I have a friend that lives in Georgia. He got fired for "inappropriate internet usage." He was on a break and decided to check his email and update is queue on Netflix. That was it. No porn sites or anything like that. There is no place in his employer's handbook that said they could not use the internet during breaks. Was he treated fairly? Should he do something about it?
Thanks for your help!
2007-01-23 08:53:57 · 11 answers · asked by Lana 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
Thank you all for your answers! For more clarification: He is a very good worker; shows up on time, stays full shift, has worked overtime many times, etc. He was also NOT given any warning. That's where I feel he was robbed. He also feels that his supervisor was out to get him. It seems like a lame excuse to fire someone, IMO. Thanks again for all of your help!
2007-01-23 09:30:37 · update #1
Er Yes - the computer, network and internet access belongs to the company. Bit unfair as he was on a break.
I suggest that he goes back and apologises and asks for his position to be reviewed - a letter might do. State apologies and misunderstanding that he thougth it was ok whilst on a break etc - won't happen again - his fault etc.
The company is obviously monitoring internet use. NB in the UK this is treated as theft - so he got away lightly!
but if he went out the door kicking and screaming there is no chance.
2007-01-23 09:01:07 · answer #1 · answered by Biz Guru 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like someone was looking for an excuse to get rid of him. If he used the Internet for anything other than work, it is inappropriate. But the punishment is way too harsh for the crime. The boss should just say "don't do that anymore." If people got fired for anything inappropriate there would be no employees.
2007-01-23 09:01:43 · answer #2 · answered by regerugged 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most states are hire and fire at will...so employers can fire you for literally any reason they want. It sounds like there is more to the st pry than what he told you...or perhaps he had a bad track record and work and the employer used his Internet usage as an excuse to let him go.
2007-01-23 08:59:30 · answer #3 · answered by chick33 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely! The company owns the computer, as well as the internet access, and if they haven't explicitly authorized personal use of it, then it's against the rules.
The employee handbook doesn't have to clarify that it's against the rules.
It's very much the same as not having to say that the office supplies there belong to the company...If you use them for personal business, then you're stealing them from the company.
2007-01-23 09:03:02 · answer #4 · answered by abfabmom1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If Georgia is an at-will state (most are) then they can fire him for any or no reason at all.
I would check to see if there is a prescribed company process for termination that must be followed, such as a written warning, then a suspension, then termination. He is more likely to get somewhere along that track.
2007-01-23 08:59:42 · answer #5 · answered by Phoenix, Wise Guru 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is possible that a website could be set up to show different content at certain times ... I've never heard of an instance of that happening though, and given that the Internet is international and that time zone exist, it would be a pretty silly thing to do.
2016-03-28 23:11:52 · answer #6 · answered by Kelly 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell him to check with his local Employment Security Commission office. He might have a case against this employer.
2007-01-23 09:00:45 · answer #7 · answered by curiousnktown 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes they can. If he was using the internet during work hours for personal business and not doing his work.
Lisa
2007-01-23 11:05:58 · answer #8 · answered by Lisa 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yepper he can indeed be terminated for using the work computer for something other than work related stuff
2007-01-23 08:59:14 · answer #9 · answered by sunbun 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, if it's a work computer.
2007-01-23 09:02:05 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋