My secretary recently asked me to try to clean up her laptop so it ran better. She asked me to clean out some old files, defragment it, and generally try to make it work better. ( I had mentioned to her I have a maintenance routine I perform on my computer to keep it running well). During the course of cleaning out her old files, I ran across a picture of her in a very revealing pose.
I haven't said anything to her about it. Should I? If so, what should I say?
2006-12-13 06:23:55 · 25 answers · asked by Frank M 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Whether or not this picture was intended for you to see can only be answered by your secretary, but there will be a record of the file being accessed while you were in possession of the laptop.
I would tell her that you came across some personal information in her old files that she should take care of for her own security, and if it is a company laptop, you are required by company policy to remind her the equipment is not provided for personal use.
You do not need to show her how to retrieve or view these files, there are a hundred and one places online that will guide users to do their own "housekeeping".
Oh, and make a record of that conversation, AND never touch that laptop again.
2006-12-13 08:23:36 · answer #1 · answered by navymom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would not mention it at all. however. I would show her how to clean out her files and defrag so this will never happen again. I expect she never gave it a second thought about that picture being on her computer.
You being her boss should not be doing her work on her computer if she is your secertary she should already know how to do these sort of thing would'nt you think?
Now, the more I type the more I am getting suspicious of the whole thing. I am sure you checked and made sure she was qualified for this Job, so there for she should know how to clean her files and defrag, Heck, I am a blond and know how to do that. Unless she is got her head in between her knees trying to get to the bottom of things. I expect there was really an motive between getting you too do HER JOB.
2006-12-13 06:51:33 · answer #2 · answered by ms_swampy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No , don't say anything , if you do than you change the relationship to being awkward and embarassing rather than casual and comfortable....unless you don't like her or respect her. But I believe you do so I would suggest you don't say anything other wise what would be the point to tell her? there is nothing you can say about it because your her boss and in the workplace any questions could be borderline sexual harrassment/ bad out come for anybody.
2006-12-13 06:35:57 · answer #3 · answered by pmal079 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some people who answered you are so misguided! Work computers are the property of your employer, therefore, what's on them IS the company's business. I wouldn't mention it to her, but for her own safety and future (you may not always be her boss) I'd send a reminder email or memo on the expectations / rules of the company regarding personal use / files on the company's computer's.
2006-12-13 08:26:16 · answer #4 · answered by baby1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no reason to tell her... she knew that the picture was there at some point (even if she thought she might have deleted it.) It would be different if it were a situation like "Oh my God! I think Bill took pictures of you at the Christmas party when you were drunk and passed out!" but clearly, the pics were on her computer and she was aware of them. Telling her would just embarrass her.
2006-12-13 14:29:00 · answer #5 · answered by Heidi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it is her own personal laptop, say nothing to her about it as it is her business only as to what is on it.
If it is a company provided laptop, delete the picture and say nothing. The absence of the photo should send a message that it was inappropriate content. If she then brings it up discuss it only in terms of company policy regarding content.
2006-12-13 07:04:03 · answer #6 · answered by sloop_sailor 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why are you even doing her non-work related work for her? I thought it was a secretary's job to take care of the boss? Something tells me she left the picture there on purpose--who would let anyone, let alone their boss, access to their private computer with something like that on it? I think there is more to this story than you are letting on or there is more that you are in denial about....
2006-12-13 06:35:09 · answer #7 · answered by beetlejuice49423 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
absolutely not! Computers have turned into very personal items--mentioning it would be an invasion of privacy! You should just let it go. She obviously trusted you enough to give you her computer, if it really was an accident, i'd let it go.
2006-12-13 06:32:53 · answer #8 · answered by should be working 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, you should not say anything, if it dosen't mean anything just forget that anything happen, move on and stop thinking about it!! it might ruin if you have a special relationship with someone!
2006-12-13 06:42:36 · answer #9 · answered by josie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stay silent. No reason to embarass her- unless you are some kind of jerk, which it sounds like your not too far gone- at least you are asking for advice. Drop it, end of story.
2006-12-13 06:28:08 · answer #10 · answered by rottymom02 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋