# SDMB got me fired! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 27, 2003, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-got-me-fired/197900 "2003-08-27T03:45:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![sleepytimebaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9e8a1a/32.png) [@sleepytimebaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleepytimebaby)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-got-me-fired/197900/21 "2003-08-27T20:42:39Z")
Geez it must have been nice to surf the web all day while others worked. Your work has a right to see what you are doing on THIER computers. I would have fired you long ago. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-got-me-fired/197900/22 "2003-08-27T20:48:32Z")
Well, decent management would have fired a few warning shots across the bow before firing someone, especially if this was an otherwise productive employee. So it’s not unreasonable to guess that maybe business isn’t so good and they were looking for reasons to reduce headcount? ---
**Author:** ![j.c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/73ab20/32.png) [@j.c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j.c)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-got-me-fired/197900/23 "2003-08-27T21:03:02Z")
**Otto** > [@](#): > > ## quote: > > ## Obviously not. > > Balls. > > I don’t know specifically what OP did but he said customer service. That’s what I do, and I’m one of the top three performers in my department. I consistently have stellar stats and lead the department in moneys collected. **Otto** , I’m reasonably certain that metrics where you work are set up so that you can be canned for anything, at any time, no matter how good the numbers you get to see look. Like I said, when you have a job, that job is to convince the boss that you are “productive” according to their standards. For all we know, poor **WeRSauron** got the sack for having such high numbers that his success could be construed as proof that his boss couldn’t lead a group. Upper-level management might wonder why, if **WeRSauron** has the resources to reach level X, his cube mates are lagging behind? Must be bad leadership. Good bye, WeRSauron’s boss man. Do you think WeRSauron’s boss man wants that? On the other hand, playing devil’s advocate, maybe WeRSauron has high numbers for calls handled, but low scores on feedback because he gets those high calls handled stats by not resolving issues. We don’t know. I think we can be pretty sure WeRSauron will be more savvy at the next job. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-got-me-fired/197900/24 "2003-08-27T21:16:49Z")
Only 156 posts & you’re on the board all day? How did they find out? ---
**Author:** ![ewakko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/2bfe46/32.png) [@ewakko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ewakko)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-got-me-fired/197900/25 "2003-08-27T21:24:31Z")
I only need to have the ‘appearance’ of staying busy. Thank you ghostzilla. Thank you. I couldn’t stand being at work without you. ---
**Author:** ![ataraxy22](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ataraxy22/32/307_2.png) [@ataraxy22](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ataraxy22)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-got-me-fired/197900/26 "2003-08-27T22:22:57Z")
Yikes! Being terminated for this is one of my secret fears! It’s either this site, or surfing around, trying to see what (non-x-rated) sites are blocked from access. So far I’ve found that these sites are blocked: 1. the wayback machine (makes sense) 2. [nerve.com](http://nerve.com) 3. my beloved [T’inator](http://firefly.sparse.org/~mrt/) Why why why??? I lost an hour of productivity grieving when I discovered this one was lost (versus the two hours productivity I’d waste otherwise)…it’s fun to nest “T’inations”, etc. , but I am babbling now. ---
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-got-me-fired/197900/27 "2003-08-27T22:28:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by handy \* > \*\*Only 156 posts & you’re on the board all day? > > How did they find out? \*\* I know you’re unfamiliar with the concept, but some people _are_ capable of reading threads without responding, **handy**. 🙂 I probably read 10-20 threads for everyone I respond to. ---
**Author:** ![WeRSauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f19dbf/32.png) [@WeRSauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WeRSauron)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-got-me-fired/197900/28 "2003-08-27T23:12:08Z")
Thanks, **Esprix**. Two employees would be off the phones, talking to each other, taking their breaks and lunches together (they’re not scheduled together), using more time than allotted for breaks and lunches, using their phones for long, personal conversations, etc., etc. Even though I came after them, I knew the system we were using better than they did, and knew the company’s policies and rules better. I also did more actual work and had more responsibilities. There was no warning - just called me in and told me my employment was terminated. There are indications that this was used as a convenient excuse to get me out - since the other two productive employees (whom she didn’t like either) are very safe and pragmatic. Can’t nail anything on them. Anyway, all will be well. I’m using this opportunity to explore options I didn’t before. So this might be a good thing. Next time - I’ll be more cautious. Hopefully. 😉 **handy** , I read threads, and don’t reply often. They track internet use, what website one’s visiting, how long one’s there, how many clicks, etc. I have to multi-task, or I feel bored and frustrated. Cool job, **gatopescado**. Excellent suggestion, **neutron star**! 🙂 WRS WRS ---
**Author:** ![Nefertiti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Nefertiti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nefertiti)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-got-me-fired/197900/29 "2003-08-27T23:45:11Z")
My employer has a written policy limiting on-line activity. Once a week, they run some kind of report that shows who was on-line, for how long, and what sites one visited. Anyone visiting a porn site is instantly dismissed. Anyone who spends “excessive” time on-line gets one warning and then it is “Bye-Bye”. Two have been fired because they had an on-line business and conducted business while on our employer’s time. Three have been fired for visiting porn sites. And one has been fired for spending excessive time on-line. Two were fired for exchanging e-mails containing jokes about sex. :eek: :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2003, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-got-me-fired/197900/30 "2003-08-28T02:59:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Giraffe \* > \*\*That was Jesus 1.0. Jesus 2.0 has been redesigned to be leaner and meaner, in order to be competitive in the new economy. \*\* Is God going to be licensing Start Me Up, like MS did with Windows 95? Rise me up! Rise me up! I nevuh stop! Nevuh stop! ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2003, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-got-me-fired/197900/31 "2003-08-28T04:29:42Z")
**WeRSauron** , I now pronounce you SDMB’s first **cyberslacker** to get fired for **cyberslacking**. 😛 [sup] **Just increasing my vocabulary.** [/sup] ---
**Author:** ![SnoopyFan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d07c76/32.png) [@SnoopyFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnoopyFan)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2003, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-got-me-fired/197900/32 "2003-08-28T04:48:50Z")
I’ve never understood employers who want their employees to just sit there and do nothing but work when they can be trusted to work **and** have fun and still do really good work. ---
**Author:** ![AngelicGemma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/439d5e/32.png) [@AngelicGemma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelicGemma)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2003, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-got-me-fired/197900/33 "2003-08-28T12:15:50Z")
You have my sympathy! They should have at least given you some sort of warning first. ---
**Author:** ![Tusculan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecd19e/32.png) [@Tusculan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tusculan)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2003, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-got-me-fired/197900/34 "2003-08-28T14:06:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by GMRyujin \* > **Is God going to be licensing Start Me Up, like MS did with Windows 95?** Well, I’ve heard that you need a licence to be able to claim support. Then again, I’ve heard rumors that you can only call his support line, but never receive a reply. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2003, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-got-me-fired/197900/36 "2003-08-28T14:37:32Z")
“Two were fired for exchanging e-mails containing jokes about sex.” They read your email too? That would suck. Work fascinates me, I can sit & watch it for hours. Anyone remember our lovely doper, Diane? She would use the net alot at work successfully, maybe she can give us some hints? ---
**Author:** ![Gorgon\_Heap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f475e1/32.png) [@Gorgon\_Heap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorgon_Heap)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2003, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-got-me-fired/197900/37 "2003-08-28T15:50:16Z")
> [@](#): > > Work fascinates me, I can sit & watch it for hours. **handy** , that was the most slackerish thing I’ve ever seen. I love it. I spend all day on the internet at work. Fortunately, I work for the government, where everybody else does that too. ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2003, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-got-me-fired/197900/38 "2003-08-29T00:52:21Z")
It’s not at all uncommon for companies to monitor email and web use. The very large co. I work for gives classes every once in a while on the appropriate use of email, what constitutes harrassment, and so on. They now block access to anything that looks like a message board or email service. Although that’s not real convenient for employees, it is after all the company’s equipment, network, email server and so on. They can make any rules they want. We’ve been told many times to never put anything in an email that we would not want the entire world to read. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-got-me-fired/197900.md?page=1)