Is my company allowed to block me from viewing religious websites?

Question

I live in Houston and there are no good Christian radio stations around here, so I usually listen to a radio station in Humble Texas using my internet. I tried to listen to the radio station, but my company blocks the site and says it's because it's "religious". You also can not view a Bible online. Do they have the right to block this or is this against my Amended Rights to have this blocked? Would I win in a battle against my company to allow access to religious sites?

Answer 1

Your company can block you from all websites. You will lose if you go up against your company, it is their computer, their connection and their time you are using. Your 1st amendment rights are not being violated as no one is telling you what religion to practice, they are merely saying don't do it while on my clock.

And since when is listening to the radio a part of any religion. Now get off of yahoo and get back to work.

Answer 2

No to the first two questions and yes to your last one. Do me a favor and see if they block Wiccan, or the Islamic religions. Although since most atheists believe atheism isn't a religion, I can half-ways understand why. If you have the specific name of an organization, try using it as a key word and see what happens. If just might be figuring out how it's listed. If nothing comes up, you need to use the chain of command, allowing about a week to two weeks for them to respond. First thing you do is ask your parents to talk to the school librarian - it may be they overlooked it or it may be because the school computers had so much stuff on it, they deliberately chose not to include it. Both reasons are understandable. If they even so much as hint at discrimination, talk it over with your parents about whether or not you want to push the issue. If you do, have your parents make an appointment with your principal, and you go as well. Give them a respectful, polite ultimatum telling them they have two weeks to fix the problem or you will be writing an opinion piece for your newspaper, and plan on contacting the newspaper directly if it doesn't get printed. Don't be surprised if they don't print it - they deal in current events. Give the newspaper two weeks to investigate, then tell them they have two weeks or you'll contact a local tv station. You get the idea - the last resort being to hire a lawyer and sue. ETA: Just read your Additional Details and you got your answer. The public school system in Florida does not regard atheism as a religion, and as such are justified in blocking any websites. They are not showing discrimination because they allow people to access Wicca, Islam etc. websites. Sorry, I'm siding with the school.

Answer 3

Your company can block any website(s) they want.
And for any or no reason.

You wouldn't really have a leg to stand on.

Sounds like your company is being prudent by not allowing religious material to be viewed on company time.

After all... it's COMPANY time.

Answer 4

You don't have a case. They are permitted to block anything they want on the internet and they have good reason to do this. Why should they encourage any religious study or otherwise that would take away from your work productivity. You could simply buy yourself a radio and find a station and play it quietly. I don't know many work places that don't allow you to do that. The computers/internet etc are their property and for company use.
I do realize people still get away with an awful lot but they shouldn't be wasting work time regardless.

Answer 5

Can you wear head phones while listening to your music? Are other employees allowed to listen to whatever they want to? As far as the Bible website well if you are reading when you should be working it is the same as taking their money for nothing. Which would go against Christian Morales. But if you are viewing these sites while you are on your breaks than yes I would agree with you that it is a violation of your freedom. Remember that Jesus taught us to give unto Cesar what is Cesars. In this case your time on the job belongs to your boss. I hope that you can find a way to compromise without compromising your faith. If you can wear headphones than I would say that would solve the radio concern. They can't argue the point if it is not disturbing anyone. Especially if others are allowed to listen to whatever music they want. I'll be praying for you.

Answer 6

Frankly, if I go into a placed of business, and have to put up with your christian music, that to me is an irritation. The post office here has it playing all the damn time, and as a non christian, I should not be forced to listen to crappy jesus love songs when I need to come get a package or a few stamps.. You do not have the "right" to access anything on a computer you do not personally own, period. Many businesses do not like employees streaming things, because usually company internet plans get charged by the amount of data coming in and out, and you'd be costing them money just to hear your music. Maybe you can try the Post Office for your jesus fix if they are as backwards as the one here...

Answer 7

As many have said already, it's their computer, their Internet access, and they have every right to block any non-work-related sites they choose.

Bring your own bible from home to read during your lunch break, if it's that important to you.

Or is that just too much trouble for you?


And what's with "Amended Rights"? Do you, by chance, meant AMENDMENT? As in the Amendments to the Constitution?

You were hired to do certain things at work, and you're paid to do those things, so why are you thinking of stealing bandwidth and time from your employer? This is not any different, ethically, from taking office supplies for personal use at home.

Answer 8

Your company can block any websites that it chooses. I work in an IT department and can tell you that usually we block listening to radio stations online because it eats up so much bandwidth, not because of the 'type' of music.

Companies can block anything that they decide is non-work related and the radio stations and personal sites we choose to visit definitely go into that category.

Answer 9

Legally, yes. But not because it is religiously related. Personnel are generally not allowed to use company equipment (including computers and the internet) for personal use with at work. If these web sites are not work related, they can block them as well as any others not directly related to work...

Answer 10

They have the right to block you off the Internet completely if they want. What they will say is that you are there to work, not have a religious experience (meaning they don't want the hassle of someone else complaining about what you are listening to). It isn't against your rights, because you are not in the privacy of your own home doing it. No, most likely you won't win this battle.