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It's another glorious Friday! I know everyone has been complaining about the cold, but for the record? As I type this it is 18 degrees, 5 degrees with the wind chill. I've managed to keep the winter coat in the closet (I wore just a sweater yesterday), but I'm thinking I might need to bring it out soon..
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Work has been interesting these past few weeks. First we were asked to sign a non-compete/confidentiality agreement. I didn't find that too unusual, but things got a bit more intriguing the following week.
Next, it was a phone usage policy limiting ALL phone use (business phone AND personal cell phone) to emergencies only during work hours. In fact, it even dictates that when we receive a call on our personal cell phone, we are to go to a "non-work" area to answer the call. Texting has also been banned.
Yesterday? A new internet usage policy. Personal use of the internet is limited to the lunch hour (noon-1PM) only. We used to have a fairly liberal internet usage policy - a discretionary type policy - not now! In fact, we've been told that reports are now being given to the managers on a weekly basis that include individual usage time and all URL's visited and that disciplinary actions will be taken. Being in a "professional" position, I find this a bit demeaning, but also believe it is likely being used as a tool to weed out "undesirable" employees.
What does that mean for me? In these difficult economic times, I cannot afford to lose my job over internet usage. You'll likely be seeing a bit less of me in the comments as I'll have fewer hours of access. I'll try to catch up on the weekends, but if you don't see me it's nothing personal.
Next, it was a phone usage policy limiting ALL phone use (business phone AND personal cell phone) to emergencies only during work hours. In fact, it even dictates that when we receive a call on our personal cell phone, we are to go to a "non-work" area to answer the call. Texting has also been banned.
Yesterday? A new internet usage policy. Personal use of the internet is limited to the lunch hour (noon-1PM) only. We used to have a fairly liberal internet usage policy - a discretionary type policy - not now! In fact, we've been told that reports are now being given to the managers on a weekly basis that include individual usage time and all URL's visited and that disciplinary actions will be taken. Being in a "professional" position, I find this a bit demeaning, but also believe it is likely being used as a tool to weed out "undesirable" employees.
What does that mean for me? In these difficult economic times, I cannot afford to lose my job over internet usage. You'll likely be seeing a bit less of me in the comments as I'll have fewer hours of access. I'll try to catch up on the weekends, but if you don't see me it's nothing personal.
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I think the most important policy my employer seems to have overlooked is the one limiting cubicle loitering. Tuesday, Norm (of "Have a lovely Autumn Day" fame) came to my cubicle and started rehearsing his lines from the play he is performing in next month. Seriously. Just walked up to my cubicle and started rehearsing his lines. Hello? Someone please explain to me why that can't be policy-ed away!
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I came across an interesting blogging dynamic recently. Now, I have quite a few blogs that I read that are husband/wife or "significant other" (I hate that term) written. Another Suburban Mom and Hubman, Kahuna and Babushka, and Matt-Man and Schmoop come to mind. What did I stumble upon these past few weeks? Feuding spouses (actually, kind of one sided feuding) blogs. No, I'm not going to link them here - honestly I think morbid curiosity by a bunch of unknown bloggers might just send one of them over the edge - but it is kind of fascinating to watch.
I'd say, in a nutshell, it's what happens when one spouse starts blogging - developing those blogger relationships - and the other spouse holds on tight to preconceived notions regarding the EVIL internet and those preying women, trolling blogs, trying to steal husbands (DAMN you infidelity bloggers - you've ruined it for the rest of us - *gigglesnort*). She starts following him around, reading his comments, leaving her own snarkiness following his, then decides to publish a blog where she just loses her mind in quite a passive/aggressive manner. And these aren't 20-something folks either - these are grown-ups!
I'd say, in a nutshell, it's what happens when one spouse starts blogging - developing those blogger relationships - and the other spouse holds on tight to preconceived notions regarding the EVIL internet and those preying women, trolling blogs, trying to steal husbands (DAMN you infidelity bloggers - you've ruined it for the rest of us - *gigglesnort*). She starts following him around, reading his comments, leaving her own snarkiness following his, then decides to publish a blog where she just loses her mind in quite a passive/aggressive manner. And these aren't 20-something folks either - these are grown-ups!
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For those of you heading out of town for the holiday, Have a safe and wonderful trip! I'll be hanging out here - I think - but might just shock everyone and head off somewhere with Cam. We'll see!!
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28 comments:
How dare they get in the way of your Internet access? It's probably against your human rights or something you know! ;)
It's not something I've had to worry about too much as I'm the guy in charge of Net security, the firewall and any monitoring that goes on.
Mind you, it sounds like Something Is Going On, doesn't it?
Have a good weekend, whatever you get up to - sometimes it's nice just to veg for a couple of days :)
It's always odd when they launch into a frenzy of policies.
Whatever you choose to do over the Holiday, have a safe one.
Well that sucks!
Here's hoping she doesn't completely devolve on her blog. :)
Hope you have a great weekend with Cam
The internet policy here changes all the time. Sometimes I can get on a site, the next day...nope.
I miss you already....
OOOO the feuding spouses seems so interesting...and you did not link ...pout
I have the next 9 days off...cooking for 22 (should I make it 24?) and getting to see my Matt!
Management is always afraid that the internet is causing low productivity among employees. And, in some cases they may be right. And, it's not really possible to deal with people's internet usage individually cause they will all think they're being singled out, they go with blanket policies. Sucks.
I haven't come across the feuding spouses yet. That would be fun to watch. Almost as much fun as watching the neighbors go outside to argue. Why do they ALWAYS go outside?
And don't forget watching people argue in public. Like at the mall or a restaurant. That's always good times right there.
Well be good, my blog is prolly not the one that you wanna be looking at work,.
Laters
Nicey
internet policies are going to become a big workplace issue. as a worker it annoys me....as a boss...well... sometimes they are nice to have.
Policies schmolicies.
Now I want to go snooping on the feuding couples sites, but I'll refrain in case my increased level of internet activity goes noticed and my employer starts throwing policies all over us. Pfft.
I'm kind of lucky regarding internet policies, since I'm the network administrator for this area, and have almost complete control over what gets seen.
However, there are times when I'll get audited as well! For those times, it's nice to keep the "sniffer" running in order to detect those trace programs that start running at strange times!
Feuding partners via blogging?
You've gotta be kidding me, right?
Who on earth would really want to start some kind of fight or act out jealous rages online in front of countless unknown faces?
You gotta link some of these! I'd enjoy the laugh, even if it is at my own expense! *evil grin*
Have a great weekend Dana, and take care!
I think you nailed it on the head. It can be another tool to weed out an employee, when letting someone go becomes more and more difficult in legal terms.
Don't give them any ammunition, visit when you can.
I have no problem with people reading my blogs, or the feuding comments that Jorm and I leave. Relationships aren't perfect and if people didnt fight then there wouldnt be make up sex! So, read away....it won't "send me over the edge." I'm an adult and I can take. Oh, and by the way, I AM 20 something. Please don't make me 30 before I have to be. I have 7 months to go!
Interesting about your work....kind of makes you wonder what brought up all these changes....
The feuding blogs/comments....I always find it interesting what exactly IS out there in blogland. I certainly come across some very intriguing ones similar to what you described. Huh. You know?
Have a great wkend Dana!
Hey now. I'm a 20-something AND an "infidelity" blogger. I'm doubly screwed... ;)
Geeze, I'd love to say that the internet has brought people together--and in part, it has (or can)--but now it's a vehicle for passive-aggressive fighting? Too, too strange.
I've seen this...someone has been abusing the privileges at work and your company is clamping down so that they can legitimately fire someone on these grounds.
As for the feuding spouses, the very concept makes me laugh. I have already seen the theaterical version of feuding spouses with "The War of the Roses" so I don't need to see the cyber version. LOL
That sucks about your work policy. Ugh!
I used to work for a company that processed claims for Medicare and they had a very strict no internet for personal use at all rule that I broke 8 hours a day. :P
Work policies are tightening up all over the place. The general work marketplace is correcting itself.
I would have asked that dude that recited his lines for $10. That was how much my time would have been worth for me to listen to that....
The tighter they squeeze, the more gets through their fingers...
Ro, I knew I should have gotten a degree in computer science rather than in paralegal studies!
Anndi, I'm fairly certain this is the beginning of some economic layoffs.
RLL, I'll be surprised if we've seen the last of the show!
Like i said, you and Cam are welcome out here! Plenty of Turkey (and Tofurkey!) to go around!
Fabsterrant, the kid still tolerates me well - we'll see!
Bond, you know, I have been looking at airfare to Nashville!
Jay, watching people argue really can be entertaining, in an "I'm glad I'm not them" kind of way!
Nicey, actually, your blog hasnever been an issue!
Kat, I can certainly see both sides of this, but when you aren't an abuser, it sure sucks to have to set the example!
Random, your comment had me giggling!
Jormengrund, your wife is going to hate me for this, but I think you are the greatest!!
Jeff, this is one time that the situation seems pretty clear, and call me selfish, but I'd rather watch someone else be escorted out the door that to be the one being escorted!
gottaluvme3, I love it when a reader proves my point!
Vixen, the blogging world is very much a reflection on society. I am just amazed at what some people will put out ther, but then I'm sure there are those who say the same thing about me!
Ms. I, you EVIL infidelity blogger you! Now, if you were to comment on this person's blog I'm certain the world would come to an end. Shall I email you the link *giggle*
Nolens Volens, the cyber version is quite entertaining ... in a train wreck sort of way.
FF, as muchas there is a side of me that would love to "lose" my job (SHHHH! Don't tell anyone!), I'm afraid it might really negatively impact my family.
Flyinfox, Norm is such a wonderful addition to my workplace!
Buff, this is a family owned company and they have a tendency to do things kind of backwards. We'll see how this all pans out.
Jealousy and fear, two human traits that sometimes get out of hand.
More than half of the companies monitor internet usage, so be careful.
I can see banning cellphones in the workplace, They are kind of annoying in public places.
Have a great weekend! I am spending mine doing trainings and my CPR re-cert. Sooooo fun.
I think my company monitors internet use. I know they monitor emails. I work my ass off and put in more than the 40 hrs I am paid for so I use it within my reason.
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