Internet Usage query

[Nemesis4909]

Re: Internet Usage query

They did but it was along the lines of "wait and see what happens next". They did assure me that taking responsibility for my actions would count in my favour in some way but that's a small comfort if I still end up sacked because they think I'm sitting looking at porn while working for example.

I'm absolutely terrified of what might happen next and how long it'll take to get to that stage. It's such a messy situation and I don't feel like I have any control over it.

[Jojo71]

Re: Internet Usage query

It is a bit of a waiting game, which doesn't help you, keep a record of everything as your manager may not be following correct procedures.

They would need direct evidence to say you'd been doing something (looking at porn for example), saying you may have tried to access it is not good enough as you could have just as likely been trying to access IGN. Have a look at Estrella's post again as that makes so much sense

[Nemesis4909]

Re: Internet Usage query

Thank you for putting up with my exasperation. I really appreciate it and wish I could buy you a beer (if you drink) so say thanks.

I am keeping note of everything that's said and I hope that you're right about the IT stuff. What a mess!

[Jojo71]

Re: Internet Usage query

Not a problem, I know what it's like to have worries about your job.

Keeping notes is a good thing. Your manager doesn't seem to know what she's doing as she appears to have gone about this a very odd way (which will work in your favour if anything comes of it)

Let us know how you get on. If you do need advice there's loads of people on here that will point you in the right direction.

[Nemesis4909]

Re: Internet Usage query

Sorry guys, it's me again. I haven't heard anything and I'm completely fearing the worst at this point while worrying myself sick.

I've been thinking a lot about how I'm going to tackle this if they try to skip right to the sacking. I have no confidence that IT's findings will support my story of image searches being connected to blocked sites that appear to be "malicious" as was the word used so I'm wondering how I counter that as it is absolutely true that this will be the cause.

I'm also very confused that my line manager completely avoided the informal part of the process when she suspected that something was up. Is there something in there that I can go for? I had never had prior notification of issues and was blindsided by an investigation that was already underway. That doesn't seem quite fair to me as I had no chance to attempt improvement and work through something.

I know I get a hearing to make my case but I honestly feel that a dismissal hearing would be a foregone conclusion even if they say it's not and I'm starting to feel a little suspicious about this whole thing. Surely keeping me waiting almost a week with the looming threat of possible termination while I'm expected to work hard and meet my targets is also somewhat unfair given the circumstances. I get that I might be innocent until proven guilty but the guilt has already been established so I'm just waiting for the knife to drop and it's making me feel anxious while damaging my ability to get a good night sleep. I've done wrong sure but it's getting too much for my mental state to cope with the longer it goes on.

I have a lot of thoughts on this issue.

[wales01man]

Re: Internet Usage query

Do you have a feeling they just want you gone? if they had blocked certain sites quite easy to do you and I expect others would not have been able to access them.

[Nemesis4909]

Re: Internet Usage query

I've never felt that they want me gone. My work is always to a high standards and I'm a high performer so unless this line manager doesn't like me for some reason -she hasn't been my boss for long- then I can't see why. The sites are blocked yeah, I'll do an image search to find a meme to reply to an email from someone and it might be on a blocked site. I think that attempting to access them will be used against me but there was no malicious intent so how can it be considered to be so? Surely if anything I've just been stupid.

[wales01man]

Re: Internet Usage query

All seems strange to me hopefully others on here can help you with this

[Jojo71]

Re: Internet Usage query

Hi,

Is this your manager's first managerial role?

[Nemesis4909]

Re: Internet Usage query

Yeah, I really hope there is a resolution that doesn't end with me being out of work.

[Nemesis4909]

Re: Internet Usage query

Hi [MENTION=66751]Jojo71[/MENTION] she has been a manager for a number of years. I don't know exactly how many but at least as long as I've worked in that office (2+ years)

[Jojo71]

Re: Internet Usage query

That surprises me as she doesn't appear to be managing it very well. It could be her way of marking your card to make sure you don't do it again.

It's wrong to try and second guess, do you know anyone who works in your Hr dept?

[Nemesis4909]

Re: Internet Usage query

Seems like an odd way to go about it. An informal chat with the fear of consequences would have done that. I agree that it's not good to second best but I'm obsessing over this and need to find a way to prepare myself for the worst.

I don't know anyone directly but there might be people I can contact. The tricky thing is that going behind her back might make things worse.

[Jojo71]

Re: Internet Usage query

You could send her an email letting her know how much this is affecting you (then you'll have it as evidence too)

Have you checked the disciplinary policy?

[Nemesis4909]

Re: Internet Usage query

Yeah, I had a look at it and went over it with a fine tooth comb but the problem is that it's open to so much interpretation. It's definitely clear that I am guilty of misconduct but I'm not sure how they might decide to interpret that policy. For example, is me being on the internet tantamount to theft as I got paid for the hours I was supposedly spending online? This will include overtime hours too so that could come under gross misconduct if that's the route they go down.

There are 4 main stages though, the first is informal which has been skipped
stage 1 - initial written warning with clear improvement guidelines set and access to the bonus still allowed.
Stage 2 - final written warning with no access to the bonus and still guidelines of how to improve
stage 3 - dismissal

My fear is that interpretation of the policy means that stage 3 might be the starting point which I feel is completely excessive. The policy does have wording that suggests stages can be skipped so it's a pretty wooly thing to begin with. If it went to stage 1 then fine, I'd happily accept that and if it was stage 2 then I'd just have to find a new job on my own terms as the loss of the bonus means a loss of incentive to stick around since I won't really be rewarded for anything I do over the next 12 months. Stage 3 is what I definitely can't have as I would most likely lose my job and potentially not find another one since employers don't like having dismissal on your record.