Workplace taunts

[jeffuk2015]

Hello
I wonder if anybody could help with an employment issue I have.

Some weeks ago, possibly longer, I was tricked into looking at an inappropriate website on my own PC by two work colleagues. I can give further particulars on exactly how this happened if requested, but this does not seem necessary right now. I was not aware that what they told me to search for was a soft porn related.

Since then they have taunted me relentlessly about this on a daily basis and I would like it to stop. It is affecting my ability to produce work and to concentrate. How should I go about resolving this? Have already asked that they stop. Do I try to solve it informally with my manager or raise a formal grievance procedure. I am acutely aware of my company's policy on internet usage and that internet usage is monitored.

An additional complication is that my line manager is in a different part of the country and visits our site once per week.

This is making my life miserable so any thoughts or suggestions most welcome.

Thanks in advance.

Do you have a HR department they might be able to help

Put a grievance in.

Yes it is a large company. My overriding concern is misuse of company resources by browsing inappropriate sites. I was unknowingly duped into doing this, and don't now where I stand if I choose to make a complaint - is the onus on me given that it is my PC and therefore my responsibility. I consider what they did a terrible breach of trust, and just want the ridicule to stop.

Put a grievance in to HR. Explain the circumstances. If any other employees have witnessed the taunting then make a note of their names as well.

Be open and honest and I dont expect there will be a problem about the browsing. In fact not reporting this is more likely to be a problem as then the implication is that you knew what you were doing and are trying to hide it.

GnomeDePlume
Many thanks for your answer.

Yes, I assume that they engineered the situation so that they could bully you - even better would have been to have declared the misuse immediately but I would definitely do so now. I can't imagine many employers would regard one search of a dodgy site (i.e. no evidence of repeated searching) as seriously as they would bullying.

Grievance procedure

This is exactly why the greivence policy is there.

I would raise it with my line manager first and tell them you want to put a greivence in. You can do it via email and CC HR.

Keep it factual.