Comments on: Is It Ethical to Use Your Business Computer for Personal Use?

By: TStrump

TStrump — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 04:49:28 +0000

Where I work, they recently rolled out a new computer policy.
But in the policy they do allow for some personal surfing and emails.
I think we just have to make sure we don’t abuse out time on the computer.

By: Andy @ Retire at 40

Andy @ Retire at 40 — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 08:57:35 +0000

I think as always, people have to be sensible about this. Luckily I work in a place with a bit of give and take, sometimes we work longer than needed and in return we get flexi-ish hours and they know we use work things for personal use when we have to.

It goes both ways, especially if both parties see it as fair.

By: fathersez

fathersez — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 07:17:03 +0000

I think it would be almost impossible to have a strict cut off line. During office hours our time sort of belongs to the company. Does this mean we cannot take a phone call from our spouse or child? What if we use a office pencil to write down something personal on a company note pad? What if the time spent on doing this was docked?

A company that spends time monitoring this would probably spend less time on what it should really be doing.

Both the employees and the employer need to be reasonable and exercise good judgement. A person who is goofing off on his computer would probably be goofing off on a lot of other more visible things too.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 17:35:23 +0000

Thanks for the comments, everyone! I had planned on chiming in, but I was laid up in bed when this was posted. I’ve been sick all week!

The company I work for allows minimal personal use, such as e-mail, travel arrangements, and news sites, but they would frown upon using their resources for more than that – especially on the company network. Like most other companies, they also prohibit downloading software, but they haven’t locked computers like some companies have (to prevent any unauthorized downloads).

By: NatalieMac

NatalieMac — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 23:08:49 +0000

I’ve never worked anywhere that didn’t allow for ‘reasonable personal use’ of computers, email, phone, faxes, copy machines, etc. for the employees. So I use my desktop computer at work throughout the day to check personal email, read blogs (though most I read are related to my industry and therefore relevant) and do quick web searches if I need anything. Since my boss/company has no problem with me doing that, I don’t see why I wouldn’t have the freedom to do the same with a company laptop, especially if I were at home or traveling and not even using the company’s bandwidth.

By: Kristy @ Master Your Card

Kristy @ Master Your Card — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 04:46:41 +0000

As long as company policy does not specifically forbid it, then using it within reason for personal use is not unethical, in my opinion.

That said, there are some guidelines that should be followed.

- If the content you are looking at is inappropriate and you would not view it in front of your boss, then don’t view it on the lap top.

- If there are certain websites that are restricted from use (i.e. gambling sites, etc.) on your desk top, then respect those rules with the lap top.

- Do NOT download anything not pre-approved by the IT department.

- Do not use any software with the lap top that is not pre-approved by the IT department.

As long as you stay within those guidelines, then you should be fine. Of course, as others have mentioned, it’s important to note that employer’s can look at what you’re viewing, so it’s probably not a good idea to view the job ads on Yahoo and Monster while using the company lap top.

By: Manshu

Manshu — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 01:09:31 +0000

I would never work at a company that wouldn’t allow me to use company resources to enjoy myself at the cost of productivity.

That is just inhuman.

By: Curious Cat Investing Blog

Curious Cat Investing Blog — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 00:39:47 +0000

Yes. If the company policies prohibited it that would be a factor but that would likely be a bad policy.