~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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..
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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!!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
