"I don't want to because this person is a hard worker and better at the job than most we have had in the past"
So why would this person be told to leave then?

Well even though I live in a at will employment state, we don't usually terminate people without proof. RH proof, so that you understand, means that you must have facts and be able to back them up with something other than one persons statement.

Why not go to that person while the screen is on and a reminder not to go against policy again? Obviously the person didn't take the memos seriously but being confronted with it might have help instead of him/her losing a job. Maybe document the warning, then next time it's the boot! But then again, that's what I would have done. It's a crappy position to be put in John.

Obviously the person didn't take the memos seriously but being confronted with it might have help instead of him/her losing a job.

I would love to have the freedom to issue a slap on the wrist. It would make me feel a lot better. Unfortunately, we tried that with another employee to no avial in the past. That leaves us with a black and white issue.

When it comes right down too it, if the person ignored the policy we don't need them and if the didn't understand it again we don't need them. I just hate having to be the one to turn them in.

John,

I've been in a similar situation on the other end of it. They weren't quite to the level of firing people for checking their personal email yet, but it was a big no no. I personally have a very large problem with being punished because OTHER people are stupid. I think its an OK policy, and it can be reinforced to those who are stupid enough to open emails like that. But wouldn't it make more sense to fire someone who's actually got a virus on their machine, than the person who is capable of using resources responsibly?

That being said, if they're sending out emails telling people they're going to lose their jobs, then... I don't understand why people keep doing it. Guess they're going to have to make an example of someone for the rest of them to get it. It sucks.

Reply By: qt3.14159(Anonymous User)Posted: Friday, July 15, 2005John,

Ah ... my cutie pie. Hey sweets.

But wouldn't it make more sense to fire someone who's actually got a virus on their machine, than the person who is capable of using resources responsibly?

In a perfect world ... yes. I don't work with people who could be considered responsible. The person in question wasn't let go. They got a slap on the wrist. This person later confronted me as it was easy to tell who outed them. They were angry that I didn't deal directly with them. I simply asked a few questions of that person. (They are responsible for the condition of our large file room) I said ... If I came in here and dumped every file on the floor and then chose to shred certain files that you are responsible for. How would you feel? If that paper wasn't around anymore how long do you think we could stay in business? Would you blame me for the downfall of the company? What if the shredder was broken and I only caused you hours of tedious work, would you still be just as angry with me? Would you want to deal directly with me or would you see that I was dealt with accordingly?

The two situations are not all that different, one paper the other electronic. One major difference is that I was never told not to destroy the file room. I respect this person’s job. When I remove a file, I put a place marker in the rack along with my name and when I removed the file. I go to that length so that when this person is asked to find a file that I might have, they need only look for me. I respect this person’s job. When people check there personal mail, I take it personally. My job makes me responsible in some ways for the prosperity of this company. I take my job seriously and I respect the jobs of my coworkers. I don't ask anything more of them.

Hugs and licks QT.

It's not about you, it's about them.

I guess they don't see that not only do they put your network at risk, they are wasting company time.

I see it all the time. I don't work in an office, but take part in building them. I am a foreman for a commercial painting company. I hate policing these guys.

I go though this crap with the cell phones. I tell them look guys, if you can't use your personal phones during your breaks, your not going to be able to have it on the job.

Just the next day some joker pulls out his phone to make a call right in front of me. I told him to go put it in his truck. The next day I come out of the crib and the same yo yo is sitting on a 5er of paint chatting away while his partner is doing the work of 2 guys as he talks. I sent him home for a couple of days, and told him not to bring his personal phone on the job anymore. The idiot comes back on Tuesday, and during our morning break he was on his damn phone. I sent him packing.

WTF? My company is paying this moron in excess of $40/hr to paint not talk on his frickin' phone.

*shrugs*... Whatever.