Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Ways to Prevent being fired by using Internet

Your Personal Computer can be a job ender. As you read this article you should be asking yourself : Is the policy of my office allow me to be browsing online or reading story?

  • The restrictions between computer use at work and at home are not very clear to so many employees. People do a lot of things online such as communication, watch Television, shopping and get news but there should be limit on where this is done. It is very important for all employees to understand what their employer's policies are when it comes to email and internet usage. This is because nowadays employees are losing their jobs following computer-based related circumstances.

1. Becareful about what you Blog.
There is a term for being fired because of a blog, it is known as "dooced". Dooced.com founder Heather Armstrong writes on her site that she lost her job a year after beginning the blog for writing entries that involved colleagues. This is her word to her site visitors" Be ye not so stupid" never write about work on the internet unless your boss know and approve your article about your work on the internet.

2. Playing Away
Playing games on the PC such as Solitaire is one of the ways of whiling away hours unknowingly and this act is not good for the workplace. A US based economist Richard Bayer once said that employees who use a company computer for personal matters on company time whether playing games or checking their mails are essentially stealing from their employer.

3. Looking At Pictures
Downloading, uploading or viewing of inappropriate pictures or offensive contents all amounting to misuse of the internet. According to a recent study by the American Management Association and the ePolicy Institute nearly one-third of bosses have fired workers based on this. Remember, the computer system belongs to the company and courts have consistently nowadays on the side of the employers when it comes to computer-related termination.

4. Posting Your Picture
Recently, social networking may be gaining an air formality. Employers are beginning to monitor social networking sites, not only do companies fear employees posting proprietary information, but they don't want to find photos of the boss dancing on the table drunk at the holiday party. Opinions posted that is contrary to the employer's values can also get employees into trouble.

5. Writing R-rated emails
Many employers going to about quarter in the US have sent an employee packing for e-mail related offenses. When you write, put it behind your mind that someone inside your establishment is reading it. As most of establishment about 43% that monitor email do it automatically while about 40% do it manually by reading and reviewing it by human beings.

Conclusion
A word they say is enough for a wise don't jeopardize your career due to some unpopular acts as highlighted above. Study the policy of your establishment as regards to the use of internet and you will be guided on what is expected of you.

Olufemi
Nigeria