Re: [OT] Friday dilemma...

["Neil Fuller" <neil@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dean

I'm no lawyer but if this guy is using company provided bandwidth to carry
out personal business, I think you are quite right to take issue with that.

However, as you say, it is a dilemma because if the employee does generate
substantial business, probably the last thing you want to do is alienate
him
to the extent that he leaves.

It's not unreasonable for him to realise that *any* mail coming in to the
company, via the company provided connection can be deemed to be company
business. The difficulty for you is how to explain that to him.

We all take company provided bandwidth for granted but stealing bandwidth
and carrying on personal business across that connection is no different to
someone picking up the voice 'phone and having long chats with friends.
Maybe explaining it to him using that analogy might work.

A question for you to ask yourself - Why are you concerned about this? Are
you worried that he may be passing on Co confidential info? Is he looking
for another position or are the messages from a *luvver* that he would
prefer no one knew about!! OTOH, if it's just to make a point, is its
really
worth all the ill feeling that this confrontation will elicit?

If it's the luvver scenario, he's just plain stoopid and should carry on
his
personal business in a more private manner - Tell him so!!!!!

Good luck on this one coz it is a tough call, especially if its a valued
member of the team.

Finally, if this chap is so valuable, have you got a succession plan in
place to replace him when he retires?

Regards

Neil
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dean Barrett" <dean@xxxxxxx>
To: <ukha_d@xxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, September 03, 2004 7:26 PM
Subject: [ukha_d] [OT] Friday dilemma...


> This is probably quite contentious depending on where you look at it
from.
>
> I'm having trouble with a guy at work complaining that we are opening
mail
> that is address private and confidential.
>
> He has Director status in name only, and as MD I have informed him
that I
> have a right to view any mail relating to company business that
arrives at
> the premises. He informs me that this is illegal...
>
> The question is - am I right ???
>
> I become immediately suspicious of anyone that believes I cannot see
mail
> relating to my company. I will conceed that the girl opening mail
should
not
> open letters marked Private and Confidential, she however informs me
she
> never has done. Due to our fairly small size I see all mail when it
arrives.
>
> This guy is particularly argumentative, and I'm sure its age related
(60),
> he has never been comfortable with me running things, but he does
generate
a
> large portion of our revenue so I have to tread fairly carefully. Some
> relief comes from the fact that he's only got a couple of years till
> retirement though :)
>
> I'm keen not to back down, but by the same token don't want to end up
in a
> situation where words like illegal, and tribunal make surface.
>
> Any suggestions appreciated...
>
> I love work - I spend all day with people that act like kids, then get
home
> to deal with real ones :(
>
>
>
>
> Dean.
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> Yahoo! Groups Links
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