Internet at work

[Bernie52]

Hi everyone. Bit of a Friday question. My first one so but nervous :-). I have been working for my boss for nearly 16 months now and I (like everyone) go on the Internet at work. Not all the time but sometimes I like to have a good look around. I work hard for my boss and often work late so therefore sometimes I might spend longer than a lunchtime on the net. Someone 'grassed' on me to the hr team and now I've been invited to a disciplinary about my internet usage. Can I get fired for going on the Internet at work? Everyone else seems to!?! Really worried.

Unless you work flexitime, working 10-11 hours a day to compensate for 2 hours web surfing is irrelevant.

When I worked in HR we dismissed an employee after telephone records showed she'd spent 15 hours of the month on the phone to her boyfriend. I would imagine the same principle would apply to Internet use-if you are not working in the period you are being paid to work it's gross misconduct.

You say you work 10/11 hours instead of 8- are you receiving pay for this or TOIL? Bebside if work feel you are messing about online to justify being at work late in order to benefit, because IT and TOIL are related to pay this would be fraud. This most certainly would result in dismissal.

Have you got a union representative? If not, get one and speak to them honestly before the HR meeting so they can best support you.

Bebside?! Because obviously! sorry feeding the baby at the same time!

I tend to be too busy to even touch the internet so although I moan about it it's probably a good thing.

I agree fluffy.

OP maybe it's time for you to consider whether your role is right for you. If you feel you need to fill the working day with 2 hrs of browsing, its a sign you are bored and under challenged in what you are doing. Maybe this could be a watershed to change jobs anyway.

I worked with someone who did internet banking at work, i have heard talk of those of do online grocery shopping.
it is exceedingly frowned upon, and rightly so.
you are paid to work

You say you work 10/11 hours instead of 8- are you receiving pay for this or TOIL?

Maybe if the OP wasn't on the Internet for 2hrs a day they wouldn't be at work for 10-11 hours and actually there for the 8 hrs they are paid.

I think the key here is that you haven't yet been there for 2yrs.

OP do let us know how you got on

Don't panic, go with an open mind. Be aware that you need to show that you now understand that it's inappropriate and apologise.

In a previous role I used the Internet for casual use and was advised it was being monitored... However as my colleague who did the exact same job as me did the same there wasn't much they could do about it.

I did from then on though limit my browsing to quiet times (lunch or just after), before work started and also on my phone. I also made sure I stayed late when required and did all my work and more.

Some companies are fine about browsing on Internet, some block certain sites.

For you point out which sites are work related and needed (as that's valid for your work) and which ones weren't and then apologise and never do it again. Hopefully they will be lenient this time round.

I do wonder though with tablets/phones with Internet access why you haven't used those for more personal use whilst at work.

I now need access to my hotmail at work to do legitimate business testing.

You'd think I was starting up my own porno/gambling site from the hoops I'm having to jump through. I'm a reasonably senior employee who's been there for more than 10 years. However I just have to compose a neutral face and keep specifying why it's required - I suppose it's good that they are taking internet safety seriously.

Any news OP?