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tburt75
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Joined: 30 Aug 2002
Posts: 346
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 Posted: 11/04/02 - 17:31 Post subject: You're privacy at work...and you're opinion
Ok, i've been working at Colorvision for 2 and a half years. It started off rocky (i'm a very unique individual, and most find my work ethic hard to deal with but hey...thats another story)
Friday i had the day off (self requested and approved) but due to life interfering, i came in to print some freelance stuff for a client. Now...this has NEVER been a problem in the past 2 years but Friday my boss got a hair up his ass.
First of all i left friday laughing it up with my boss, he didn't seem irritated or perturbed in any way. Secondly he was actually inquiring about the flyer i was printing out asking me if i could get that deal printed for HIM at the gym i was doing the flyer for.
Monday i come into work and my computer and all my things have been MOVED to the other side of the room. I thoguht it was a practical joke by the techs and spent some of my morning moving everything back. hahah right?
The vice president calls me into his room:
Him:"You had an incident on friday?"
Me: "Uhhhhh what?"
Him:(Holding a piece of paper looks familiarly like a write up form) You don't know about this?"
Me:"Certainly if i did, i'd have told you by now...i have no idea what that is."
Him: "Well apparently you came in on your off day and did freelance work on company equipment."
I could see where this was going. I don't know what was up Bruces ass Friday but he's never had a problem with this before.
Him:"You came in the back door and left immediately after printing the stuff. Did you do that?"
Me: "I certainly did, Bruce has never had a problem with it before."
Him:"Apparently you didn't give him advanced notice this time."
Me: "I did that out of respect for him before, i didn't know it was required."
Him: "well now you know, sign this please. Also, bruce moved your computer so we can see what's on your screen at all times."
Me: "I moved it back."
Him: "Ok, well something needs to happen here, why did you move it back?"
Me: "Because moving my computer in that way is completely ridiculous."
Him: "Ridiculous?"
Me: "After 2.5 years working for you, you're going to take away my privacy? I don't even have an office to start: I work in a 'room' with lots of other equipment around. If you don't trust me you shouldn't have me here working for you."
Now i realize i just put my job out there on the line, but i'm confident i'm an asset to this company, and seriously, i can't work when everyone walking by can see what's on my computer. Also putting my comptuer in that way puts my back to the hallway and i can't stand even eating in a restaraunt unless i can see the exit...so there's no way i can come in day in and day out with my back to an exit AND a hallway.
Him: (Looks a little stunned at my comment)
Me: "One has nothing to do with the other. this was a case of miscommunication or lack of communication all together, it won't happen again. There's no need to start chanigng things around, they're fine where they are and i STILL have not missed a single deadline."
Him: (looks more calm, nods his head) Well you need to talk this over with Bruce. I'll let him know that we talked and what we concluded to. He'll be in on Wednesday."
Me: (looks dissapointed) "Wednesday....:sigh: fine."
Now i get to brood over this for a couple days.
So, i'm super pissed that my stuff was moved without me being consulted.
I'm super pissed because my boss said NOTHING about this to me, when it could have been EASILY resolved without a write up.
Now, do you think my privacy was invaded by someone moving my stuff? Understand this is a small company (30 employees) who have bowling parties and other stuff where everyone gets drunk off their asses together.
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TriBob
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Joined: 29 Aug 2002
Posts: 5771
Location: Lost in Transition
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Posted: 11/04/02 - 17:46 Post subject:
I think it is against policy everywhere; but, unless it gets out of hand most companies put up with it. Look how much lost productivity they have because of forums  Next time, do it on a regular work day.
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Erstwhile Lurker
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Joined: 14 May 2002
Posts: 4047
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Posted: 11/04/02 - 17:50 Post subject:
I'm extremely vigilant about keeping my jobs separate. I don't want to give anyone an inch when it comes to adverse assumptions about my dedication to one or the other.
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camelia bedelia
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Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 2808
Location: God's Country
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Posted: 11/04/02 - 17:56 Post subject:
Sounds like they over-reacted and your boss should have said something to you on Friday, and I don't think it was very courteous to move your stuff before you got there, but I can't really say I think your privacy was violated. After all, it is the companys equipment and they can do what they want with it.
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jrjo
Gone Fishin
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Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 16450
Location: Lake Wobegon, MN
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Posted: 11/04/02 - 18:01 Post subject:
EL's right about keeping the jobs separate. Anything non-job related will be sticking your neck out.
As for privacy, the workspace and equipment you use at a job is the employer's property. Whatever you leave there overnight loses any identity as private from what I understand. Although it's a pretty crummy thing to do on your day off, it's their right to arrange their space and furnishings.
Seems like your ready for a fight. I'd pick and choose on what you want to stand your ground. This kind of thing could use up alot of any favortism you've got there. Good luck man.
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spongebob
Former FFL Champion
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Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 3602
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Posted: 11/04/02 - 18:14 Post subject:
All companies suck
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prohemp
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Joined: 14 May 2002
Posts: 7716
Location: in the cradle of liberty
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Posted: 11/04/02 - 18:15 Post subject:
| Runner X wrote: | | All companies suck |
i beg to differ
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jrjo
Gone Fishin
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Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 16450
Location: Lake Wobegon, MN
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Posted: 11/04/02 - 18:57 Post subject:
| prohemp wrote: | | Runner X wrote: | | All companies suck |
i beg to differ |
CEOs like grovelling
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purple hayes
Frightened Inmate #2
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Joined: 14 May 2002
Posts: 14462
Location: ON YOUR LEFT!
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Posted: 11/04/02 - 19:03 Post subject:
My day job doesn't even know that I have a side job but my side job knows all about my day job.
Sounds like someone at your work way over reacted to me. Play your cards right and everything will go back to normal.
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Cappy
Excelent
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Joined: 16 May 2002
Posts: 27368
Location: Spreadsheetylvania
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Posted: 11/04/02 - 19:07 Post subject:
| purple hayes wrote: | My day job doesn't even know that I have a side job but my side job knows all about my day job.
Sounds like someone at your work way over reacted to me. Play your cards right and everything will go back to normal. |
I hear your side job's boss is a pretty cool guy though.
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purple hayes
Frightened Inmate #2
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Joined: 14 May 2002
Posts: 14462
Location: ON YOUR LEFT!
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Posted: 11/04/02 - 19:27 Post subject:
| grego262 wrote: | | purple hayes wrote: | My day job doesn't even know that I have a side job but my side job knows all about my day job.
Sounds like someone at your work way over reacted to me. Play your cards right and everything will go back to normal. |
I hear your side job's boss is a pretty cool guy though. |
The drafting side job, not the web design side job. 
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copteacher
Adjunct
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Joined: 08 Jun 2002
Posts: 20588
Location: Teaching in the Halls of Justice
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Posted: 11/04/02 - 20:50 Post subject:
that sucks jed
hope things work in your favor
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Cappy
Excelent
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Joined: 16 May 2002
Posts: 27368
Location: Spreadsheetylvania
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Posted: 11/04/02 - 20:53 Post subject:
Most companies have rules about use of their equipment. Choose your fight carefully. This one may not be worth throwing away the trust you have attained.
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flarunner
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Joined: 30 May 2002
Posts: 2230
Location: FLA
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Posted: 11/04/02 - 21:30 Post subject:
You're lucky you didn't get fired. Most companies don't like you using their equipment for jobs for other people/companies.
The next time you need to do some 'freelance' stuff on their time and equipment, try to be a bit more discreet.
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AlaninTX
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Joined: 14 May 2002
Posts: 6582
Location: Austin, Texas
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Posted: 11/04/02 - 23:44 Post subject:
To be honest, if I were the big boss, I would not be remotely concerend about you. What would concern me is the fact that your boss knew you were using company equipment for anything other than company business.
You wouldn't hear anything about this, and certainly wouldn't have your stuff moved. Your boss, on the other hand, might very well be out looking for a new job--and fired for cause.
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