Question so since you monitor it, are your employees not allowed to do any internet while at work? How do you handle an occasional email?
I guess I just find it unreasonable that employers would get so upset over an email here or there. Or even a few minutes browsing news. Sometimes you just need a break, be it smoking, or surfing. I dont mean constant, but sometimes there are things you have to do even while at work. How do you handle that? Do you bring everybody in that uses the internet and "warn" them? Do you look the other way unless its a problem?
Im not trying to be snooty but seriously just asking.
I don't think you're being snooty at all
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Our problems did not involve employees using the internet to send an occasional email or just do a bit of surfing......our definition of "wasting time online" is not fulfilling their job responsibilities, or completing them in a timely manner, because of excessive personal emailing, surfing, shopping, social networking, etc. on company time. We didn't start monitoring computer usage until we needed proof of the amount of time some employees spent online and what sites they visited.
We don't have a problem with people being online during their break or lunch time, or even as needed for an urgent situation. The monitoring programs are still running, but we only check them occasionally or as needed if we suspect a problem. We have, however, chosen to block access to social networking sites.
You are saying that all of your employees are valuable to you, but you have no problem firing them for something like this. Sorry, but I question your use of the word "valuable".
And, from a man who has managed thousands of employees over my career, I can assure you that everyone is not "replaceable". Perhaps you should consider why you feel this way.
Something to mull over this holiday season.
And I question what your meaning of "firing them for something like this" is....Was this a good, hardworking, valuable employee who got fired simply because she violated internet policy by having the DIS running in the background on her comp as she worked, glancing at it during occasional lulls; OR was this an employee who was "wasting time online" and not performing her duties to her employer's satisfaction? Could be either; I assumed the latter.
We will just have to agree to disagree about "not everyone is replaceable." We've never had a problem finding replacements for any employees who have left our business. I don't think I need to consider or mull over why I feel this way.....
Happy holidays to you!
I feel the same way as my dad owns a rather good sized day care center, and as my dad's personal assistant/associate/IT I'm the one responsible for monitoring who is doing what on the internet. We have a staff of 25 and each person has a username and a password associated with them so that we are able to pin point exactly what sites and when they were on the internet (we have a total of 4 computers, all in the office, none in the classrooms). And written in bold printing on signs in the office and employee handbook clearly states that the internet is only to be used as a tool at work.
They are not allowed on any social networking sites, no entertainment sites, and they can not check personal e-mail either (if there is an emergency situation family members must call the office). If they want to check the latest news they are allowed on CNN, the local news station sites, msnbc, or the local paper. I do monitor usage, and on the first offense of not using the internet for work only they get written up and locked out of their account that allows them to use a work computer, and if it continues they will not work for us anymore. And they must turn in all wireless communication devices into the office at the beginning of their work day or leave them in their cars.
If they wish to check their e-mail or facebook pages during their lunch hour they must go home to do so. They will not use our computers for these purposes.
Good for you! Sounds like you and your father are running a tight ship there. Your employees' first responsibility is for the safety and well-being of many children. You can't afford to have an "unfortunate incident" happen because some employee was inattentive while they surfed, texted, tweeted, face-booked, etc. You know your employees' strengths....and weaknesses.....do what's right for everybody.
It turns out that the devices aren't shielded properly and were tested by way of how they're worn in buckle holsters rather than how people ACTUALLY store them on their person.
