Thread: Access to the MB at work or from a Agency computer.

Show,
Under what title or subtitle did you put this thread?

Okay, I see it!

If anyone think of a better place for the thread let me know. I was in a hurry to play in the snow.

Here are my thoughts on the subject.

There is very limited information on the subject and I believe that may be on purpose. If you have to ID and password into the system it is more of a concern because it makes it easier to track were you have been. I read of one case where a employee’s agency e-mail was being monitored by their supervisor to see if they were receiving or sending union related information. Nothing came of it, but now you know too.

You may get the default statement when logging into a agency PC. “When browsing this site, all activity and information may be monitored, intercepted, recorded, read, copied, or captured and disclosed by and to authorized personnel for official purposes, including criminal prosecution.” Or something along that line. Believe it!

CountryBoy may have nailed it in part because we are having the same issues…………..bandwidth. Also server space with e-mail. To many people saving cartoons, joke, and other no work items on the server.

I understand as much as anyone that this is our retirement and that out agencies and tsp.gov do not help us out much. Until there are clearer rules of engagement I don’t know what to do.

My point is that they are aware of us, as is tsp.gov. It would not be hard for the OIG to make a case of excessive offsite use or other charges should they get the urge or a request from a manager. Each agency will be a bit different depending on their managers/supervisors. Whether you are liked or disliked will be another issue key to this. We all know that if you are liked, some can look the other way, ect. It’s a slippery slope, so be careful. Like I said, it has not been made completely clear for a reason. If they want to discipline you this would be a good way to give you enough rope to hang yourself with.

I for one may have gotten carried away with offsite usage but have learned my lesson. I have not been disciplined or had a discussion about it. I have been made aware of the fact that monitoring is going on, on a individual basis. I may have to drop off of the tracker and change my strategy. By not looking at the market 30 minute before the deadline I have not been able to get the information I need to trade in and out as much. I am going to look into mailmanusa's method.

If anyone has a personal experience or knowledge to share I would be interested to hear about it. Please feel free to PM me and it will be kept private.

I will add that our opinions are one thing and policy is another.

Originally Posted by mailmanusa

Its always a constant grapple to get the most updated info right before the wire. I get trembling with adrenalin sometimes.

lol

Yup, I wish we could get paid to do this. I'd definitely enjoy making this my job.

Originally Posted by Show-me

Each agency will be a bit different depending on their managers/supervisors. Whether you are liked or disliked will be another issue key to this. We all know that if you are liked, some can look the other way, ect. It’s a slippery slope, so be careful. Like I said, it has not been made completely clear for a reason. If they want to discipline you this would be a good way to give you enough rope to hang yourself with.

On my end, it seems the rule of thumb is that as long as your work is complete and all certifications are done on time, they'll ignore your internet surfing - unless you are looking at porn.

Originally Posted by fabijo

On my end, it seems the rule of thumb is that as long as your work is complete and all certifications are done on time, they'll ignore your internet surfing - unless you are looking at porn.

Same in my case as well, nobody cares as long as your work is getting done within budget and schedule.

I haven't kept up with my old agency. But prior to my retirement 3 yrs ago, they came out with a written statement that said internet access for personal use was allowed as long as it (wasn't porn and) was something that couldn't very easily be done after your work day. And also a mention was made to quantity of time being a reasonably small amount.

They specifically said they felt it was equivalent to telephone usage. As long as people didn't spend a lot of time making personal phone calls, a phone call now and then to their doctor or to their child to check on them or to a home repair person, etc. was within the limits allowed. They said the same went for personal use of email and internet access.

A pretty good analogy and a pretty darn sensible policy IMO.

Originally Posted by ayla

and a pretty darn sensible policy IMO.

Clearly, you did not work for the FAA.

We have had many service talks at PO about cell phone use which would include PDA's or Palms. The policy is it should not be done on work floor and what with all the cameras in phone these days they dont like that either. Many times there are rules that are rarely inforced. Depends on the local management. You know, its the whole micro thing. The good thing for me as a rural letter carrier is, I am entitled to 30mins worth of break time each day which would include time for lunch. I can break that time up any way I choose. 3 tens, 2 fifteens, whatever, whenever basically. You can believe I will be spending half of those entitled mins between 11:45 and 12:00 noon.

I know things have changed, but as a last resort.
This was submitted by one of our members that had been blocked. I can't remember who it was, but happened a year and or two ago.
Norman

"I used this to un-block this website at me Federal job:
Dear Administrator:

Recently, tsptalk.com was blocked after being identifed as a chat website by the web blocking software. I am presenting information why tsptalk.com should not be blocked. Although there are similarities to entertainment message boards, this website is actually an informational site for those who invest a percentage of Federal Government pay into the Thrift Savings Plan.

Because the website's function is to inform those who have invested in Thrift Savings Plan, it is not unlike websites that inform government employees about other benefits, such as Health Benefits Plans. Recently, tsp.gov enabled those with TSP accounts to change allocations on a daily basis rather than a monthly basis.

I am requesting that this website be taken off the list of blocked websites so that our agency's TSP investors can have the best information available when making changes to our investments.

Thank you for your consideration."