Ethical??? Or not!!

[GMan]

Hell-o all,

In conversation with some friends the other night we got to talking about e-mail and internet use by way of employers computers and connections. Of the six of us within the conversation, 3 use access from the employer and 3 of us do not.

One of the three who uses her employers computer felt that she was uncomfortable using it as it crossed the line of ethics, and stealing time from her employer. The others did not. The three of us who use our own connection were at a loss for words, as we have not given it much thought.

Is their a limit to what you can use on your employers equipment? Is it actually stealing from your boss?

I always looked on it as a benefit of employment and with that it mind, not to be abused. So now I am a quandry as to what to think about this.

Thanks for letting me ramble.

[longshadows]

Oh, Glen, what a question to ask. Do we really want to go there? OK... I guess doing anything at work that's not specifically related to the job which you're being paid for could be considered "taking from your employer." I recall people being asked if they had ever taken a paper clip or a pencil from their office!

Does one use the office telephone to make and receive personal calls? Do you visit the coffe machine or the bathroom more than your allotted "15 minute breaks?" On the other hand, if one is salaried, how does one measure that? Do you work at the office an extra thrity minutes each day to cover the time you surfed the Net that day?

Certainly the use of the PC/Internet for personal affairs is not actually costing the employer. So, it's a matter of your time. Either way, one has to be honest and consider if he or she is actually taking something in the form of salary for work they are not providing. It's an individual thing and requires each person to sort all the aspects out for his/herself.

[davedove]

Well, if you want to get hardnose about it, it is technically stealing because it is the companies computer, connection, and time. That being said, most places make an allowance.

Where I work, you are allowed to use it for personal reasons with certain restrictions. No adult or hate sites, period. Your use cannot interfere with the completion of your mission. You should try to limit it to your own time, like lunch and breaks.

There are also cases where personal use can benefit the company. For instance, you have to do some banking transactions. The company would rather give you fifteen minutes to complete it online than for you to have to take an hour or more away from the office to do the same thing.

As far as "excessive" use, that is up to management to decide.

[Iolaus]

You're talking about casual surfing, right? I don't buy into the "moral relativity" arguement. Whether I choose to do the right thing is beside the point, in some cases, right is right, and wrong is wrong.

I would guess the only way to solve the "ethical" question would be to find out what the company policy is on it, and if there is none, to ask for a clarification. If the company says no, then it is stealing; if the company says yes, then it isn't. Pretty black and white, actually; it's their time , and their equipment, and you're obligated to use both as they expect - even if you're on a break.

Once the policy is made clear, if you choose to go against policy, and get away with it because it would be too much touble to enforce and "everyone does it," then you're stealing.

If, on the other hand, they say "it's ok, but don't abuse the privilage," then you're in a gray area where they can choose to make it an issue if they want; you would need further clarification in order to surf safely. If that were the case for me, then I'd strictly limit my surfing to breaks and lunch; the liabilities aren't worth the leisure.

Oh, and if you're just checking your email, remember that they can monitor everything you look at, and even the headings of unopened mail can say things that you don't want public. Not to mention there's also keystroke recorders that will store everything you type, including all the passwords you use to access things like email accounts and bank accounts. Do you really want to give them that kind of information?

[Gillis13]

I agree Iolaus, I am in a position that I have pretty much unlimited access to the net. I do not sit and surf all day, there are many tasks that must be completed daily and if they are not completed "red flags" will start appearing. I surf in moderation and as you stated, I use my lunch break and other opportune times to use the net. So, I think if you are not neglecting your duties that you are at work for in the first place and there is no conflict with your employer, I believe it is ok.

Todd