Surfing the web from work

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So I was reading another topic here and a mod took a picture out because it might not be "safe for work", which got me thinking. When people are at work, shouldn't they be like... working? OK so maybe I'm spoiled because I work research and don't have to be there if I don't have anything to do, but even when I had a 9-6 job I didn't have all that much down time. And also, to this day I'm paranoid about accessing anything even remotely personal from any computer other than my own home computer. For example, since I'm not diagnosed with asperger's, and I've never discussed my suspicions with anyone in person, I wouldn't consider this entire site "work safe" for me. So I guess I have a few questions... how much time do people spend surfing the web from work, what kinds of sites do you visit from work, and also, where are you from? I only ask the last part because I'm thinking about a conversation I had the other day about the idea that Europeans worked more efficiently than Americans, and got more done despite working shorter hours. So I'm wondering if they spend less time surfing the web from work.

Well, for me surfing at work isn't an option--only certain computers have internet access and mine is not one of them. We don't even have games. Which is the way I like it. It's because I work in a controversial field and security is a BIG issue. So I can't really talk about my job except in the most general terms. A friend was telling me about an incident that happened at her workplace which she was afraid to report because the person might retaliate--"he knows I am a woman alone." And I said to her, because we have had this sort of conversation before, where she is afraid to speak up about things that are happening, that if she wanted to talk about fear, then let's talk about FEAR. She does not have to worry about telling someone where she works or what she does for a living the way I do. She can be open about her job in a way I cannot. I have known long before 9/11 that there are people out there who have no qualms whatsoever about using violence to achieve their aims and that they don't care who they hurt or how they hurt them, as long as their point is made. And I am sorry, but some of those people may even be on WP. I don't mean to come across as being paranoid, but it is a reality in today's world.

Which is another reason, besides wasting your employer's time, to really be careful about surfing the Web on the job. Hey, there are some pretty malicious people out there, as software companies well know. It's a full time job keeping abreast of all the spyware, worms, viruses and the latest nasty out there. I know some people who refuse to have a computer for that very reason and I don't blame them. Sad, but true. We are so, so trusting sometimes. Then something like 9/11 happens and we wonder why.

well, I work for a research outfit, and they know that people will surf 'but keep it to a minimum'...'sides, sometimes you eat at your desk for lunch...

I saw something in the Dallas Morning News a while back about how little time the average full time office worker spends actually doing work. I think it said something like most people stopped doing work after about 3:00 or so. Grr, I should have saved that article.

depends. if my workflow is slow on a given day, if i'm waiting for someone else to finish their bit so i can do mine and have nothing else to do, yep, you betcha i websurf. i also do that instead of spending time in the hallways chatting or taking breaks or lunch. it's the best way i have to escape that place!

i do tend to throw it in neutral at about 3pm, but i start work at 7:00am and quite often end up taking work home with me or having to log in from home to check on things. i also regularly get my lunch break intruded upon by someone who "just has a quick question" or "just needs something really urgently, do i mind?". it evens out - i'm hourly paid and don't get paid for more than 40 per week if i end up working more. not salaried - those poor schmucks are putting in sixty hour weeks for waaay below market.

We go through these cycles of being told NO NON-WORK INTERNET ACCESS! and everyone keeping off the keyboard for a few weeks... then slowly... inevitably... back on the web for games or shopping or browsing.

My job is really busy, steadily busy, or nothing. When there are no patients to tend to or tests to run/package up, there is stocking supplies, assorted paperwork, and b***h sessions with the supervisor or fellow employees.

Once I have the stocking done, and the full sharps containers replaced, temps taken, etc. I will then go to paperwork - which always involves the use of the computer now-a-days.

I do slip into playing solitaire or mahjongg sometimes, but I also wander over to other departments or work on something personal to take a break from the paperwork.

I also surf the net from time-to-time but hey... viewing naked bodies is inherent in any medical job... right?



(just in case my fellow employee shows up here... I don't really check out inappropriate websites in the lab , don't tell the boss!)

I spend too much time online, but nobody gets paid for housework anyway (unless they're a maid/butler). Still, I need to study more of the time.

I'm not 'important' enough to be granted internet access at work.

Our intranet site is pretty boring.

Helen

I've seen people do some pretty interesting things on the computer while they were supposed to be working (nothing that's not G-rated though). Back in eighth grade, I had this world history teacher who looked up vintage Beatles records on his computer everyday. He never bought any either... Weird...