Now I have a great poll topic!

[Todash]

I'm one of those weirdo's who thinks when at work you should be working. Not on e-bay, or Facebook, or surfing the net. I also don't think you should be having texting conversations while at work. (I absolutely hate having to wait while an employee continues personal texts while I - the customer - wait.)

In my opinion, this equates to theft of time.....and time is money.

To me, it completely depends, especially when it's brain work. Sometimes when you're working on a problem, pulling your mind away from it for a bit seems to help. It's kind of like "sleeping on it." Whatever delivers results, I say.

Of course, to make that work you have to be able to objectively and honestly look at your own work habits. It has to matter to you whether you're doing a good job.

[Shasta]

. . .I'm the type that will speak out against anything that goes against company policy. I'll speak out against anything that I feel is wrong or harmful. Usually I stand alone . . . but I don't care. Usually after I take a stand many will come to me and thank me. This pisses me off. Don't thank me . . . stand with me. Or, do something. So many people just piss and moan and don’t do jack.

. . .forgive me . . .had to make a stand today and this thread made me have a flashback, which has me raving like a banshee.

No need to forgive. I'm the exact same way and this has happened more times to me than I care to count.

[Shasta]

Scott - I'm thinking that's the plan of action I'm going to take. It will be more like, "Come on, Jorge! No one wants to see that, man!"

Jojo - If no one could see it I would mind my own business. The problem I see here is that the girl it really offends has a view to this guy's computer all day and it really freaks her out.

Nadine - I do like the note idea. Under consideration.

Autumn - I'm quite sure he can't do it at home. He seems like a fairly controlled man by his wife. I'm amazed no one has said anything, either, but this is a strange, strange little company!

[Shasta]

PS He sounds creepy. Who watches porn in public? Yuck.

Patricia - RIGHT???? I really liked him before this but now I'm a bit creeped out too. Not because he watches porn - who cares? But because he feels free to do it at WORK in a building full of women!!!

Kingricefan (Don't know how you feel about me putting your name here so you're going by your handle!) - NO SKMB??? NOOOO!!!! Oh wait, it's okay. I have my phone. And, actually, the one thing I feel okay about using the SKMB at work is this -my CEO always says he doesn't care if we're in the office or not, as long as our jobs get done. I ALWAYS get my job done AND I'm in the office! I also am on salary and spend most of my evening hours dealing with my team in China so I don't feel so bad about the SKMB thing. I'm liking the note idea more and more. At first it seemed a little cowardly but I think it really may be the best way to save face for everyone and let everyone keep their jobs.

AnnaMarie - I would hurt someone if they ignored me for a text as a customer. I had a meeting yesterday and the person I met with took a personal phone call right in the middle. Then she started texting. I was pretty pissed. I would never go on the SKMB or send a text in the middle of a meeting. Nuts!

[Todash]

If co-workers are intimidated enough not to enter a work area, then this is a problem and he has created a hostile work environment. I would leave an anonomous note stating that his porn viewing while on company time is against company policy and a theft of company money as he's doing it when he should be working (i.e. he's getting paid to watch porn) and if it doesn't stop he will be reported to HR. If it continues, then report his *ss! Shasta, you must also be prepared that your HR person may also prohibit any use of company computers usage outside of the normal work things off limits, so you may have to stop using yours to come here to the SKMB. It sucks, but what's good for the goose............ Us SKMB members may not be porn stars (I'm not speaking for everyone), but it is outside of normal work usage.

It is, but most companies tolerate a certain amount of that as long as it doesn't adversely impact technical resources (i.e., streaming a lot of YouTube videos, which sucks bandwidth big time) or productivity.

Porn, however, is a huge no-no because it exposes the company to lawsuits. No company I've ever worked for would tolerate porn viewing for any time at all. In a lot of places, being caught = immediate termination.

Oh ... I just remembered something. I worked for a startup several years ago, and our main IT guy told me that one of the people who worked there was viewing porn (he saw it on the logs ... do you not have an IT department, by the way???). He is one of those guys who takes matters into his own hands, so he talked to this guy and basically said "Look, I'm giving you a heads up. These sites were flagged in our logs. You can't do this at work. I'm not reporting you now, but this exposes the company to lawsuits. So if I see it again, I'm going to have to report you." It worked.

[~Ally~]

Who said it's a "he"?

Shasta did, in her original post.

[Shasta]

(he saw it on the logs ... do you not have an IT department, by the way???).

We don't have an IT department. Or an HR. Or a receptionist.

I have no idea how this company makes some of the most famous cosmetics in the world but it does. We have, like, 15 people.

[hossenpepper]

So the problem is the porn wasn't any good?

[mjs9153]

Yeah,IT should have flagged the guy long ago..guess am old fashioned,but work means work to me,not play or do whatever the hell you feel like.Hate to cast stones at the younger set,but as far as computers and cellphones go,it seems to be a generational thing..have had younger co workers who constantly facebook,twitter,text,etc..not their supervisor,and they were in a position to be aware and it was tolerated,so was annoying, but not as bad as this guy.God knows what kind of porn he is watching too,what if he is looking at the illegal stuff like child rape?If he is watching a lot,it is likely a compulsion,and doubtful a friendly word or anon note will get to him,IMO..will you be supported by the company,would they take appropriate action if it is brought to their attn,or will they sweep it under the rug?Lot to consider,but on the whole think a supervisor should probably be made aware..as others have said his enjoyment of this activity doesn't trump the rights of the rest of you,like the one who is really scared,to be secure at work.

[blunthead]

Shasta did, in her original post.

OIC.