If you're a boss, would you fire one person if he's/she's playing solitaire on the computer?

Question

I heard on GameSpot's HotSpot and Rich Gallop said:

"New York city mayor Michael Boomberg fired the city employee after finding a man playing solitaire on his computer at work."

Answer 1

It depends on when the employee was doing it and if he had received a warning about it before. The first time it was caught, I think a discussion with the employee is justified with a warning not to do it again. If the employee persists and continues to do it despite being warned, then it may make sense.

Keep in mind though that the employees productivity and contribution levels may also affect the decision. If the employee is highly productive, very valuable to the organization and really does a lot of great work, the playing of solitaire could just be a quick way to relieve stress or clear the head before jumping into the next project. Or it could signify that the person just isn't challenged enough and needs more challenging things to tackle. If I were the employer, I would have to look at what kind of person it is and decide if this was just a stress relief from a productive person or is it an unproductive person who is goofing off way too much on company time.

Answer 2

That depends on how many times you've had to discuss this with the person in question. If it's a repeated offense and one that has been discussed and documented, then termination is an option.

My first step would be to remove the software from the computer, taking away the temptation. If the s/w came back and the person continued to play the game after repeated warnings, there may not be another option. Make sure that steps taken are documented along the way to ensure that the action is validated.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

Is this person completing tasks that are given? What is this persons value to my company? Would I be able to replace this person on a moments notice?

Just a few questions. Other thing is, are you sure that this one person is the only one, or just the only one that you have caught an if you do know that others are doing it and someone finds out, your in trouble.

One way to handle the situation is to give a written notice that if the action is not stopped, termination will be granted. You have to make it obvious to everyone that playing solitaire or any other game on a work computer is unacceptable.

Answer 4

You are hired to perform duties in relation to your employment and should solitaire be not part of that employment, Yes you should be fired. Some one is paying you a wage to do a job and when you are distracted from that purpose, you are no longer a value to the employer.

Answer 5

Nope... I would submit a written warning first and then remove solitaire from the computer and all other games.

I would then filter out Internet game usage by using web sense.

Answer 6

No, but I would certainly call the person into my office and show my displeasure and ask it to stop. You are there to work and even on your break time you are using company equipment (computer, etc) It also falls into the category of using the office phone for personal use.

Answer 7

no way. I'm doing Yahoo! Answers right now at work. It's stupid to fire someone for doing that. If that's all they ever did then its okay but if they're just playing it to kill time or whatever then forget about it

Answer 8

I would! Because I'm not paying them to play during work hours. I expect all my employees to use their time wisely, because failure to do so speaks volumes about that person. I don't like slackers, so I would fire their sorry behinds!

Answer 9

depending on how many times the employee has been told not to do so... or if there's a lack of work.... it's personal preference....

but its been recently ratified by the supreme court that you can NOT be fired for surfing the internet.

Answer 10

Including myself?