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PC privacy at work

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  • 11-08-2011 3:50pm
    #1
    LegacyUser
    Registered Users Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭


    I have a small issue at work and was hoping someone might have an opinion/advice.

    I work in a very small office and my boss is a volunteer boss (its a not-for profit). I recently found out that he comes in sometimes when I'm not there and logs onto my PC. I know that as a work PC it isn't supposed to be private, but would it be reasonable for me to suggest two separate log-ins set up on the PC? That way, he wouldn't exactly be logging into my work station.

    I'm not hiding anything but I find it a bit of an invasion of privacy - kinda, if you know what I mean. Or am I being unreasonable?


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    #2
    LimeFruitGum
    Registered Users Posts: 996 ✭✭✭LimeFruitGum


    That's weird, surely he'd have his own PC in the office. But what would he be doing in there, looking for files? Checking the net/email?


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    #3
    LegacyUser
    Registered Users Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    LimeFruitGum wrote: »
    That's weird, surely he'd have his own PC in the office. But what would he be doing in there, looking for files? Checking the net/email?

    No, he doesn't as he's on the board, not part of the executive. It's a funny set-up alright. He's looking for files but I suppose I just don't like the way he was intentionally going behind my back and coming in on days he knew I wouldn't be there.

    Plus if he's looking for something, he could just ask me..??

    More I think about it, it's a respect thing, not a privacy thing...


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    #4
    tenchi-fan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,339 ✭✭✭tenchi-fan


    It's hardly an invasion of privacy. The PC is a resource owned by the charity. Any files you create while working belong to the organisation.

    For one reason or another your boss doesn't see the necessity of having separate log-ins. You're entitled to ask him to set separate log-ins but make sure you have a good reason.

    Other than that here are a few ideas...
    Download firefox and select the option "clear internet history on close". Use webmail rather than outlook to communicate with friends. For personal files, use password protected zip files. Consider buying an ipad.


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    #5
    Mrs OBumble
    Registered Users Posts: 25,670 ✭✭✭✭Mrs OBumble


    Loginquery wrote: »
    ... intentionally going behind my back and coming in on days he knew I wouldn't be there.
    ....
    More I think about it, it's a respect thing, not a privacy thing...

    He IS respecting you by not getting in the way and asking you for stuff he's well able to get for himself!

    It's a work PC.

    Unless you WANT him to think you're trying to hide stuff, then you need to get over it.

    I agree with the suggestions re clearing browsing history etc though.


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    #6
    Bandana boy
    Registered Users Posts: 4,325 ✭✭✭Bandana boy


    Your PC is a tool of the business
    Would you be upset if he needed to use your screwdriver and availed of times you were not in the office to use it ?
    As long as their is not an issue of him using the PC inappropriately I think its more than fair .By trying not to tie it up when you require it ,the guy deserves a medal !


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    #7
    LegacyUser
    Registered Users Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    Thanks for the feedback guys.

    I don't think I'm explaining the situation very well - the person in question is on the Board, i.e part of governance and not management. They shouldn't really be in the office at all and this is part of a wider issue of being over-involved in the day-to-day running of the organisation. But this thread has made me realise that and that the issue isn't really privacy but much bigger problem so thanks again for the input.


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    #8
    tenchi-fan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,339 ✭✭✭tenchi-fan


    Loginquery wrote: »
    I don't think I'm explaining the situation very well - the person in question is on the Board, i.e part of governance and not management. They shouldn't really be in the office at all and this is part of a wider issue of being over-involved in the day-to-day running of the organisation. But this thread has made me realise that and that the issue isn't really privacy but much bigger problem so thanks again for the input.

    :confused: I fail to see how. Micromanaging isn't good. But at the end of the day, neither are insubordinate staff.


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    #9
    LegacyUser
    Registered Users Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    tenchi-fan wrote: »
    :confused: I fail to see how. Micromanaging isn't good. But at the end of the day, neither are insubordinate staff.
    Hi tenchi-fan,

    That's probably because I haven't gone into the whole scenario. But you've put your finger on it - micromanaging and I just realised that from the responses here. Thanks for raising the issue as I can see how you might think it a possibility but I'm far from insubordinate.

    thanks for the reply.


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    #10
    John Mason
    Hosted Moderators Posts: 10,661 ✭✭✭✭John Mason


    i would, what if he was looking at porn or other sackable sites on your PC?

    Surely, you are all networked so if he wanted to look at a file on your computer, he could just go into the shared drive?


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    #11
    LegacyUser
    Registered Users Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    irishbird wrote: »
    i would, what if he was looking at porn or other sackable sites on your PC?

    This!
    Don't mind all that 'insubordinate' kind of nonsense that some are spouting in ignorance. It doesn't matter if its the CEO, if they are regularly logging in under a username identified as you, then you will if they happen to look at or download things they shouldn't etc, then eyes will be on you. If he's logging in as himself, but on the PC that you use, then you don't have to worry. There might be absolutely nothing in it, but you are right to ask the question. If the PC is just identified as a generic workstation, then I wouldn't worry about it.


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    #12
    gandalf
    Registered Users Posts: 26,458 ✭✭✭✭gandalf


    raggyboy wrote: »
    If the PC is just identified as a generic workstation, then I wouldn't worry about it.

    I think this is the key item in this whole thread. If the workstation is just a generic one and he is not logging in with your network login (if you have one) and doesn't send out emails in your name then he as an agent of the company should be able to use the system.


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    #13
    tenchi-fan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,339 ✭✭✭tenchi-fan


    raggyboy wrote: »
    This!
    Don't mind all that 'insubordinate' kind of nonsense that some are spouting in ignorance.

    You sound like the ignorant one, raggyboy. It's already been established that he "logs onto" the PC (presumably he has legitimate access to the username and password) and that "as a work PC it isn't supposed to be private"


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    #14
    Oranage2
    Registered Users Posts: 11,131 ✭✭✭✭Oranage2


    Sounds like the op main 'privacy' problem is that she spends a lot of time on social networking sites and doesn't want the boss to find out.


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    #15
    LegacyUser
    Registered Users Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    gandalf: the work station is mine but the point (as I've realised from this discussion) is the boss is not a CEO but on the board, ie he is not supposed to be involved in the day-to-day workings of the office and not supposed to be in the office logging into anyone's PC without notifying me. As I've said before, I mistook it as a privacy issue initially but it isn't really, it's just a respect thing.

    Orange2: funnily enough, spending time on social networking sites is part of my job, as it would be for a lot of people involved in promoting an organisation. Strange that you would bring that up - and think I'm female.

    Thanks for the replies.


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    #16
    StillWaters
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,799 ✭✭✭StillWaters


    Members of the Board are supposed to be involved in the day to day running of the office and organisation. They are the ultimate owners and managers and the legal buck stops with them.

    TBH, its not uncommon in not for profits that Board Members would access staff PCs to print out minutes, or other documents if they were in for a meeting.

    You could request that a separate board member log in be set up, but it could raise a red flag.


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    #17
    Mrs OBumble
    Registered Users Posts: 25,670 ✭✭✭✭Mrs OBumble


    StillWaters wrote: »
    Members of the Board are supposed to be involved in the day to day running of the office and organisation. They are the ultimate owners and managers and the legal buck stops with them.

    You've obviously been involved with some interesting organisations.

    In general, though, it's not considered good governance for board members to be hands-on involved with day-to-day operations: it clouds their vision, and makes it hard for them to focus on the big picture. It also involves them inappropriately in staff management, at times.


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    #18
    Tranceypoo
    Registered Users Posts: 1,531 ✭✭✭Tranceypoo


    If he's logging in as you then he must have your password? Wherever I've worked we've been told never ever to give anyone our passwords, once I was off sick and my boss at the time (who was the CEO) phoned and asked me for my password and I told him no, it was company policy I couldn't give out my password to anyone and that included him (and yes, I got great pleasure out of telling him that!!) So did this guy ask for your password or what? Is that not against your company policy? Do you not have a company handbook type thing?


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    #19
    John Mason
    Hosted Moderators Posts: 10,661 ✭✭✭✭John Mason


    StillWaters wrote: »
    Members of the Board are supposed to be involved in the day to day running of the office and organisation. They are the ultimate owners and managers and the legal buck stops with them.

    TBH, its not uncommon in not for profits that Board Members would access staff PCs to print out minutes, or other documents if they were in for a meeting.

    .

    I work for a non-profit and i can tell you, that our boards members are not involved in the day to day running for the office.

    they also have no access to staff pc's. tbh, i am not even sure if they have the security codes to get into the building.


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