular screen without doing something then it gets flagged up. If they are suspicious thats when they check.

firesidemaid

just found this thread whilst at work!

would be interested in your outcome - i have helped my brother put 2 disciplinary/appeal cases together and we won both. mainly as companies don't have a clue what they are doing when it comes to their own disciplinary policies and procedures! how long have you worked for them? if it's more than a year, and they put a tiny foot wrong in this procedure and then sack you, it's automatic unfair dismissal.

just scanning through this thread quickly - as you have said they have failed to treat you fairly by disciplining you and no-one else. also, said manager who has also used ebay etc at work should not be part of running your investigation.

take a look also at when statements are dated/signed. with our first case we had a lightbulb moment when we realised that one of the original witness statements as evidence for case leading to dismissal was signed after my brother had already been dismissed!

if they have little experience of the disciplinary system there will be plenty of holes. hopefully you will have rattled them enough already....

good luck and let us know how you get on.

RoCas

Just found this thread, prophet. I don't have anything constructive to add to the brilliant advice you've already had, but wanted to wish you lots of luck. Hope it turns out well for you.

the_prophet

hi sazzacat and rocas thanks and will let you know what happens