Workplace stupidity!

1911 Operator · Sep 17, 2009

at work today, my HR department called me into their office. so in i go and there's an older guy there that introduces himself as a company security man.

at my work, you have internet access and can access any site that is not block by the company's firewall. i choose to frequent this forum, along with other gun forums. my company allows internet surfing when it's slow. (obviously it can't interfere with your work)

this security guy starts asking me questions like "do you like this job", and advised me that in monitoring my internet surfing (which i knew they did), they found it "disturbing" that i choose to frequent sites like this one.

they said it makes people nervous, and requested that i avoid all gun sites in the future while at work. i said, sure no prob, even though i find it offensive that they would insinuate that i might come in shoot up the place just because i choose recreational target shooting as my hobby, and like to frequent gun forums.

has anyone else encountered this type of stupidity at work?

Bruno2 · Sep 17, 2009

That was pretty stupid . I find certain websites offensive too , but , if its not pornography or something completely underground why would I care at all ?

There are way too many people getting into other peoples business anymore . I guess this is necessary b/c that is how they catch terrorists before they do something crazy .

sjohn26 · Sep 17, 2009

Are you paid to surf the web???Does the company pay for the 'Net access? Their time--their rules........................suggest you lie low awhile..............

1911 Operator · Sep 17, 2009

Bruno2 said:
That was pretty stupid . I find certain websites offensive too , but , if its not pornography or something completely underground why would I care at all ?

There are way too many people getting into other peoples business anymore . I guess this is necessary b/c that is how they catch terrorists before they do something crazy .

yeah it also seems as though people are way too sensitive these days-to the point of stupidassery lol

weisse52 · Sep 17, 2009

There are way too many people getting into other peoples business anymore

If he is on a company computer during company time then from a company point of view it is the companies business.

at my work, you have internet access and can access any site that is not block by the company website.

Do they do this by blocking site, or by attempting to block content?

I am suprised that if they did not they chose you to single out. I would surmise that "someone" was "offended" and reported and that got the ball rolling for them to monitor.

Never an easy answer when you surf at work. I agree I would stay off at work to prevent them from really coming down on you.

1911 Operator · Sep 17, 2009

sjohn26 said:
Are you paid to surf the web???Does the company pay for the 'Net access? Their time--their rules........................suggest you lie low awhile..............

yeah, it's their internet. obviously i would abide by their rules. and we can surf the net when it's slow.

but others are allowed to explore sites with their particular interest, why not me ?

bigfatdave · Sep 17, 2009

at my work, you have internet access and can access any site that is not block by the company website.

If they don't want you surfing THR, they can just block it, and be entirely within their rights to do so.
Why do they have a web filter, if they're going to complain about what sites someone visits? Sounds pretty asinine to me.

1911 Operator · Sep 17, 2009

bigfatdave said:
Why do they have a web filter, if they're going to complain about what sites someone visits? Sounds pretty asinine to me.

my thoughts exactly. they are a bunch of dumbasses.

Hiaboo · Sep 17, 2009

I had this happen to me, although looking back it was a stupid thing to say but I basically said, "Yeah so? I find it disturbing that people go to MSM websites as well" and walked out..

I heard nothing further and that was about a year ago.

I don't know what your workplace is like, but I'd just lay it low, don't frequent so much, or use proxies if its not against policy.

Old Fuff · Sep 17, 2009

Do you stay at the workplace or go out? If you can leave for lunch or breaks maybe you should look into one of these new, small and (relatively) inexpensive computers called "netbooks." They are rigged for wireless and intended to be used for surfing the Internet. I don't see where they can have much to say if you're using your own computer, on your own time, and not using a company connection. Otherwise I would stay away from gun-related sites, and hard as it might be - start looking into the possibilities of another job.

1911 Operator · Sep 17, 2009

Old Fuff said:
Do you stay at the workplace or go out? If you can leave for lunch or breaks maybe you should look into one of these new, small and (relatively) inexpensive computers called "netbooks." They are rigged for wireless and intended to be used for surfing the Internet. I don't see where they can have much to say if you're using your own computer, on your own time, and not using a company connection. Otherwise I would stay away from gun-related sites, and hard as it might be - start looking into the possibilities of another job.

yep, they really pissed me off today, i am job hunting right now online (at home lol)

kingpin008 · Sep 17, 2009

my thoughts exactly. they are a bunch of dumbasses.

If they know you visit THR, chances are they've noted your user name here. If they haven't, a simple search of your computer's history will easily turn it up.

That being said, I'd watch what you say here regarding them if I were you. Whether you agree with their stance on firearms or not, calling your employers "dumbasses" on a site that they know you frequent isn't exactly the most intelligent thing to do.

1911 Operator · Sep 17, 2009

kingpin008 said:
If they know you visit THR, chances are they've noted your user name here. If they haven't, a simple search of your computer's history will easily turn it up.

That being said, I'd watch what you say here regarding them if I were you. Whether you agree with their stance on firearms or not, calling your employers "dumbasses" on a site that they know you frequent isn't exactly the most intelligent thing to do.

lol no, they're not allowed monitor my net surfing that's not done at work.

kingpin008 · Sep 17, 2009

I understand that. However, people have been fired for things they've said online, even from their home computers. Just because you're not on the clock calling them dumbasses doesn't mean that they can't find a way to fire you because of it.

amd6547 · Sep 17, 2009

I have a similar problem. I am on the road for my employer, and my job requires use of a company supplied laptop. There is a lot of downtime, so, naturally, I surf the net.
Recently, they have installed "openDNS" web filter. It blocks me from the more general sites like THR and gunboards, yet AK forum and UZItalk, no problem.

1911 Operator · Sep 17, 2009

kingpin008 said:
I understand that. However, people have been fired for things they've said online, even from their home computers. Just because you're not on the clock calling them dumbasses doesn't mean that they can't find a way to fire you because of it.

well, as i hate working there anyway, being fired would allow me more time to find a job in my field (have a bachelors).

CB900F · Sep 17, 2009

1911Operator;

I wholeheartedly agree with Hiaboo. Of course, his reaction may not be practical in your case. But myself, I'd have likely said something like: "The fact that you're self-admittedly 'disturbed', upsets me". Then, depending on the reaction that got, I might have either engaged in debate, or walked out.

I do understand that given the practicalities of the situation, your reaction may have been best for you. But what about writing a formal letter of protest to the ethics supervisor? (Or whatever they're calling the position in your company.) Claim egregarious discrimination. They can filter whatever they want. You didn't go around their filter, yet you're called in & made to feel that you've gone outside the boundries of ethical corporate behaviour. Ask if you need legal representation.

900F

3pairs12 · Sep 17, 2009

Doesn't seem like allowed is in their vocab. Although I doubt they are keeping tabs on you off the clock. I wouldn't take to much comfort in what they say is and isn't allowed. You were allowed to surf the intraweb machine and go to whatever sites you chose as long is it wasn't blocked.

NMGonzo · Sep 17, 2009

OP

It is not the "blocking" itself but it is the spirit in which is done.

When SHTF, most people will count on my department at the company
... yeah ...
the guys with the guns looking at guns at every idle moment.

The side of the shop that stand up and shakes hands with anyone that open carries.

HKUSP45C · Sep 17, 2009

3pairs12 said:
Doesn't seem like allowed is in their vocab. Although I doubt they are keeping tabs on you off the clock. I wouldn't take to much comfort in what they say is and isn't allowed. You were allowed to surf the intraweb machine and go to whatever sites you chose as long is it wasn't blocked.

Actually his company probably has an extremely explicit "Internet Usage Policy" written very clearly in the company handbook. It probably states something along the lines of "use of company computers to access non-work related sites for personal business or entertainment is strictly prohibited."

The fact that they are choosing to enforce it sporadically is not the issue. The real issue is: He's on their time, on their property, using their equipment, to access their leased communication lines to the internet and they dislike (for whatever reason) the content he is accessing.

As far as "right and wrong" are concerned they have every right to tell him what he can and can't do.

Conversely he has every right to quit in disgust and go find a more tolerant, or even more consistent, employer.

Employers have a fine line to walk when it comes to blocking sites. Appliances like NetSense and even software packages that block sites and/or content are only as good as the ACLs they are given. They don't learn very well that TheHighRoad.Org is a nice place to visit and chat about guns where as Stormfront.Com is not. So, Employers usually pick the lowest common denominator and block the sites they KNOW they don't want people to visit and rely on the "Internet Usage Policy" to enforce the "administrative blocking" of sites not in the ACLs the hardware/software don't catch.

Let's not forget this boils down to a liability issue for the employer AND they have every right to cover thier own butts, in just about any way they see fit.

DoubleTapDrew · Sep 17, 2009

this security guy starts asking me questions like "do you like this job", and advised me that in monitoring my internet surfing (which i knew they did), they found it "disturbing" that i choose to frequent sites like this one.

Maybe they were just making sure you weren't a disgruntled individual. If they really had a problem with it they'd close the firewall to weapon related sites.
If you are going to stay there, lay low for a while...or make friends with the IT guy, a lot of us are shooters

Lone_Sheep_Dog · Sep 17, 2009

I had a similar experience. I am a quiet person. There are 2 different managers who made comments like "I don't want to piss you off." I guess they think the quiet guys are more likely to shoot up a workplace. I was pretty offended at these comments.

Double Naught Spy · Sep 17, 2009

Very good HKUSPC

they said it makes people nervous, and requested that i avoid all gun sites in the future while at work. i said, sure no prob, even though i find it offensive that they would insinuate that i might come in shoot up the place just because i choose recreational target shooting as my hobby, and like to frequent gun forums.

has anyone else encountered this type of stupidity at work?

Yep, pretty stupid that they let you surf on their dime.

Erik M · Sep 17, 2009

I cant think of comment that is politically charged or offensive so I will just say that its unfortunate that your employer has that type of view.

mustang_steve · Sep 17, 2009

Yeah, it sounds like they have Websense installed. Your bosses (and certain others) can see your web traffic on websense, so someone upstream of you probably was monitoring web traffic (maybe yours is higher, or at oddball times?) and spotted the site, wigged out and complained to HR.

If they really had a problem with it, I'm pretty sure Websense has a user-definable blacklist they can just throw the sites they objected to in. This makes me think it was an upstream wig-out as opposed to IT just randomly monitoring usage.

Sounds normal for a large corporation. The policies at them drive me insane at times.

Workplace stupidity!

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