Bingo.

And, I might add, the large corporation I work for doesn't prohibit internet use (except the obvious adult content websites) because many people using computers need the internet to do their jobs, and many can multi-task. So, IMO, surfing the net is okay as long as you can still do your job 100%.

 

First, thanks for the replies. I wasn't expecting this many...

At first the "no internet" was a verbal policy but when the supervisors weren't around they did it anyway. The other 2 supervisors weren't really telling people to get off, but I was because I was trying to do my job. The employee had been verbally told you're not allowed on the net, after several warnings he was sent home early on a shift. Then the administration posted a memo of rules in writing that said no internet. Thats when a few days later I caught him on the net again..but even worse because it was right in the middle of him doing work (selling products to customers). We had a show going off, so I was on the phone selling and so was he. I couldn't say anything to him at the time. I've been in a conflict with him before about treating customers poorly, which was also documented. He is very difficult to handle, and I think it's a little past my abilities, so that is why I went above to the administration. He doesn't respect me and he doesn't accept me as his boss during conflicts. I think a major problem here is that both the administrators do not have very good education in business law. I think they are affraid that the employee won't leave quietly, and will cause problems (maybe sue?..try unemployment..). I learned that 70% of the time courts favor employee's over company's. I think that we have enough grounds to fire him (esp for searching computer files). When he denied me catching him on the net, he had deleted the history file, and it said last modified at the time I caught him. I also found some temporary internet files from ESPN (the site he was looking at) at that time. I was sure to have another witness because you can't print that stuff out. So there is proof that he was on the net, and lied to the administrators. This whole situation is bad for business and hurts productivity. I will probably be going over some things with the admins later today, but I can't really "suggest" things for them to do. I can't be like "I think we have enough grounds to fire him" because it'll just make me look bad too....it is good experience for life though

 

He was looking on my computer specifically to just find stuff to bag me on....which is not his job, that's my job over the employees. But the computer I was using was part of the phone reps phone room, so he was able to be on the computer itself, but he shouldn't be searching hard drives and files on the computer. The other thing is that everything is networked. I have to sign into my name with my password, and only my history file will come up. I can't look at joe shmoes history file while being signed in under my name. So either he went onto my name (the passwords are hidden in a draw in the admins desk, but he has physical access to them), or he was on the other supervisor's name. He somehow had the password to the other supervisor's name because as of right now the regular rep's sign-in's dont work. I asked the other supervisor last week if he gave the employee his password and he said no, but the kid's been signing in under it so either the supervisor told him and lied to me, or he got it from the passwords in the desk of the administration.

 

I've managed others for probably 12 years in low paying jobs.

If they got nothing to loose cause they don't care about the job, you can't really win. All you can do is follow the process and get rid of them.

Don't get emotional about it, it's a waste of time.

BTW- I'm glad that I set up call centers and don't work at them, they appear to be not much fun to work at.

 

Well, this job is not a low profile job. They get about 20 bucks an hour after commission and, have the ability to build a good resume with us and grow with our company. We went from having about 1500-2k in sales a day as a small company, to upwards of 15k a day within 7-8 months. We ended the year with just under a million in sales, so we can expand quickly. We have resently downsized, but the job opportunity is there. This is a very good job and at 20-21 years old making 20+ an hour is good. On a busy saturday or sunday they can get upwards of 45 an hour. I have no idea why he'd want to sabatoge alll this just to get back at me. Thanks for the input guys, I'm learning!

 

You might have the company look in to spyware, where they can see what you are doing and what sites you have been to. With this software, there is no question about who is lying. As an employee, I am not familiar with the different companies making it, but I know there are quite a few out there. Our company uses it. If you go thru a server, you can also have a proxy set up where you can not get outside your company.

 

We do have a server setup with networked computers. I've heard of spyware, my friend works for a computer company. Isn't it a few thousand dollars? If it's a lot of money, I'd say just get rid of the net completely. Have 1 computer available for supervisors use and no more. But I don't know how to do that and neither do the administrators. Right now there is not a web browser on the computer. You have to click into "my pictures" (on xp) and then at the top you can type in a web address and hit the net. So they do have it somewhat disguised but the phone reps figured it out. Spyware would be nice if it isn't too expensive...

 

Is the guy a productive salesperson?

I'm talking in comparison to the others.

The reason I ask, if he is one of the better sales people you got, then you might find management turning on you when you least expect it.

Money talks.

 

Yes he is one of the better salesmen, but he is not particulary good with customers, his actions show that he doesn't really care about the company, and I'm pretty confident that they are on my side and not his. Good idea though, I didn't think of that one.

 

I think we could've just closed the thread after Dennis' post

Don't sweat it - if this guy is as much of a jerk as you say he is, then he'll get what's coming to him.

I know you're a stand-up guy and have nothing to worry about.



XXL

 

I am not sure what the spyware would cost. You may be able to talk to some computer security companies for something like that.
As for getting around the browser, unfortunately with Micro$oft, the browser is part of the operating system You can not just get rid of all of it.
I just took a look at Symantec's Inernet Security Professional version for Small Business. It can used to limit browsing. For 10 licenses, it is 800.00. This may not show where someone was, but it would stop them from getting there.

 

If he had access to a management password for the computer without your knowledge, then that should be grounds for termination right there regardless of how good of a job he has done. One thing is that there is obviously conflict because he thinks that you got the supervisor job because the the VP is your sister and the President is your friend.

Has he been with the company longer than you? If so, he may be bitter that you are a supervisor and he is not.

 

One thing I can all but guarantee is he not the only one doing it nor is he the only one holding hard feels toward you, considering your ties to upper management. He will be an influence on the rest of the group.

Trust no one until this situation improves. If he is terminated and can proof others did the same without objections or scrutiny from you he may well have grounds for legal action.

 

Apparently, the employee is having a hard time taking you seriously as his 'boss'. The fact that he feels comfortable looking into your files shows he has no fear of job loss. He also feels comfortable going over your head. It would be my opinion that he should be terminated before his attitude becomes contagious. Once the others see how he manuvers the 'supervisor', look out. He has no respect for you or your authority, soon the others may not either. Good luck.

 

As anyone hates to see, termination may be appropriate.
His ability to produce sales is outweighed by his abilty to cause trouble. This is likely lowering the morale, and making you look powerless to his fellow employees. Both situations tend to trickle up.