Just got a memo from the head honcho in Information Technology (IT)--he's a really great guy. But unfortunately, the memo points out the rules for using the internet or other communication systems on the job; some of these rules include avoiding posting on all discussion forums. I didn't know that!

From now on, I'll have to post at home.

Don't be silly, Pete. Rules are meant to be broken.

I work for a computer systems company with 5000+ employees, and the IT guys that wander the halls think they are God. Our company has strict policies on internet use, but, somehow, I imagine the IT guys spend most of their day chatting on the computer and surfing IT Forums.

Thanks, Steele.

I'll have to keep my nose clean on this one.

well all work and no play makes, the employees a dumb employees

We are not supposed to do anything fun, but I do. I have to brighten my day somehow. I was erasing all my cookies and they figured out that a lot of people are doing that. You can't erase them but I don't care.

I still post here, look at bike sites, ect. I still get my work done and that should be all that matters.

Reporting from cubicle hell.......

Redhed

I had to laugh when I read your post. My company has the same rule. However, my boss doesn't. I am a 14 year employee who gets a load of work done every day, I have not taken a sick day in six years, and I am told my attitude lends to the general well being of our office. My boss understands that diversions are necessary to maintain a sane attitude!

Don't get yourself fired, but don't take the IT people too seriously either!

Pete Clark? Wasn't there a track racer named Pete Clark? Maybe it was Tony Clark?

Too many facilities people think they own the building, and too many IT/MIS people think they own the computer network. I am glad to have worked for small companies or small, standalone divisions of larger companies.

Being an IT guy this is only applys when caught. Unless you work for a large corp that has time to go through firewall logs (90% don't) just don't be caught with your pants down as it were. We only really enforce rules when I know they are broken.

Just a note not ALL it guys are dicks.

That could be the toughest job I'd ever love!

I had to do a double take when I read your post.

On first read I thought you were a 14 year old who hadn't taken a sick day in 6 years. I wondered what kind of company was hiring 8 year olds.

The more I think about it, here is how I see it--

Why would they put a T3 line right in front of me if they didn't want me to use it? My company has its own intranet, so there is really no reason that everyone needs access to an outside connection....unless they want me to surf. Am I abusing my privileges? You betcha.

I can manage both work and mails. Whatever I do is no more than Alt-Tab away and while I'm waiting for the network and/or database to give me my data, I can fill in with other things. Besides, I start at 7.30 many mornings so there is a bit of slack time built into the day anyway. It depends on the company though. I worked for some stockbrokers in London and they were a pain in the butt. Company I'm with now are relatively relaxed. They expect the work to be done, but the cut some slack as well.

With the exception of internet extremes like downloading doubtful content, we are pretty well self-regulating, which is a nice place to be at. Noone here abuses the system. The rules are common sense and are often necessary for legal requirements, that sort of thing.

That caught me as well.

Geesh, next thing you know they'll be enforcing all those office rules like:

and other frivilous sections of the Employee Manual.

Most people think I am 14 years old before they meet me face to face Then they realize I am a 14 year old in a 41 year body!

This thread has proved to be an enlightening one. Let's hope more I.T. people add input.

I wonder how many people have "auto hide" enabled on their tool bar so it's easier to conceal that you are logged on to the internet when people stop by your cube?:confused:

My company (large American based corporation) disabled the use of all of the major web-based e-mail sites. This was after someone downloaded a virus infected e-mail via one and infected the internal network.

The company firewalls also prohibit the use of chat like facilities.

Apart from that I'm allowed to surf without any hassle, when something needs doing it gets done first. Anyway I sometimes find stuff useful for my job

Just read my company's p and p, it is just the "intranet" I'm not suppose to use for my personal bennefit. As long as I am not stalking, causing general mayhem, they're okay.

Now watch, they'll shut me down next week.