The Cubicle Chick » Letters

Be Careful Before Using Your Tablet at Work: You Could Be Fired

The Cubicle Chick — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:00:22 +0000

I think we can all agree that having a tablet makes it convenient to be able to to surf the web and conduct business online while on the go. I don’t know what I would do without my tablets, and I love the flexibility it gives me. Recently, I received a letter from a reader who wanted to know if they could be fired for using their tablet at work since it wasn’t outlined in the Employee Handbook, and it got me to thinking.

Anytime you are using technology in the office, you should do so with caution.

As a former HR manager, I had to make sure that our employees adhered to our policies and procedures. We had strict rules about the use of cellphones in the office, and would discipline or terminate anyone who was caught not following these guidelines. Tablets are the newest wave to enter the workforce, but bringing it to work may not be such a good idea (unless it is work issued of course).

Why?

Well, if you are using your tablet with the wifi connection provided by your employer, it is almost like using your computer at your desk. Any information transmitted over this signal can be seen by your employer. They can still tell what sites you are visiting and block sites that are not work safe. Using the wifi at work on your personal device is still using work property.

Emails, web visits, and other information can be visible when using your tablet at work. And if you are doing so even on your own time (lunch, breaks, etc.) still may be in breach of the rules of wifi use.

So be careful when using your tablet at work. And beware that Big Brother is still watching, even when you are using your own technology.

About The Author

The Cubicle Chick, otherwise known as Danyelle Little, is the owner and editor of TheCubicleChick.com. After losing her job in Corporate America in 2009, she found a way to channel her frustration into a site that focuses on work, life, and play. Danyelle blogs and administers this site full-time, freelances for several other sites and publications, and works as a social media consultant to other brands, bloggers, and businesses. You can learn more about her by visiting DanyelleLittle.com.

Twitter

Facebook

More Posts (1221)

The post Be Careful Before Using Your Tablet at Work: You Could Be Fired appeared first on The Cubicle Chick.

Will You Be Sending Christmas or Holiday Cards This Year?

The Cubicle Chick — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 15:00:09 +0000

As I am sitting here writing this post, I completed my first round of Christmas card addressing. I have no idea why I get so much joy and pleasure out of addressing my holiday cards, but it makes me smile. Each year, I spend hours picking out the perfect holiday card to send and personalizing it to make sure it reflects my family.

It seems as though sending cards is a lost art these days with the instant gratification of email and texting. Why spend actual money sending a personal card greeting when you can send a card or a text in minutes and save money on postage?

Maybe I am weird, but I actually LIKE sending cards and letters, and especially holiday cards. I like addressing them with my own personal touch with stickers and calligraphy, as well as picking out the perfect holiday stamps that are just right. I like checking my list twice to make sure I haven’t forgotten anyone—I feel so much like Oprah—you get a card, you get a card, you get a card! Hell, if you send me your address, you get a card! I just LOVE it!

There is nothing like opening your mailbox and receiving an actual card from someone who you know and like. My email box gets flooded, but there is always room in my in real life inbox for a personal card. I wish I received more.

So the question begs, will you be sending Christmas or holiday cards this year? Do you like receiving cards in the mail? I am anxiously awaiting your response.

About The Author

Twitter

Facebook

More Posts (1221)

The post Will You Be Sending Christmas or Holiday Cards This Year? appeared first on The Cubicle Chick.

Sending Note Cards & Letters: Is This a Lost Art?

The Cubicle Chick — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 17:30:44 +0000

Recently, I’ve found myself writing more notes and sending more personalized cards and letters to my friends and family. I am not sure why I have taken to a notepad and pen to express myself lately, but I have found the practice both therapeutic and actually fun. Sending note cards through snail mail is something that we’ve all gotten away from, but lasts longer than an email or text message. Why don’t we do this more often?

I think I may know the reason— in our need to have quick, real time communication, we have thrown traditional forms of the communication out of the window. Why spend $.50 to send a letter when you can open up a quick email in a free account such as Gmail or Hotmail and type a few keystrokes regarding your feelings and interest? Who does anything by mail? We can pay our bills online, send payments to one another online, shop online, and within seconds, send a birthday card to a family member—all without leaving our desks. Who wants to stand in a long line at the post office to buy stamps when we can just sit at the computer and—-VOILA. Instantaneous!

I am not sure why I prefer to utilize traditional snail mail as it were lately, but it’s a trend that I am digging. There is something joyful about putting a pen to paper and writing out your innermost feelings. The personality that is derived by your choice of words or the fluidity of your handwriting speaks volumes and you can actually feel love in the written form. Emails are so static. Notecards reverberate.

Recently, I received two personalized notecards in the mail, one from Jenn at STLCoworking and the other from Paula at Haven House and I must say, it makes me want to do business and support these operations because they reached out to me humanly. There is nothing better than a great personalized email other than an actually handwritten one.

Try it, you just might like it.

I challenge each and every one of you to take some time in your life to write a personalized letter or send a notecard to someone you care for, love, think of, or want to extend an olive branch to. The message this sends transcends anything that can be done electronically.

I will continue to send notecards and letters. Will you be accepting my challenge?

About The Author

Twitter

Facebook

More Posts (1221)

The post Sending Note Cards & Letters: Is This a Lost Art? appeared first on The Cubicle Chick.

Is There Such A Thing As Privacy At Work?

The Cubicle Chick — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 03:34:39 +0000

I received an email from a reader who did not want me to publish the contents of her letter, but wanted to me answer this question: Is there such a thing as privacy at work”. She was asking because she felt her privacy had been violated due to the fact that her boss read all of her “personal” emails on the laptop she used for company business. Apparently she had synched her private mail account into her Outlook, which also served as the host of her business mail account. When she went on vacation and left the laptop with her boss, her boss went through the contents and read several emails which we explicit in nature and time stamped during company time. The reader wanted to sue.

My answer?

There is no such thing as privacy at work. Especially when you are using company equipment on company time for personal use. As I have blogged before, you have to be careful of how you use company property including computers, phones, and other items, for it is company owned, meaning the contents of said item(s) are also the company’s property. Most of the rules pertaining to the use of computers and other company equipment is usually outlined in your company’s employee handbook, which, as I have blogged before, is essential to know backwards and forwards.

Keeping your personal separate from your professional works best in almost any work situation.

Keep your work email separate from your personal and do not merge the two into Outlook, Windows Live Mail, etc.
Only use your work computer/laptop for work only. Any information including web use can be easily tracked on these devices, even after deleting the cookies.
Don’t discuss private matters with coworkers and colleagues. It can become public record and later be used against you.
Be careful how you mention your employer on social networking sites/blogs. Yes, you can be fired/and or sued for defaming your boss, workplace, etc. There is always someone watching.
Attend work functions but continue to act in a professional manner. One drunken stupor at the company party and you will never live it down.
Don’t social network with your colleagues/and or coworkers unless you want them to know your business. Yes, I have blogged about that too.

The best way to handle your work life is to keep it completely separate from your personal life. Intermingling of the two can just bring up problems and issues you may not be ready to handle.

As for my reader who posed the question which brought on this blog, she was terminated for using the company’s property improperly and for poor use of company time.

Don’t let this happen to you.

About The Author

Twitter

Facebook

More Posts (1221)

The post Is There Such A Thing As Privacy At Work? appeared first on The Cubicle Chick.