Is it acceptable to use a computer at work for personal stuff?
By KSmith526
@KSmith526 (58)
United States
November 19, 2010 12:55pm CST
I work for Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) as a TA and many times there is no work to be done. I'm on the computer doing personal stuff such as responding to questions on myLot! Is this really a good idea since LAUSD owns the computer?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@rog0322 (2829)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
23 Nov 10
Hi KSmith,
If the company forbade such use then don't do it. In our workplace, the policy on the use of computers is a bit relaxed as long as we accomplish the assigned tasks.
With the use of computers, what it takes to type for one hour can be accomplished in thirty seconds or less (Ctrl A, Ctrl C, Ctrl V, edit a few letters, Ctrl P, Enter, job done!). Thus the extra time we have.
@muchmoremoola (33)
• Canada
22 Nov 10
I wouldn't think that it would be OK with them. Even if it's slow there must be something else you can do. Just remember someday they could check your history on your computer and see what you are doing. If you are using it for personal use they could fire you. I know some people think what's the harm if the sites are good sites but would you want your employee doing that? There must be filing or something else that needs to be done. Before the internet a staff member always found something to do even if you helped out another department.
@KSmith526 (58)
• United States
23 Nov 10
Unfortunately, the school where I am consists of students under expulsion from traditional schools. It's so boring because they refuse to do work and goof off all day long. I don't go to harmful sites, that would be completely stupid. Our school is also located in an office building off campus from a traditional school due to the nature of our program.
@icehut (508)
•
19 Nov 10
You should ask the School's IT department about their acceptable use policy. Since it's a school environment, there "should" be greater restrictions on what you can or can't do. However, if the IT department know what they're doing, they will have already blocked access to sites that are deemed inappropriate for access from school computers. But do check with the school's policies - a breach is enough ground for termination.
@KSmith526 (58)
• United States
23 Nov 10
The computers that are physically at a school due have blocked access to sites, you are correct. The computer that we have is a laptop owned by the district with an Internet card from Verizon with unlimited access to the Internet. The computer does have a password to keep from downloading any programs.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
23 Nov 10
I'm sure that because it is a government job (right?), it is really not acceptable. Even though it is only myLot, I'm sure they can use that as grounds for termination if they ever decide to pursue it.
Now having said that. I also do myLot at work. But I work for a private company. They don't allow social network sites like FB and Twitter, etc., but they have not blocked myLot yet. So, in the meantime I will continue to respond to discussions if I get bored at work.
@KSmith526 (58)
• United States
23 Nov 10
Solitaire is my favorite game. I believe it all depends on the company you are working for. LAUSD has an administrative password that is approximately 20 characters long so you can't download any information without prior approval.
