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June 5, 2008 at 1:26 pm #2161617
Told to go to CEOs home and install his personal PC? lol
Lockedby bdskp · about 15 years, 10 months ago
Well..my boss approached me about an hour ago and told me I needed to go to the CEO’s house, about 45mins to an hour away from my house to install the CEO’s laptop, connect to to his wireless network, etc.
I’ve dodged this bullet many times but this time I’m not sure I can..so I need some advice.
I consider this way out of the realm of my job here at my company. Yeah, I know, “duties as assigned” clause in your contract might cover this but in my mind it does not. This is like asking me to pick up his dry cleaning. It has nothing to do with this business or my job.
Now, I could go to him and tell him that this makes me upset, that I don’t want to do it, etc…but if I don’t go..someone is going to have to. And if my boss has to go, well, that might spell trouble for me.
However, I’m a firm believer in doing what I believe is right..and I do not believe this is right. My question is..how to handle this?
Right now I’m half tempted to sit down with my boss and say “I’m not going, this isn’t in my job description and if you push it, I’ll talk to my union rep.” But I’ve learned not to act in haste, specially when you are upset.
I’m sure this isn’t the first time this has come up and I’d appreciate any advice on this issue.
Bill
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June 5, 2008 at 1:26 pm #2463167
Clarifications
by bdskp · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to Told to go to CEOs home and install his personal PC? lol
Clarifications
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June 5, 2008 at 1:52 pm #2463158
Personally
by jamesrl · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to Told to go to CEOs home and install his personal PC? lol
I don’t see this as a “right” and wrong issue.
Does the CEO work from home on a regular basis? Of course he does. So this is NOT like taking out the garbage or picking up the dry cleaning.
In fact I had to arrange for my staff to do the exact same thing, for a board of directors – people who are not employees, but do participate in Board meetings.
Why does it upset you? I may be a manager now, but I was a desktop tech for years, and I did stuff like this all the time. I still get handed PCs from my regional VP from his house that I fix.
I can see a problem if you are expected to do it out of your personal time, or not be compensated for expenses like mileage.
I’ve taken computers to managers who were home on long term disability, and set them up so they could start the process of working from home. I didn’t have an issue with that. I felt good about helping people.
I’ve even been sent to customers sites to figure out issues with equipment that had nothing to do with my internal users support job – I felt flattered that someone recognized my troubleshooting abilities.
If you have concerns about getting compensation for it, or being stuck with ongoing support of it(which could be a concern), then talk to your boss.
But personally, I would do it myself without complaint, I have, and I do. But I regularly go outside my defined duties – even as a manager with a staff of 12 people, I’ve gone to customers to install HW and software, troubleshoot issues, listen to complaints. And I’m not in a support role at all. But I don’t regret it, I learn something everytime I see a customer.
I see this as an opportunity. Your business needs to have a secure connection between your boss’ laptop when he is at home, and your corporate network. You should learn how best to do that, and apply it.
James
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June 5, 2008 at 3:18 pm #2463132
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June 5, 2008 at 3:30 pm #2463129
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June 5, 2008 at 4:39 pm #2463095
that is assuming tho
by jck · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to Personally
That what he is installing the computer for is work-oriented.
Being the CEO, I’d install the thing and put the standard work apps and network connectivity on it.
However if he starts asking you to install games for the kids, his personal software, etc., then I’d politely decline and say that you have other things you need to attend to and that you only allocated a short amount of time for it.
Be tactical about everything and polite. If the CEO pushes you to do something not work related, and the company is paying you for work…then you shouldn’t have to do it. And if he presses, threatens,etc., talk to your union rep.
Of course…getting in good with the CEO could score you a promotion and brownie points.
So weigh it all out.
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June 6, 2008 at 8:04 am #2450666
Who is in charge of “allocating” your time?
by jdclyde · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to that is assuming tho
I would say your boss would be hard pressed to tell you to do anything except keep the CEO happy. Sh1t rolls down hill, and you are at the bottom of that hill.
union rep? ~spit~
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June 6, 2008 at 8:37 am #2450632
i bet
by jck · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to Who is in charge of “allocating” your time?
you don’t spit like that about union reps when you are around the teamsters who drive the trucks in your construction materials yard, do ya? lol
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June 6, 2008 at 8:55 am #2450611
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June 6, 2008 at 9:49 am #2450559
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June 6, 2008 at 5:56 am #2462957
Wow
by bdskp · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to Personally
Interestingly enough it is his PERSONAL laptop. He does not connect it with the company network or any such things. It is purely his personal laptop with no company applications on it.
But I guess I didn’t say that I stress it enough. However, I have taken your point of view into consideration and there are good things to get from it.
Thanks everyone for your opinions.
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June 24, 2008 at 10:30 am #2909467
It’s how you look at it
by scontiu · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to Personally
I think it’s how you look at it. Instead of looking at it as “servant duty” you could look at it as an opportunity to present yourself and your skills at the highest level of your company. If you show yourself as a competent, happy to help, person, this 40 minute trip out of your way, could very well help you with your next promotion.
I would suggest that you are pulling “servant duty” only when you belive you are.But then I could be wrong 🙂
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June 24, 2008 at 11:56 am #2909080
Deal With It
by chris3900 · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to Personally
Even though it seems like you’re going out of your work description to install a pc at a user’s home, it is often a requirement at my company and has been for many years. It’ll also net you some brownie points for being gung-ho, so just do it.
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June 5, 2008 at 3:57 pm #2463112
Quit and stop crying about it
by jdclyde · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to Told to go to CEOs home and install his personal PC? lol
If an employer wants you to do something you don’t agree with, you have one of two choices. Do what they want, against your agreement or look for an employer that won’t ask you to do things you don’t “want” to do.
As long as this is something that you are on the clock for, on what grounds do you think doing what your boss need to have done is out of line?
I have gone to our CEO and our Presidents houses to setup systems for them. They both work from home, so why would they NOT have a home connection setup?
Sounds like you are just looking for a reason to complain.
Quit crying or quit the job.
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June 6, 2008 at 5:58 am #2462955
right right
by bdskp · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to Quit and stop crying about it
Ignoring all your anger that is in your post you do make a good point though.
I don’t think I was crying..was just asking for advice but I’m glad I could make you feel like a big man today.
In anycase, that’s really what it’s about. Having to either do what I shouldn’t have to do or find another job.
Thanks for your reply.
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June 6, 2008 at 7:58 am #2450670
You did come across as crying
by jdclyde · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to right right
Anger? how about just lack of respect.
You are given a job, and then going to decide for your self what you do or don’t want to do? I would have a hard time working with someone that has such a low work ethic as yourself.
I am approached DIRECTLY by our President and others on the board. I have been given the key to their homes to work on their systems because they trust me to do a professional job, everytime. And yes, there are others in my department, but it is me that is always asked to do this. I have shown the attention to detail and dedication to a job well done, that they don’t want to take the chance of a shortcut being taken.
It is always during company time and I am fully re-reimbursed for my travel.
I do not understand where your attitude comes from in the first place, and why you seem to think this is an unusual request/order on the part of the people that pay your wages, (for now).
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June 6, 2008 at 8:36 am #2450633
Seriously
by bdskp · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to You did come across as crying
Just stop. You know nothing about me other from what I posted and you know very well that isn’t enough to judge my work ethic.
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June 6, 2008 at 8:43 am #2450627
jd
by jck · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to You did come across as crying
seriously…lighten up on the guy.
the guy had no beef in doing something for the CEO, but in what duties would be done when he got there.
he can be held accountable by company auditors for doing non-work related activities on the company payroll. that’s fraud.
he’s trying to maintain a higher level of ethics in his job.
and just because he doesn’t brown nose his CEO for brownie points and freebies, it doesn’t mean he’s crying.
it meant he was trying to be a person of higher character.
jeesh… you would think someone who didn’t want to arse kiss their boss and the other higher ups by doing their personal whims on company time and money would be praised…not crucified.
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June 6, 2008 at 8:58 am #2450605
Much appreciated
by bdskp · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to jd
You pretty much got me right. I really don’t mind helping people out but when it comes to doing things that obviously go beyond my job description the limits should be set by me.
5 people own this company and they are all brothers and sisters.
I do this for him and now I’m 5 different people’s person “tech guy” using company time to do their personal stuff. And when I say personal I mean personal (have NOTHING to do with company work). People have no idea what I’ve been asked to do, technology wise, that went against my personal ethics and moral standards.
Using an employee, on company time and company salary, for personal uses is wrong in my eyes. And just because everyone else does it doesn’t make it right.
I came to this forum looking for advice and I honestly was shocked by the attitude of many people. I should have known better and it did put me in my place because I thought more people would understand my situation. That was stupid of me.
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June 6, 2008 at 9:05 am #2450596
“People have no idea what I’ve been asked to do”
by jdclyde · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to Much appreciated
Lack of communication on your part is where things start.
Care to clean the slate and provide the details you are saying you didn’t provide?
Go read the post by Hal. He is and has been a business owner, in the position of your current bosses, and you will see your future with the current attitude based on the information given.
JCK is just a union suckup! :p (john, gotcha!)
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June 6, 2008 at 9:29 am #2450576
Negative
by bdskp · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to “People have no idea what I’ve been asked to do”
I’m not going to go into specifics. Things that might not be illegal but violate my own personal ethics. Just like this situation does.
Using me on company time/money for his personal business is against my work ethic. If it isn’t against yours, I’m sorry.
Your opinion is that they can use you for whatever they want. Ok, i get it.
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June 6, 2008 at 10:09 am #2450549
I’d rather
by jck · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to “People have no idea what I’ve been asked to do”
suck up to a union than a single corporate officer anyday.
you get more free beers from union guys…but, i guess you’re more worried about free rounds of golf…DOH! the bad shoulder! (gotcha back! :p)
btw…my cousin is the head union clerk on the docks at Long Beach…don’t f with me, or i’ll get your shipments to China delayed lol 😉
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June 6, 2008 at 10:58 am #2450517
Question about cousin
by jdclyde · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to “People have no idea what I’ve been asked to do”
what does he think about the NAFTA super highway?
Once shipments can come into Mexico and then be driven anywhere quickly, him and his union buddies are going to be hurting.
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June 6, 2008 at 11:12 am #2450504
my cousin
by jck · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to “People have no idea what I’ve been asked to do”
a) I have no idea what he thinks about NAFTA. When I saw him in October, it was the first time we’d seen each other in over 30 years, so we had a lot more to talk about than government.
b) I imagine with Wal-Mart killing all the American manufacturing jobs by buying all the reverse-engineered, slave-labor-built products from China…that not only is Sam Walton and his “Made in the USA” badge rolling around in a casket in rural Arkansas…but that my cousin and the long shoremen and dock workers there have plenty of work moving thousands of freight containers per day that come in from China.
I’m sure he’s not worried anyways. He’s union and has seniority. He won’t be let go any time soon.
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June 6, 2008 at 1:50 pm #2450365
RE : [i]5 people own this company and they are all brothers and sisters
by oh smeg · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to Much appreciated
So is this a Public Listed Company or a Private Company owned by 5 members of the family?
If it’s the latter you knew this before you started there and should have expected nothing else.
Grow Up and smell the Roses this is just a Fact of Life get used to it or get out.
Col
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June 6, 2008 at 9:01 am #2450601
Funny that you haven’t got to James and Col on this?
by jdclyde · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to jd
Because it seems you are the only one thinking he was right in this.
This is not about kissing ass, it is about making a contribution to your company and doing your job. If you are getting paid to do it, and it isn’t illegal or immoral, where is the big dilemma coming from other than he doesn’t’ feel he should have to do it?
Reminds me of people that complain about making the office coffee as if it is somehow demeaning.
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June 6, 2008 at 9:20 am #2450585
Well
by bdskp · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to Funny that you haven’t got to James and Col on this?
Come now. I do make a contribution to my company. I do my job. That is why they pay me! Imagine that!
This however is not part of my job. Which I do things that aren’t my job every day. I help people out with their personal problems, they bring their PCs in sometimes and I take them home and work on them, on my time, with no pay. I answer personal questions and I’ve trained people to use software for their personal computer.
So yeah, I do above and beyond what I’m required to. I contribute not only to the company as a whole but to it’s employees as well. I actually care about the people though..that’s why I do it.
Yeah, so the point is, *I* should decide how/where/when I go above and beyond what I am paid for. Not the company! This is my point. Why is it “right” for him to use me in this way? Because he pays me each week? He pays me to do my job. This is not part of my job. See the disconnect?
It’s not “below” me to do anything in this company. I try to make sure prideful thoughts like that do not make it into my head. So I don’t think it has anything to do with that..as much as you may want it to.
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June 6, 2008 at 10:21 am #2450546
My job is to provide value to my company
by jamesrl · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to Well
I do stuff all the time that was never part of my job description. I do things for marketing. I do things for support. I do things for our installers. I work for the social committee.
So why are so helpful to the non management staff at no pay, and you won’t help management when you will get paid for it.
And you may assume that a laptop in a manager’s home will be used at some point for connection to the office. And it would be in the best interests of the company that it be a secure connection, and that the management may not be able to do that on their own.
James
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June 6, 2008 at 10:32 am #2450539
A psychologist would have a field day with you …
by older mycroft · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to Well
ALL your posts read like a child that has been told to do something that he doesn’t want to do. No thought has been given to what the task implies, what benefits are foreseeable from the task, nothing of any outward view – just that you don’t WANT to do it.
Indeed, although you claim to have posted because you wanted contributions and ideas by return, the wording of your original post says it all: You had already passed judgment on the result and then lost it because the majority didn’t (and still don’t) agree with you.
It is pathetic that you are taking a defensive stance to defend your view when you originally threw the question open for ideas.
Jeez, you are getting exactly what you asked for and you’re STILL not happy.
You are blinkered and it is all self-inflicted. I’m surprised anyone ever asks you to do anything.
SORRY – he didn’t ‘ask’ you did he – he TOLD you to do it.
Get a life! 😉
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June 6, 2008 at 1:28 pm #2450375
Well you are free to do as you please
by oh smeg · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to Well
But you can not have your Cake and Eat it to.
But in this case it just means that you will not have a job for very long with this attitude.
But then again of course if you feel you are not capable of performing this task then you should quite rightly refuse to do it and tell your Manager exactly why you feel you can not perform this simple task. If you do this properly you can actually state the very reasons for your Dismissal and have the unique status of dictating the reason for your termination by the Bosses. 😀
Shees where do you come off with this the CEO is the CEO and works all the time for the company in one way or another and if you really believe that he’ll never log onto the Company Network from home or bring that NB into work and use it there you are in [b]Ga Ga Land.[/b]
It’s just common sense lock it down properly so that the companies system never gets adversely affected or don’t do it and then you can not complain when the CEO’s system crashed the Business System and you get dismissed for not doing the job properly. Either way you lose you are either incapable of doing as you are told or you are incompetent either way you would not last 2 weeks working for me. 😀
But as you really believe that you can do as you like I suggest that you start your own business and work for yourself then you can decide what you will and will not do. Of course with this attitude you will not get much work and keep even less of it. But that’s your right.
Col
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June 6, 2008 at 10:06 am #2450550
jd…honestly
by jck · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to Funny that you haven’t got to James and Col on this?
You really are gonna tell me that you think that the CEO of a company expecting an employee to come do personal computer work on the company time and payroll is not morally unscrupulous?
BTW…as an executive…expending monies for personal services to be performed for your personal needs using your corporate payroll is fraud…and unethical as well.
I guess if he has an expense account to pay from, that would be one thing.
The guy is trying to do right by the company…not just by who signs the paycheck.
And it would be about kissing ass…if he took company money to do little favors for upper management…just kissing ass and getting paid for it is all.
You have to differentiate…going out there to perform company-defined and company-oriented tasks…from doing the CEO’s personally-needed computer tasks.
One thing is his job.
The other is a favor.
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June 6, 2008 at 11:01 am #2450514
At least there are the two of you
by jdclyde · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to jd…honestly
that feel this way.
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June 6, 2008 at 1:39 pm #2450369
So you are saying here JCK
by oh smeg · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to jd…honestly
That he should do this in his own time for free right? 😀
As any Upper Management have no clue about Network Security they need all of their home systems locked down very tightly and that includes not only the actual personal computer of the person but every computer in the household as you can guarantee that at some point in time one will be used to log into the Company Network one way or the other and if it is compromised it will affect the Company Network and cost far more than a few minutes work at this persons home ever will.
And for God Sake it is a NB it is going to be picked up and moved around. It will get taken to work with files on it and this CEO will forget the Mains Adapter and will need one at work that the company pays for and god only knows what else will be required to keep this one NB and the companies Network Safe from the Upper Managements lack of understanding about how computers work.
Sounds much more like a person fresh out of school who knows it all and feels they should be running the company the way it needs to be run so it can go Bankrupt. :^0
But of course encouraging this person to carry on this way will result in that persons removals from the industry eventually but then this one is likely to end up as Upper Management with a little knowledge and be far more dangerous than the current clueless ones we have now. Perhaps you would like to be answering to this one as your next manager? I’m sure they think that are more than qualified for that job. 😀
Of course if that was to happen there would be no possibility of any more swill ever again for you. Well at least as long as either you or the OP keeps working there. :^0
Col
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June 5, 2008 at 5:49 pm #2463081
Big can of worms
by mjd420nova · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to Told to go to CEOs home and install his personal PC? lol
I’ve done so many service calls at executives homes that it really is common place for me. All of them did extensive work from home and had some very impresive diggs too. Keep in mind that this is WORK and you should be getting paid for the work you do, including travel time. Bending over backwards for executives is just part of the job and the location should be no different than any other. There also may be some perks involved and a chance to get noticed by the CEO should be looked upon as an opportunity. Now all of this maybe covered by a union agreement or open to negotiation by representatives of the union and the company and if so you should be thusly advised.
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June 5, 2008 at 6:34 pm #2463074
One of my fun weeks
by jamesrl · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to Big can of worms
I was picked to support a convention of my company’s sales force in Orlando.
First task was to get down early and set up an area for the executive assistants of the VPs, an area for the people running the show, and generally help out computer users.
The rented computers didnt have software so it had to be installed(our company had rights to a copy of office for every user), networks and printers set up.
It was long hard work, but we ate like kings, had the odd beverage and I had an entire day at the end to go do Epcot at company expense.
Thats the first and last time I’ve been in Orlando.
James
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June 5, 2008 at 7:12 pm #2463066
Great time to shine
by zlitocook · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to Told to go to CEOs home and install his personal PC? lol
This is a great opportunity to show your IT ability, you can set up your bosses system and train him/her on it.
This can lead to promotions and more money. Just be sure you know what you are doing before you go there. And after doing this a few times I have learnt to bring a person with me because.
Because of liability, you need some one to say you did what you were sent to do. And the second person can vouch for you about that you did not rob the house or molested the cat. -
June 6, 2008 at 12:17 am #2463009
Well I haven’t read what the others have said yet
by oh smeg · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to Told to go to CEOs home and install his personal PC? lol
But you are [b]WRONG![/b] This is a NB that the CEO uses and undoubtedly it will come into work get connected to the Company Network and if it’s not correctly setup compromise the Companies Network.
Stop whining and do the work. If you don’t like the fact that [b]Rank Has It’s Privileges[/b] and doing this little thing will most likely save hours of lost production time and a lot of Peeved Off workers. Resign immediately do not pass go do not collect $200.00 actually do not even do anything at all but be aware that the Door will hit you in the A$$ on the way out. Then go and work elsewhere preferably collecting Garbage. You certainly would never work for me and you don’t understand the very Basics of IT it is a Service Industry.
We don’t directly make a single thing for the people that we work for we only allow them to earn the money that pays our wages through implementing the technology that they use on a daily basis. So the CEO wants his new NB setup at home so it works there I would also be offering to make sure that the remainder of the computers there are properly configured so that when he logs into the Home Network nothing attacks his new NB and infects it.
Grow up and do your job after all they will send you there on Company Time and they are paying you to do this. Also promotions occur because of who & what you are if you think for a minute that just knowing a little bit is all that is required you will stay exactly where you deserve to be at the bottom. If you are unable to relate to people and work with them you [b]Can Not[/b] work IT.
There is always the rubbish collector that you can work for running after a truck throwing garbage into it but even there Technology is coming in and they no longer need a team of Workers per truck they just need 1 driver. So you may find that the possibilities for real employment are very limited. As you obviously are unable to grasp that the Companies Network & Computers need to be protected from the Big Bad Outside World and doing small things like this is part of that job. I suppose you are the type that comes in Late in the morning leaves early fro lunch and does Bugger All when you are at work always winging how hard you are working. Well my friend those days are gone and if you continue to live like that you will find that the Unemployment Payments don’t go far at all. But at least you will be getting exactly what you deserve [b]Very Little.[/b]
Col
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June 6, 2008 at 7:38 am #2450686
It is right
by mr.wiz · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to Told to go to CEOs home and install his personal PC? lol
I’ve done it several times and it shouldn’t be that big of a deal unless it’s on personal time or no mileage reimbursement. Doing things like this for the boss is a good way to “improve” your image with the big dogs.
It’s all about keeping them happy. If they stay happy with you, you get to keep working there and possibly get a raise or promotion out of it. -
June 6, 2008 at 8:21 am #2450647
Welcome to IT!
by kenone · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to Told to go to CEOs home and install his personal PC? lol
Get used to it, make sure you get paid for time and mileage. If they start calling you at home, at 3:00am, because their power is out, you need to be compensated for that as well. The minute you touch his machine you have begun the lifetime warranty, your lifetime.
Decide now where you will draw the line. I was asked to climb up on the CEO’s roof and install a cellphone antennae, when it was 32 degrees out and the wind was howling and the roof was covered with snow and ice, declined and found a new job. I drew the line at safety, mine.-
June 6, 2008 at 8:48 am #2450617
This
by bdskp · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to Welcome to IT!
Very wise words.
Thank you for the straight forward advice.
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June 6, 2008 at 9:45 am #2450565
As I see it, you have a bigger problem heading your way …
by older mycroft · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to Told to go to CEOs home and install his personal PC? lol
This entire thread started out with a simple question and some well thought out, fitting answers.
THEN the thread exploded into comment and counter-comment because YOU didn’t tell us the accurate account in the first post. You immediately started in on the defence because you hadn’t told us exactly what the situation was, and the actual original request took several posts and responses to get the historical detail straight.
Now to my point: if you have so much inherent difficulty in laying out the groundwork for your original post – there is just as much chance that you misinterpreted the actual request about fitting the computer gear!
You may be in danger of shooting yourself in the foot not only here at TR but also in your heavily-defended job description.
Tread carefully with this! 😉
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June 6, 2008 at 10:45 am #2450523
Oh no!
by bdskp · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to As I see it, you have a bigger problem heading your way …
Well between this post and your other one you are just a bundle of joy 🙂
I came here asking for people’s opinions and I got them. I don’t happen to agree with many of them. Is that a crime? I sure hope not.
It’s simple. Does an employer have the right to use their employees for personal use on company time and company money specially when they don’t give the employee an option?
I do consider that I might be wrong on this subject. I’m not sure what else you could want from me, not that I care, but I’m more curious than anything.
I do think it’s funny that you are getting all fired up about a simple question. You need to relax a little bud. Not everyone is perfect like you. Some of us need a little bit of grace which most members have shown me on this forum.
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June 6, 2008 at 11:07 am #2450509
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June 6, 2008 at 11:16 am #2450498
my gut feeling would be…
by jck · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to 9-2 odds
from what I read here…
most people here in IT would take the buck and score brownie points with the CEO…and not care about doing what’s ethically right.
oh well. i guess i’m too much of a dreamer to be in this industry. i might move back to oklahoma and go into ranching.
at least horses don’t tell you that you’re wrong for doing what’s right.
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June 6, 2008 at 11:30 am #2450488
Read Boxies last post
by jdclyde · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to my gut feeling would be…
because she covered the ethical dilemma that you are having.
I know for a FACT that the system I setup for the president of my company uses it for business on a very regular basis.
Elderly guy with a bad hip, he is only physically needed in the office a few days a month, and works from home the rest of the time.
Do I feel any guilt about working on this equipment at his house? Not a bit.
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June 6, 2008 at 11:53 am #2450466
you’re still not getting it
by jck · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to Read Boxies last post
i give up.
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June 6, 2008 at 11:59 am #2450462
so that means
by jdclyde · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to you’re still not getting it
[i]I WIN! WOO WOO!
B-)
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June 6, 2008 at 1:57 pm #2573404
whatever
by jck · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to you’re still not getting it
i feel like i’ve given a lollipop to a 3 year old now.
have a nice weekend. thanks for the depression.
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June 6, 2008 at 11:53 am #2450465
And my gut tells me…..
by jamesrl · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to my gut feeling would be…
That most senior maangers, and I know this from personal experience, do not work 9-5 and do not turn off their cell phones at the end of the day.
We get calls while at home, we access our emails, we do business outside the office.
Do you not think that justifies someone making sure the wireless set up is locked down so that we don’t end up with people probing the CEO’s computer looking for information?
It isn’t brownie points, it isn’t sucking up, its protecting the company business.
What is unethical about that?
James
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June 6, 2008 at 12:01 pm #2450459
My gut feeling
by jdclyde · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to And my gut tells me…..
is he was just trying to jerk my chain, or he would have engaged more than just me about this. 😀
Sorry John, maybe on some other day! :p
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June 6, 2008 at 2:02 pm #2573399
whatever
by jck · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to My gut feeling
i’m too tired to fight a moot point. no one seemed to understand taking company money for doing tasks of a non-work nature is unethical. either i’m hypersensitive…or i have far more morals than you all ever imagined i have.
i’ve cranked out an entire website in 4 days to do personnel information tracking. i don’t feel like sitting here anymore.
i’m going to drive 1.5 hours to my house now…where i’ll work all weekend too.
you all have a nice one. i’m off to more personal hell.
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June 6, 2008 at 1:58 pm #2573402
from the sound of it
by jck · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to And my gut tells me…..
it sounded like he wanted that guy to come setup his PC…not just configure it for his work-oriented uses.
but that was just my gut feeling.
i’m probably wrong tho.
have a nice weekend.
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June 6, 2008 at 11:12 am #2450505
Employer rights…
by boxfiddler · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to Oh no!
“Does an employer have the right to use their employees for personal use on company time and company money specially when they don’t give the employee an option?”
Whose money is it that provides your paycheck? People, being people, often believe that they have the prerogative, if not the right, to demand this and that for [b][i]their money[/i][/b]. The legalities of this in relation to business owners are likely to be shady and full of loopholes, dependent on things like whether or not this is a corporate entity or a proprietorship. The ‘rightness’ of it (non-objectively speaking) is determined by the paycheck writer. Like it or not, this is how it is if you are not running your own business where you call the shots.
I do not know of any business owner who does not use his/her ‘personal’ home computer in pursuit of maintaining and advancing the business that s/he owns. Business owners – particularly those of proprietorships – can lose everything, including their personal effects, if something goes wrong.
Is it worth giving up your job, based on what may well be a mis-perception on your part, in favor of your ethical integrity?
edit the usual
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June 6, 2008 at 11:23 am #2450492
Me – Perfect ?? You are hallucinating, I fear …
by older mycroft · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to Oh no!
Dunno how much time you spend wandering through the TR forums, but anyone with a modicum of normality will spot me as just a Grumpy Old Man. As such I’ll spout forth some of my wrath where and whenever I get the chance.
However, I have also amassed around 30 years in the commercial printing field, heavily influenced by computers and populated my megalomaniacs and morons in equal quantity.
You are presently falling into neither camp, nor am I. However my work experience allows me to sit from a distance and spot what might just be an accurate assessment of what your present dilemma actually is.
When you are faced with a dilemma that is not work-based, but could and may very well ultimately kill you, believe me – it tends to put your present problem in the “[i]not-really-worth-getting-all-worked-up-about[/i]” category.
My role as advisory benefactor is frequently misinterpreted as my having a go. Don’t worry about it – you’re not the first to have misunderstood my Scottish brogue. 😉 🙂
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June 6, 2008 at 11:29 am #2450489
I appreciate it
by jck · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to Me – Perfect ?? You are hallucinating, I fear …
got friends from Edinburgh all the way up to Aberdeen. Ya should hear my friend John…lives in Edinburgh…born and raised in Glasgow…what a character.
Hope to be back in Scotland in Feb or March 2009 as part of my 2 week “See Europe” whirlwind holiday lol 🙂
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June 6, 2008 at 11:52 am #2450469
You — perfect?
by boxfiddler · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to Me – Perfect ?? You are hallucinating, I fear …
You are a perfectly Grumpy Old Man! 😉 😀
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June 6, 2008 at 2:04 pm #2573397
Well actually the more I see of your posts the more I see you as a
by oh smeg · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to Oh no!
Winging Pommy Union Leader out to screw the boss for everything possible and then complaining that the company has gone broke taking your job with it. Try to buy a New English built Norton M’Cycle or Rolls Royce today and see just how far you actually get.
Yes there is a place for Unions and I don’t have a problem with that in the slightest any of my staff are welcome to join a union if they so wish and I’m quite within my rights to pay them Award Wages which not one of them gets now. I don’t know how any of them could live on those low wages but if they want them I’m more than happy to pay em that and then have them committed to a Shrink for their own safety of course. 😀
Grow Up and look at Real Life this is required to keep things secure if nothing else and if you honestly believe that this NB will never be used of work purposes may I take this opportunity to suggest a Shrink is required by you immediately?
If you don’t like this situation go and work for the Government the pay will be less of course but you will never be asked to go to a Ministers Home and install something that would be considered as Sexual Harassment in Government circles. and you’ll never achieve anything but some people like this being lead by the nose and shown what to do. Of course it is the reason that nothing ever gets done by any Government Department but if you think that there are hard & Fast work Descriptions in Private Business you need to work for the Government. At least they will never go Bankrupt and you will have secure awards to work within.
Col
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June 6, 2008 at 12:44 pm #2450412
Interesting
by wesley.chin · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to Told to go to CEOs home and install his personal PC? lol
There is something like that but notcompletely that happens here. There is a telecommuter, and the company gives the telecommuter a laptop, loaded with applications needed to do the work. The telecommuter wants to be able to access resources at headquarters, but does not want headquarters to be able to access the laptop.
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June 7, 2008 at 7:01 am #2573107
Well if you have a Computer Use Policy there
by oh smeg · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to Interesting
You can enforce it and make sure than no changes are made to the Companies NB.
If they alter it and infect the Companies Network it’s going to cost a lot on money to put right and then if this NB isn’t corrected the next time that they log in again they will take down the entire system again and again till the NB is either retrieved or they are terminated.
If the company supply a NB they own it and they control what is on it.
Col
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June 9, 2008 at 6:35 am #2571771
NB?
by wesley.chin · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to Well if you have a Computer Use Policy there
What is NB?
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June 9, 2008 at 6:47 am #2571764
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June 7, 2008 at 7:26 pm #2571216
your telecommuter is a rat that should be fired
by jdclyde · about 15 years, 10 months ago
In reply to Interesting
It is NOT “his laptop” and he has NO say over if the company access it or not.
The ONLY solution you should provide him is to help him pick out a nice laptop of his own for his personal use. Work on the work system and personal use on the personal system.
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