Stealth Surfing on Company Time
Thu Aug 3, 2006 3:50PM EDT
See Comments (5)
I realize the importance of taking a break every now and again when you're working for the man. And I can't blame you for choosing to spend a few minutes browsing the web in search of a casual diversion. Hey, it might even punch up your creativity!
Many bosses might feel differently about this though. Browsing the web on company time is often seen as slacking off. Don't they understand???
Well, if your boss wants you to stick your nose in Microsoft Word all day, so be it. WorkFriendly is an online service that takes any URL (just type or paste it into the field on the page) and up pops a custom version of the site you requested: It's free of images and decoration, and surrounded by a set of bars and buttons designed to look indistinguishable from your average installation of Word.
That's the WorkFriendly version of my blog in the screenshot, though I can't imagine how any boss on earth could find it inappropriate for work, this entry excepted, I guess.
Have fun. Just not too much fun.
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2 Posted by grrlduda on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:13PM EDT Report Abuse
another use maybe that won't tick off the boss... this is a great tool for clients and web designers/copywriters to use in order to update current online marketing verbage.
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3 Posted by cassmh_85 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:19PM EDT Report Abuse
twispiewoman....relax! I am with you in that people often spend a great deal of time just "bumming" at work. I think that when you are at work, you are their to work. However, I also understand that people need a break, and is 5 minutes of checking e-mail really going to "make or break" the company....probably not. You may not have this at your work, but often people just have down time, why not use it for personal time, as long as it is limited. However my biggest gripe with your comment is, that you're somewhat attacking Mr. Null. He is just simply informing, it is not as if he has a gun to the readers heads forcing them to do this at work!
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4 Posted by cnull on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:27PM EDT Report Abuse
In all fairness twispiewoman, you would NOT be able to use this tool to do many of the things you suggest (like shopping or playing games), since it strips all images and only displays text. Use it, don't use it. Hey, if you're a boss, be aware that your staff might be using such a thing to get around your evil no-web-browsing-on-company-time provisions. I'm simply letting you know it's out there.
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5 Posted by carlolp on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:18PM EDT Report Abuse
The main issue being work ethics, the fact of the matter is that those employees who spend their time on the net for non work related persuits, would find another way of waisting time if you took the net away from them. Some use text messaging, others might just daydream, while others yet my find that they need to go to the bathroom or the watercooler much more often... At the end of the day, having clearly defined KPI (Key performance indicators) that are easy to measure and understand by the employee gives you a much better way to manage the people who have trouble with self disciplin than blanket rules do. eg: Employee performs well, uses web a lot for personal persuits. eg: Employee never does anything personal at work, but performance is below par and mistakes are frequent. Which one do you want to keep? If you pay somebody to work for you, the chances are you should be able to measure the output you are needing them to deliver. If not their maybe a problem with they way you focus your job descriptions.
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1 Posted by twispiewoman on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:25PM EDT Report Abuse
So, what you're saying is it's OK to steal from your boss? Perhaps employees should talk on their cell phones while they "stealth surf"? This is fast becoming a cost factor for business owners. Call me old fashioned, but I believe this is wrong. Use your own computer at home. Work while you're on the clock. Put yourself in the boss's place - he/she is paying you to do a job, not to check your e-mail, play games, order concert tickets, shop on E-bay, etc.