Web Surfing at Work Could Cost You Money

[Sequoia]

Jan. 19, 2006 — You know that violating corporate ethics policies with inappropriate e-mails or Internet use can cost you your job, but did you know that seemingly innocent shopping online and e-mailing friends at work could cost you big bucks?

This is a warning for all of you who surf the Net on personal business while you're at work: Up to 80 percent of employers monitor their workers — your e-mail and the sites you go to, everything from your online shopping to your dot-com dating — all while you're on the clock.

As a boss, I can tell you that odds are pretty good that someone has monitored your surfing. But first, a confession:

For a week-long experiment I conducted on "Good Morning America" with four of my employees at Women For Hire, we found that each employee spent an average of two hours a day on personal e-mails and Internet activity. Since I know that all these women are highly efficient and produce great results, I am not concerned about their time management.

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http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Careers/story?id=1519053

[undeterred]

1. I worked at one place where webmail was unavailable

No hotmail, no yahoo, no aol, etc.

People didn't like it at first, but everyone got more done.

[maxsolomon]

2. my brother has email, but no internet

he's a govmint employee

i have complete & fast access, and i am wasting time RIGHT NOW.

[Nikki Stone 1]

3. I just assume that everything at work is monitored

I send political stuff to people's at home email addies, not work.

[FormerDittoHead]

4. Those internet cellphones are probably being used more and more! n/t

[BushOut06]

5. Not to mention the government is watching also

Don't forget that - even if your boss isn't, Big Brother is.

[northzax]

6. well, you know, back when I was working

I was in the office 10-12 hours a day, and billing for that time, so if they didn't let me send personal emails, I never would have sent any. And I think they understood that.

[iconoclastNYC]

7. I work at a place where certain employees are on AIM all day

Which is even worse than emailing or web surfing.