It seems like a lot of people I know (not just on the BBS) post from work. I've never fully understood this, since I've never had a desk job. The closest thing to that was an internship I did at the Museum of Fine Arts where I had my own cubicle with a computer. Since it was only an internship I wasn't really worried about getting in trouble. Even then I only peeked at nba.com for a minute here or there. What I want to know is how you guys get away with it. I assume most bosses don't tell you it's ok to sit on clutchfans all day, but it's obvious that some people do just that and don't seem too concerned with getting in trouble. I start a new job on Tuesday and my duties are going to be focused very much on the computer, online in particular. I know I'll get the urge at some point to stray to places not related to my work, so I wanted to get the lowdown on the whole thing. Maybe some tips for not getting caught.
It all depends on your job and your relationship with your boss, but at a new job, I would keep the online stuff limited to lunchtime for the first few months.
feel out your co-workers. see if they are surfing. then just ask them first how the boss feels about it. when i started here, the first month was hell. i was too afraid to do any surfing and it resulted in very looooooooong days. i didn't really get comfortable surfing til about 3 months in. i mean, everyone was doing it, even our boss. but whenever the boss's boss came around, it was back to "work".
Just kind of get a read on if other people are on line, non work related stuff. I wouldn't ask outright but just check out the atmosphere first. After you've settled in for a while and it seems to be an accepted practice go for it but don't go over board and put your work off
use common sense. Avoid any sites that have anything to do wtih porno, gambling, day trading, substance abuse, racism, sexism, ect.
I figured it would be a situation where I'd have to feel it out for a while. From what I gathered during the interview process, the environment is pretty laid back and my supervisor is a cool lady. Hopefully that leniency applies to the browsing policy as well
work in IT. I usually surf during downtimes, my boss doesnt care most of the time he is surfing other websites as well
what other people said. feel out the job. At my old job, I surfed once I was way ahead. I knew that they didn't care what I did, as long as I got my stuff done. Once I learned my pace, I realized how much I could surf and still get my share + more work done during a day. Plus there was downtime while waiting on other people. At my current job, surfing is what I do a lot oftimes... not as great as you'd think after a while
I started my current job in February 2000 and it wasn't until August 2001 that I registered here if that gives you any indication of how long I waited to surf the net. It helps if you get along really well with your IT department. You will also notice that many people who post here have some kind of IT job, heh. I would just try to informally observe what other people are doing, but I wouldn't surf at work until you know you will be there for awhile.
"What the heck are you doing on the Internet...?!?!?!?!?? Didn't I tell you to finish Xyz Project?" "Yes, sir. I am searching through this BBS to see if anyone has already done the same thing or has some code I can use." "But that's a ROCKETS' Fan Site..." "Yes, sir. These dudes not only know their basketball, they are Linux Administrators, Lawyers, Web Designers, Teachers, Electronics experts... heck you even have some dudes in there that call you a cheapskate if you don't have HDTV." "Really. Well... [a-hem!]... uhhh... ok... I guess that's cool... send me the link... " "Oh, well, they ask for donation for registration. I registered BEFORE they started doing that..." [your boss takes out the paycheck] It also depends on how much privacy you have. Will you have an open-area seating arrangement, an office, or what? Good luck in your new job, man.
i noticed that some people on this board listen to the radio while they are at work? do you do this with an actual am/fm radio or on the internet with headphones? speaking of headphones, anybody here listen to an ipod while they are at work? my friend does this and i don't know if i should try something like that or not.. i'll be happy with listening to sportsradio over the internet, but i feel like having headphones on would be a no-no..
I keep the internet window small and towards the bottom of my desktop. It's also behind some other applications that totally cover it if I click on them. Makes it easier to minimize when you see someone coming. Also, in my case, it helps to have lazy employees. As long as I keep putting out work (faster and better than my lazy coworkers), they really can't say anything.
I control the internet access here so...yeah.... I recommend getting in good with the network IT people.
My computer monitor is conveniently positioned out of site of EVERYONE in my office. The only way anyone sees it, is if they come to my desk and look over my shoulder. It's pretty sweet.
As long was it doesn't effect your work most places don't care. Just get your crap done and don't LOOK like you're on the web all day. BTW I work at home and in hotel rooms so its not an issue for me.
I was called into the office earlier this week about my internet usage. Basically, I was 10th out of 175+ employees. Of course, my manager said that the department hasn't been as efficient as it's been since I've been here so she didn't care, but she had to say something.
