Internet Monitoring at Work: Your Thoughts...

[SuPhistiKatEd]

Hi Guys,

I'm just revising our IT plan at work. One of the areas surrounds internet/desktop monitoring. Just wanted to know what your company does and what your feelings are on being monitored 24/7 at work. Are you for or against the idea? Your help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[eblend]

Much against this. Its stupid. I work for a government of alberta agency, and we have fun access to the net and no monitoring. I love it. As long as you get your work done, why restrict people from checking a few things on the net every once in the while

[badatusrnames]

I wouldn't like it, but I can understand that a company has a right to monitor how you use their internet on their time.

But I wouldn't agree with a company blocking certain sites (such as youtube), as it wouldn't let an employee view those sites on their own time such as at lunch.

Also, think of the effect it would have on employee morale. It would make me feel like my employer doesn't trust me as a mature adult to not abuse my internet privileges. Not to mention the feeling of having big brother always looking over your shoulder would contribute to a negative working environment.

Where I work, management has no problem with us taking 10-15 minute "mental breaks" and surfing over to youtube, news sites, etc. I might even show them what I'm checking out if I think they'll be interested. It's things like that that make for a happier, more productive work force.

[ntv1980]

There are professions where they have to use the internet to lookup info. However, it's not that simple to say "allow" or "deny" the internet. Generally, it's allowed, and some limits connection to some special internet sites (facebook,youtube...).

If your company is project oriented, it's fine to have fully open internet connection, as long as the projects meet the milestones/expectations.

You could set up a pool of internet-accessible computers besides the regular non-internet computers so that the employees may use it when they want/need to.

Again, it's all about the work ethics. If an employee has good work ethics, he/she'll always have good work ethics, even if you allow fully opened internet. On the other hand, the non-ethical ones can always find something somehow to slack off.

Monitoring is a No-No. There is no reason to justify that. If you do that, good people will eventually find somewhere else to work.

[Antonito]

It was funny when they went through the data at my work and noticed that some people were spending hours a day on Facebook (not to mention the other sites, they just used that as an example). Yeah, going by the honor system may work in small offices where you can monitor peoples production efficiently, but in any large office, it's a recipe for severe abuse

[88CRX]

Originally posted by ntv1980

Again, it's all about the work ethics. If an employee has good work ethics, he/she'll always have good work ethics, even if you allow fully opened internet. On the other hand, the non-ethical ones can always find something somehow to slack off.

Monitoring is a No-No. There is no reason to justify that. If you do that, good people will eventually find somewhere else to work.

Pretty much sums it up right there..... slackers will always find a way to slack.

Our office can monitor it if they like, however it only becomes an issue with troubled employees. It gives the company a legit excuse to fire the real slackers that don't do shit all.

[Bimmer88]

At my work im the IT guy, and i have implemented Naomi which is a internet filter because I have caught first hand of some employee's visitng inappropriate sites at work. Like comeon this is work, you have to get your job done. You don't get paid to look at porn all day long. Oh btw this program has heuristic analysis capable of recognizing new material automatically.

Also, in terms of monitoring and making life A LOT easier we use Netsupport, it's a great program and very easy to implement. Try searching up on Netsupport. It's widely used by schools but there's a business one.

[Xtrema]

I would enable monitoring and will let employee knows the usage will be monitored and recorded.

It's basic procedure and you HAVE to do it. The more staff you have, the more need there is for one. Most HR will demand it.

And those records will only be used for investigation when needed. For example, when an harassment complain has been filed.

On the flip side instead of monitoring, you just ban. Remove all non work related website access. No access, no productivity issue, no legal issues.

[Ben]

We have all sorts of departments throughout the company on different V-LANS. This way you can control through your firewall what sites are accessible and what aren't. You can give the Execs and Project Managers full reign on whatever they want to browse, whilst keeping the peons and people who do not require access to sites such as facebook and youtube off them. Our firewall does a full and summarized report every night and you can break it down to the top 10 bandwitch hogs, top 10 users attempting to access filtered sites, Surf Time, the list goes on.

It's great because with SOOOOOO many staff that might have slow time throughout the day, they can rack up a massive amount of bandwidth. Went from a few hundred GB a day to around 60gb with this implementation, saved us several T1's.

[rmk]

I think some people do abuse it, and in that case they need to be monitored and or cut off. It should only be implemented when something it said though from a co-worker or manager.

Even though where I work, they slow down Facebook and do filter alot of things, I couldn't get through the day without browsing beyond or other non-mature sites....

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Originally posted by Ben
You can give the Execs and Project Managers full reign on whatever they want to browse, whilst keeping the peons and people who do not require access to sites such as facebook and youtube off them.

Your project managers require access to Facebook? :rofl:

[Kloubek]

I think an internet monitor would be understandable, but expect moral to decrease and people to protest. I agree with the user who said: "As long as you get your work done..."

If such a system is implemented, it should be utilized on a per-case basis. Ie: Don't go through all the records seeing anyone who might have spent time on facebook, etc. Use it as a tool to single out specific users if they are not performing up to par in their job, etc. Make it clear to the users that this information is only provided on written request from their supervisor, or something like that. Hopefully, that will keep the other employees from thinking big brother is constantly watching their every move.

[Ben]

Originally posted by BerserkerCatSplat


Your project managers require access to Facebook? :rofl:

Company is comprised of young people, even the Execs arn't old farts by comparison.

Company has a Facebook App.

Company Posts YouTube Vids

Company likes to have fun while at work. :)

[thrasher22]

My (now former) job had semi strict filters, I didn't enjoy it, but I really didn't blame them. I'd be surpised if a company didn't have one. The bandwidth and computers are company resources, why would they want you to waste company resources to download p0rn at work?

[WiltonKillz]

Thats stupid as long as your work has been finished or your working on it,
and respecting the net i think you should be allowed unfiltered =D

[Alterac]

If your at work, you are under their rules. Pretty simple.

We record every little piece of data that leaves our network, and we keep it for 10years.

We also have a internet filter in place, saves us tons of money.

It comes down to $$ in the end. Bandwidth is expensive, and employee's time is expensive.

[rmk]

The best place for surfing was the City of Calgary. I did a month long summer temp assignment with them and anything was game. Nothing was censored at all. I am still surprised nothing was ever said.....

[adamc]

The corporation I work for filters certain sites, like youtube, facebook, all the big mainstream time wasters.


But somebody in another company has setup a wireless network somewhere in the building, which allows me to disconnect my laptop from the lan, and browse that stuff when I need my little mental breaks throughout the day.


Best of both worlds. :)

[TVG]

At my last job there was no filter. I did spend half my days surfing the internet, but I also got all my work done. I wouldn't have blamed them if they gave me more work. If they blocked my internet access I would have been forced to sit at my desk and do nothing. Nothing worse for moral than that!

[Toma]

Depends on the job. If you have little else to do but answer the phone, sure surf away between calls to pass the time..... the very cute girl working the customs cashier desk at the Coutes border is an example.... they shoulda given her the internet to pass the time....

If you have a JOB, where things need getting done, and there is always something to do.... ban everything but what is 100% required for the job.

[codetrap]

I have been involved in cases where employees were let go due to the fact that they downloaded pron, and redistributed it.

Reasons for filters..
Bandwidth costs money.
Company is liable for what happens on it's computers
Employees WILL waste time on facebook, chat, or beyond when they SHOULD be working
Protect Computers from dangerous websites to cut IT costs

Why not to filter..
Whiney employees think that they have the right to surf anywhere anytime and come up with dozens of rationalizations to support it.

As to that lame excuse of, "I got all my work done"... what are you, in high school? If you said to me, I got all my work done, I'd send you home and not pay you for that time. As long as I'm paying you, you're working, finding work, or coming up with new projects to create work, otherwise, you're simply not needed, and you're gone.

[Eleanor]

Originally posted by eblend
As long as you get your work done, why restrict people from checking a few things on the net every once in the while

Bingo, my thoughts exactly

[rx7boi]

Having Youtube or Facebook access isn't a right - it's a workplace bonus. You can do without it and you're not entitled to surfing the web either.

It's when people use it irresponsibly and screws it up for everyone else. That said, why feel offended when your company wants to see if you're worth the hire? Because you think you're meeting company standards?

You don't put Duff beer on the counter and expect Homer not to drink it.

[Swank]

Filtering is fine, monitoring is an invasion of privacy. Why are they allowed to read my personal emails and see what web sites I go to but not allowed to tap my phone line?

[403Gemini]

Originally posted by Swank
Filtering is fine, monitoring is an invasion of privacy. Why are they allowed to read my personal emails and see what web sites I go to but not allowed to tap my phone line?

Im not opposing you, but is there an actual law stating they cant tap your phone line? (Again it probably sounds like im doubting you, im not, i just want to know if there is a source to this)

Cheers :)

[sullygully]

I agree with it. If you have time to surf the net, even though all your "work" is finished, then you don't have a good work ethic, you are costing the company money. If you think you have good work ethic, then you would go to your boss, and ask for more work to do. But if you want to be stuck in the same dead end job for the rest of your life, complaining about "the man" trying to control your life, then by all means.

[403Gemini]

I dont mind it. I have restricted websites at work (youtube, facebook, etc) but im also allowed beyond and what not. I get all of my work done right away, usually take on special projects, and i still find time to post on here every once in awhile throughout the day

[5hift]

the last time I worked in a office environment,

at first we were allowed to surf anywhere and everyone did, but most people got all their work done

when they put up filters and blocked everything, productivity went even further down, because everyone spent half their time trying to figure out how to bypass the filtering.

In the end they went back to the old way but made us all sign agreements saying we wouldnt visit certain types of sites and we wouldnt let it effect out productivity.

[topmade]

Originally posted by Swank
Filtering is fine, monitoring is an invasion of privacy. Why are they allowed to read my personal emails and see what web sites I go to but not allowed to tap my phone line?

Because all sites you visit should be work related. What gives you the right to check out other sites at work on their equipment and bandwidth? Are you paying for your own bandwidth? It's like driving a work bobcat home to lay your top soil? Work emails also belong to work, unless you're talking about hotmail then you shouldn't be surfing personal sites at work. Phones can be recorded as well, but they must let you know.

IMO, I like the freedom of surfing but we have most of the big time waster sites blocked like facebook, youtube, etc... it's a bit annoying, but as a company I never imagined how much our internet bill was monthly and it's $$HUGE$$, so I can see why they would limit the usage to save $$$,$$$.$$ < not kidding here.

[JRSC00LUDE]

Originally posted by rmk
I think some people do abuse it, and in that case they need to be monitored and or cut off. It should only be implemented when something it said though from a co-worker or manager.

Even though where I work, they slow down Facebook and do filter alot of things, I couldn't get through the day without browsing beyond or other non-mature sites....

+ 1 million billion. I am breaking the "law" right now because I need the diversion and I'll do it till I get called on it because I am still more productive than approx. 95% of the rest of the people here. They'll never get called on it because they knit and read books instead which = bullshit.

[Swank]

Originally posted by topmade
What gives you the right to check out other sites at work on their equipment and bandwidth? Are you paying for your own bandwidth?

The same thing that gives people the right to use their work phone for personal calls. And from what you're saying, they don't have the right. You think the main phone connection to the service provider is free? Nope. And with a VOIP phone you'd once again be stealing bandwidth. If there is a work place out there that won't allow someone to use their work phone to call home for a ride or something then I haven't heard of them.

[403Gemini]

Originally posted by JRSC00LUDE


+ 1 million billion. I am breaking the &quot;law&quot; right now because I need the diversion and I'll do it till I get called on it because I am still more productive than approx. 95% of the rest of the people here. They'll never get called on it because they knit and read books instead which = bullshit.

Stop your pissing and moaning and start knitting bitch ;)

[Antonito]

Originally posted by Swank


The same thing that gives people the right to use their work phone for personal calls. And from what you're saying, they don't have the right. You think the main phone connection to the service provider is free? Nope. And with a VOIP phone you'd once again be stealing bandwidth. If there is a work place out there that won't allow someone to use their work phone to call home for a ride or something then I haven't heard of them.

yeah, that's totally the same thing :rolleyes:

And yes, people that are on the phone all day making personal calls are filthy bastards that should die

[Euro_Trash]

Originally posted by eblend
As long as you get your work done, why restrict people from checking a few things on the net every once in the while

+1

[Swank]

Originally posted by Antonito

yeah, that's totally the same thing :rolleyes:

Then please explain the acceptability difference between a personal email and a personal phone call.

[Antonito]

Originally posted by Swank


Then please explain the acceptability difference between a personal email and a personal phone call.

Well, if we assumed that you only check one or 2 e-mails a day, no one would be having this conversation.

[Alterac]

At work you dont have the right to privacy. Anything you do at work, on work time, your employer has the right to monitor and record.

You basically have the right to fucking work, and if you dont like, fuck off.

Its pretty simple. This whole topic is only being discussed because of people that abuse their priveleges and whine and complain.

[01RedDX]

.

[topmade]

Originally posted by Swank


The same thing that gives people the right to use their work phone for personal calls. And from what you're saying, they don't have the right. You think the main phone connection to the service provider is free? Nope. And with a VOIP phone you'd once again be stealing bandwidth. If there is a work place out there that won't allow someone to use their work phone to call home for a ride or something then I haven't heard of them.
Yes that's correct. If your company records calls (you must be aware of this) then they have all the rights to listen in on your personal calls and can use this against you if necessary. At my last job one of the guys did a phone interview while at work and got busted because it was recorded and he was let go, and yes he was aware of the recording he just didn't think of it at that time.

My response was directed to that particular post and I would hope to god that there isn't a employer like that out there.

Alterac: stop surfing and get back to work already.

[403Gemini]

way i see it, if you're looking at something you wouldnt want your boss to see looking over your shoulder, you shouldnt be looking at it at work.

Ive sent my boss a few links from beyond that i got a laugh out of :dunno:

[Swank]

Originally posted by Alterac
At work you dont have the right to privacy. Anything you do at work, on work time, your employer has the right to monitor and record.

You basically have the right to fucking work, and if you dont like, fuck off.


You must be the one who runs the toilet cam websites.

[Alterac]

Hahah.. Nope.. Its just that like most people, I work someplace that records everything I do. And If Im doing something I dont want them to record, I just dont do it at work.

Its like masturbating at work.. its just a NO.

[Toms-SC]

Originally posted by JRSC00LUDE


+ 1 million billion. I am breaking the &quot;law&quot; right now because I need the diversion and I'll do it till I get called on it because I am still more productive than approx. 95% of the rest of the people here. They'll never get called on it because they knit and read books instead which = bullshit.

Mittens please, size medium bright pink and yellow.

Thanks

[topmade]

Originally posted by Alterac
I like masturbating at work
You sick bastard, you're never touching my pc again.

[Alterac]

Originally posted by topmade

You slick bastard, you're never touching my penis again.