Suspended - help please

RiverStar

DKLS wrote: »

Any decent company should accept that sometimes life crosses over into work I wouldn't object to any employee making the odd email, paying a bill online, calling a partner etc, the workplace shouldn't be a vacuum unless its a role with such security requirements.

Hi DKLS, thanks, as l work pretty hard in my job, l dont see the problem with odd email, paying bill online (yes, ive done that too).

In no way does emailing or paying a bill etc impact on my job in any way.

I dont work in a security type role either, in fact usually its a laid back atmosphere and as long as the work is done (which it is) there is no problem, until now.

Torry_Quine

RiverStar wrote: »

Hi Torry, l don't get a signal on my phone so l asked a previous manager if l could (on occassion) email my partner as l didnt want to be on a personal call on switchboard in case someone calls. He said this was fine of course as long as it wasn't all the time.

I had checked the IT policy and since it quoted ' excessive' use, l presumed it would be ok.

I do agree with all those who have said personal use is wrong but l think it should depend on circumstances and its not as though l was using it for ebay etc.

One things for sure, l wont be using it for anything other than work in future. Its not worth it.

I uderstand what you're saying but in my opinion personal mobiles should be turned off anyway while at work. A text sent can be read at break or end of work and in an emergency the office should be called

DKLS wrote: »

Any decent company should accept that sometimes life crosses over into work I wouldn't object to any employee making the odd email, paying a bill online, calling a partner etc, the workplace shouldn't be a vacuum unless its a role with such security requirements.

Really! It gets worse with employees paying bills in work time.:mad:

RiverStar

Torry_Quine wrote: »

I uderstand what you're saying but in my opinion personal mobiles should be turned off anyway while at work. A text sent can be read at break or end of work and in an emergency the office should be called



Really! It gets worse with employees paying bills in work time.:mad:

During their lunch break...UNPAID lunch break!

Would you impose a limit on bathroom breaks too?
After all, that would eat in to company time too!

Torry_Quine

RiverStar wrote: »

During their lunch break...UNPAID lunch break!

Would you impose a limit on bathroom breaks too?
After all, that would eat in to company time too!

Nobody said it was during a break although using a work computer is still wrong.

FBaby

Everything you write is telling me that there is more to it then just the few quick emails. Are you absolutely certain that your email didn't inavertly said something about someone or the company that could be construde as negative, or breaching confidentiality.

I just can't see why, if all the problem is their perceive excess usage of emails, they would have suspended you until the investigation and not expect you to get on with your work during that time unless they had some real concern about any harm you could bring to the company.

The whole thing doesn't make any sense but I'm really sorry you are going through this.

makeyourdaddyproud

Not very nice to be suspended over a policy breach, but in this case I would allow an exception and hope for them to take the longest time possible to decide my outcome.

Use this holiday period to re-energise your CV. If asked about the dismissal (if it crystallises), at least you can explain it without a huge amount of reactive surprise.

Orville

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.

Did you not say a manager said it was ok as long as use wasn't excessive. Can you not get them to say they gave you permission.

RiverStar

FBaby wrote: »

Everything you write is telling me that there is more to it then just the few quick emails. Are you absolutely certain that your email didn't inavertly said something about someone or the company that could be construde as negative, or breaching confidentiality.

I just can't see why, if all the problem is their perceive excess usage of emails, they would have suspended you until the investigation and not expect you to get on with your work during that time unless they had some real concern about any harm you could bring to the company.

The whole thing doesn't make any sense but I'm really sorry you are going through this.

Hi FBaby,

Nope, nothing derogatory about anyone or the company. Nothing said would have been a threat to anyone.
I don't think it makes sense either. I could still have been at work while they investigated.
The wording on my suspension letter says "inappropriate use of email facilities".

And l take it I'm suspended because this is construed at gm, although policy says 'excessive' use.

RiverStar

Torry_Quine wrote: »

Nobody said it was during a break although using a work computer is still wrong.[/QUOTE

Torry, most of the emails would be sent during a break...
Ok, l accept l really really shouldn't, but to suspend over a few emails seems ridiculous.

RiverStar

makeyourdaddyproud wrote: »

Not very nice to be suspended over a policy breach, but in this case I would allow an exception and hope for them to take the longest time possible to decide my outcome.

Use this holiday period to re-energise your CV. If asked about the dismissal (if it crystallises), at least you can explain it without a huge amount of reactive surprise.

Thanks, l have spent some time updating my cv. I just want to be back to normal but I've been looking at jobs just in case.

If the worst did happen, how would a prospective employer react to me being dismissed for breaching email policy?