Suspended - help please

RiverStar

Thanks Ozzuk..... that's what l thought as l was never approached at all re this. If l had known personal use was strictly forbidden, l would never have done it.

fruitedeli

RiverStar wrote: »

Thanks Ozzuk..... that's what l thought as l was never approached at all re this. If l had known personal use was strictly forbidden, l would never have done it.

It's common sense. Did you think they're paying you to sit around to chat or do something else other than work? You're paid to WORK. Not to do personal things during working hours.

Employer doesn't have to talk to you about it first. It's a nice thing to do if they're lenient, but if they feel like setting an example then you're in trouble.

Undervalued

fruitedeli wrote: »

It's common sense. Did you think they're paying you to sit around to chat or do something else other than work? You're paid to WORK. Not to do personal things during working hours.

I think that is a bit strong without knowing all the circumstances.

Certainly in my last job "reasonable personal use of email and internet" was allowed.

But equally we all did a fair amount of work out of hours without getting paid overtime. So, swings and roundabouts!

That said, there was no way I would use the work computers for anything private that I wasn't prepared to pin up on the coffee room notice board. It was after all the firms and they were quite entitled to monitor it.

Ozzuk

fruitedeli wrote: »

It's common sense. Did you think they're paying you to sit around to chat or do something else other than work? You're paid to WORK. Not to do personal things during working hours.

Employer doesn't have to talk to you about it first. It's a nice thing to do if they're lenient, but if they feel like setting an example then you're in trouble.

Another sensationalist post. Are you wrong? In the strictest sense, no, but its rare companies will take the line that you suggest. Most places for instance are fine with internet browsing/conversations/email during lunch and other breaks that most people are not paid for. Allowing such tends to increase moral and productivity. Of course there are exceptions but you'd be wrong to infer it's common sense to assume 1 email will get you fired when the firm's own (as described) policy doesn't reflect that.

One thing you are wrong about is the employer telling you first - yes they do. they have to advise you policies exist, they don't have to tell you the content and it is up to you to read, but they do have to tell you they exist.

PHILANTHROPIST

fruitedeli wrote: »

It's common sense. Did you think they're paying you to sit around to chat or do something else other than work? You're paid to WORK. Not to do personal things during working hours.

Employer doesn't have to talk to you about it first. It's a nice thing to do if they're lenient, but if they feel like setting an example then you're in trouble.

Employer has to do what is fair and reasonable in the circumstances.

To accuse prima facie an employee of gross misconduct for making the occasional personal call is in all likelihood unfair, unreasonable and a disproportionate response. On that basis at least two thirds of office based employees in the UK will be summarily dismissed and out of work before the end of the month.

fruitedeli

Ozzuk wrote: »

Another sensationalist post. Are you wrong? In the strictest sense, no, but its rare companies will take the line that you suggest. Most places for instance are fine with internet browsing/conversations/email during lunch and other breaks that most people are not paid for. Allowing such tends to increase moral and productivity. Of course there are exceptions but you'd be wrong to infer it's common sense to assume 1 email will get you fired when the firm's own (as described) policy doesn't reflect that.

One thing you are wrong about is the employer telling you first - yes they do. they have to advise you policies exist, they don't have to tell you the content and it is up to you to read, but they do have to tell you they exist.

Perhaps an increase in morale, but lol@increased productivity.

Employer doesn't have to tell you such policy exist, providing it's reasonably visible for you to read. It can be a piece of paper on the wall or just some warning text on screen.

It's also implied when an employer pays you to work, you work, not do something else?

Torry_Quine

fruitedeli wrote: »

It's common sense. Did you think they're paying you to sit around to chat or do something else other than work? You're paid to WORK. Not to do personal things during working hours.

Employer doesn't have to talk to you about it first. It's a nice thing to do if they're lenient, but if they feel like setting an example then you're in trouble.

I agree. Surely unless told otherwise then personal e-mails and phone are not appropriate unless in an emergency.

fruitedeli

PHILANTHROPIST wrote: »

Employer has to do what is fair and reasonable in the circumstances.

To accuse prima facie an employee of gross misconduct for making the occasional personal call is in all likelihood unfair, unreasonable and a disproportionate response. On that basis at least two thirds of office based employees in the UK will be summarily dismissed and out of work before the end of the month.

It's a reasonable and proportionate response if an employee uses up a lot of company time throughout the year for personal emails/calls. We don't know how long it takes OP to send off the personal emails, and we don't know how many times it's done per day or week. If it's an office where clients frequently visit, it's bringing the company into disrepute.

It's reasonable to allow toilet breaks in my opinion, but not for sending emails or making personal phone calls. Do that in your own time!

PHILANTHROPIST

Torry_Quine wrote: »

I agree. Surely unless told otherwise then personal e-mails and phone are not appropriate unless in an emergency.

Are you and fruit deli employment judges ? Who knows you may be right ; but it's unlikely.

Employers have to do what is fair and reasonable in the circumstances.

To accuse prima facie an employee of gross misconduct for making the occasional personal call is in all likelihood unfair, unreasonable and a disproportionate response. On that basis at least two thirds of office based employees in the UK will be summarily dismissed and out of work before the end of the month.

PHILANTHROPIST

fruitedeli wrote: »

It's a reasonable and proportionate response if an employee uses up a lot of company time throughout the year for personal emails/calls. We don't know how long it takes OP to send off the personal emails, and we don't know how many times it's done per day or week. If it's an office where clients frequently visit, it's bringing the company into disrepute.

It's reasonable to allow toilet breaks in my opinion, but not for sending emails or making personal phone calls. Do that in your own time!

Re above. You say and I quote - "We don't know how long it takes OP to send off the personal emails, and we don't know how many times it's done per day or week."

With regard to the above I agree with you. Let's wait and see.