Using work internet for personal use / myLot

Ballymena, Northern Ireland

March 27, 2016 9:27am CST

I was reading something earlier that reminded me of something that I saw online a few years ago. While most people are aware that internet usage at work should be limited, there was one person who was so addicted to the forum that I used to frequent that she was sacked from one job because she spent all of her working day on there. She got another job and a few days later was posting looking for advice because they were telling her that she would lose her job if she didn't stay off the website. She wanted people to be sympathetic with her but most people basically told her she was an idiot and that work was more important than the internet. I think she genuinely seemed to have a problem and was addicted but there does seem to be people who do take things too far. In my work, recently someone was sacked for using a work computer to search for porn - I mean why would you? If you work, do you use work computers for personal internet? I rarely do - maybe an occasional Google search but that's what my phone is for...

19 people like this

15 responses

Jabo

@jaboUK (64354)

• United Kingdom

27 Mar 16

That woman sounds very silly - you go to work to work - that's what your employers pay you for.

2 people like this

pahak627

@pahak627 (4558)

• Philippines

28 Mar 16

During working hours, we have to focus on what we are doing. Maybe she is just addicted to the internet. There must have been something wrong with her.

1 person likes this

Jacqui

@euphie (573)

• Ballymena, Northern Ireland

28 Mar 16

I think that was part of the problem - clearly she was addicted but didn't quite realise that it was an addiction same as other things and probably needed some help

1 person likes this

RK Finnell

@irishidid (8687)

• United States

27 Mar 16

My cellphone has no internet connection (my choice) and stays in my pocket except to check the time when I am at work.

1 person likes this

Jacqui

@euphie (573)

• Ballymena, Northern Ireland

27 Mar 16

I have an iPhone but I'm the same, it stays in my bag and I don't sit and text people while I'm supposed to be working.

frances r

@Dragonairy1 (1722)

• Newcastle Upon Tyne, England

27 Mar 16

We can't get normal internet at work, I think for this reason

1 person likes this

Jacqui

@euphie (573)

• Ballymena, Northern Ireland

28 Mar 16

My work isn't too bad - we can even get on Facebook and that but I never use it for personal things - always log onto Facebook on my phone

DianneN

@DianneN (247186)

• United States

27 Mar 16

I am a retired teacher. Our computers were monitored by the computer center, and we were told not to use them for personal reasons, unless during our lunch time. They were able to view whatever we were doing, so I never did. Besides, I had no time for that, even if I was tempted.

1 person likes this

Jacqui

@euphie (573)

• Ballymena, Northern Ireland

28 Mar 16

I can imagine that teachers don't get many breaks. I did work experience as a teacher but knew it wasn't a career choice for me. I have great admiration for teachers

1 person likes this

Sherry

@norcal (4889)

• Franklinton, North Carolina

27 Mar 16

At my last job, which I worked at for 14 years, they had access to the Internet blocked except for a few websites that were necessary for work. They used a program called Barracuda. I would not have surfed the web, but I would have loved to be able to listen to the radio on the Internet. Radio reception was terrible inside that building.

1 person likes this

Jacqui

@euphie (573)

• Ballymena, Northern Ireland

28 Mar 16

We have a DAB radio in work which is handy. One of the guys listens to another station on his PC but he's a senior manager so I guess that's a bit different from us on the bottom rung lol

1 person likes this

suzzy3

@suzzy3 (8341)

•

28 Mar 16

While at work it is wrong to use the internet for personal use. If you are lucky enough to have a job you should not put it at risk. After all they are paying you for working not for doing your own thing.

Jacqui

@euphie (573)

• Ballymena, Northern Ireland

29 Mar 16

I agree - you're there to work, not sit on the internet and surf Facebook

1 person likes this

suzzy3

@suzzy3 (8341)

•

29 Mar 16

@euphie Quite right .

1 person likes this

Jennifer

@LovingMyBabies (85288)

• Valdosta, Georgia

27 Mar 16

I used to work in an office and I wouldn't go on their computer and do something for myself. Only work related things.

1 person likes this

besweet

@besweet (9859)

• Ireland

27 Mar 16

When we are at work, we should be focused on our job. If I am taking a break, I will use my phone to browse online but never the work computer (even though no one is checking my browsing history). I really can't explain why someone might visit adult websites from work.

1 person likes this

Arthur Chappell

@arthurchappell (44998)

• Preston, England

10 Apr 16

most jobs I have had forbid personal use of the internet at work, though managers seem to exempt themselves from the rules

Marlina

@marlina (154131)

• Canada

2 Apr 16

I am retired but if I was still working, I would not take a gamble on losing my job by using the work computer inappropriately.

Macarrosel

@Macarrosel (7498)

• Philippines

2 Apr 16

when I was working, we were not allowed to use work Internet for personal use. And that's an office policy.

Anne Johnston

@AnneEJ (4917)

• Dollard-Des-Ormeaux, Quebec

4 Apr 16

I have been retired for many years, and when I was working, we could only use the internet for company e-mail. I think spending time on the computer for personal reasons while at work is equal to stealing from your employer - you are being paid for time you are not working.

@acelawrites

@acelawrites (19272)

• Philippines

2 Apr 16

Office/work computers should not be used for personal matters.

Jacqui

@euphie (573)

• Ballymena, Northern Ireland

3 Apr 16

Quite a few people where I work do browse the internet at lunchtime and that. I don't normally but occasionally I will check something online but try not to make a habit of it - that's what my mobile is for.

1 person likes this

luisadannointed

@luisadannointed (6185)

• Philippines

31 Mar 16

No I don't. I really remind myself always not to get anything that does not belongs to me, because someday I don't want people to do the same to me when I already have my own business. I have problem going to work, it stress me out and want to quit my job... but the only thing that makes me realized is that I need a job so why should I have to throw out what I have.... and I thought it is because I don't value what I have, and I am not responsible enough to take care of my family who needs financial support. So I think the addiction that she has has the same effect... she has to be responsible of her life, be mature and don't get too consume on what's makes her happy in a period of time... she must think of the future. Website can't bring her food and can give her money in case she had a health problem. I think we need to be mature and responsible enough.