I figured with all you IT guys on the boards, I'd be wise to ask you guys before purchasing some software.

Basically, in my medical practice we have a server and 4 computers - 2 for doctors and 2 for staff. We have become aware that one employee is spending more and more time on the internet for non-work related stuff. Oh, the irony.

This employee otherwise is a good worker, so the other doctor and I want to install internet monitoring software to restrict internet usage to work-related sites, such as insurance company pages to confirm patients' insurance and handle billing issues.

I see via "the Google" that there are many products out there. I would like to make this product work on the employees' computers but not on the doctors' computers. Rank has its privileges.

I'm viewing a demo for Websense right now. Any thoughts? Being a small business, we don't want to spend an arm and a leg on this.

Can't answer you... big brother software is cutting link to Axiom forum... need help...

I'm not a fan at all of big brother, and I'm a boss, so if the same thing was happening to me I would fire the person and hire another good worker.

My first reaction is that perhaps simply telling the employee that you're aware of the non work-related internet access and to ask them to stop. Perhaps remind them of whatever official internet policy you have. If they're an adult and a good employee that cares about their job, that should be enough and won't cost you or your practice a dime. If they continue to abuse it, then perhaps Wheelz idea is appropriate.

I don't know about specific software packages that do this, i'd be checking the great Google too.

But you might already have a solution in the router that's serving up your network. Some have filtering options. I know that my home router (D-Link DiR-655, $100) has website filtering options that can be placed on specific MAC addresses or IP addresses on the network. It think it even allows for time-based restrictions, like blocked/allowed from 9-5, etc. As I recall, it can do black-listing (do not allow list) or white-listing (only allow list). It's pretty cool, for a simple home router.

It sounds like you want to white-list sites. So if you have a list of websites that they can access, you could tell the router to only allow those websites on certain computers. All other sites will simply be blocked. And of course, you'd leave full access to the computers that need to retain full access.

All that said, I don't actually use those features because I have no need to. But if that was an option that you were considering, I'd be happy to take a closer look at what the router can and can't do and let you know.

Something to think about, anyway.

I think this is the wrong approach, best thing to do is deal with the specific issue, namely the one employee. You say they are a good employee so build on that, discuss the problem and I'm sure that should be the end of the issue.

OR you could show them this post

Crippling internet access because of one employee doesn't seem to be very effective.

Many companies look at the extra surfing as time theft and as such is grounds for dismissal. I would distribute an internet useage policy which states such things and see where it takes you.

It could also be the employee is addicted to her favorite forum, like a few other people we know and can't control themselves and as such, needs help

Precisely. That's why I classify this as a 'critical information/research' site.

Yeah, I didn't mention that we have already told both of our employees that we are aware of this issue. We may try a more forcefully worded approach in a second meeting with the one employee.

Our billing company (we contract out this to them) had the same issue, installed software, couldn't be happier.

Websense is what I was going to recommend if you did want to put software in, but it looks like you're already looking at that one. That said, it may be a bit of a pricey solution for a small office.

I would think there should be some log files on the server/firewall, that would show the sites being accessed...

Yeah, we can confront her. She's not even savvy enough to clear her browser history or cookies, so we shouldn't have to even get to the server level.

This is sounding more and more like a soap opera.

"Will medic8r confront Megan the insurance specialist?"

"Will she change her thieving ways?"

Tune in next week on "As the Sitting Couch Turns" ...

Make sure you grab her ass mouse when you confront her.

When I was 18, my dad got me a summer job working on the line at the Ford plant he worked at. We had cars coming down the line every 55 seconds. In the time I had to install the right front door window. Now the first week, I could hardly keep up, but after awhile I got good at it, really good at it, to the point where I could get the job done in under 40 seconds. So I would bring a book, news paper, walkman, etc, and entertain myself between cars. The line supervisor didn't care, as long as every car that went down the line had a window properly installed.

I realize you don't operate an assembly line; however the premise is still the same. You say this is a good employee, so my first question is; does he or she get all the expected work finished in a given day. Before you, can answer that, you need to know what that amount of work is. If the answer is yes to both questions, then I don't understand the problem. You pay this person an agreed amount of money to do an agreed amount of work in a specific amount of time. If they get his work done in less time without it affecting work quality, you should be happy. However, to expect an employee to do more work in a given day than you have previously agreed upon with out added compensation, is not fair, and may even be unethical. Now if the employee chooses to do more work on their on accord, without the expectation for extra compensation that is even better for you, and probably the employee in the long run. You can hope for his scenario, but should never expect it. And when employees do go beyond the call of duty, you should reward them, especially if you would like this to behavior to happen again in the future.

However, if this person is not completing the required amount of work in a given time, then a conversation about this needs to happen. The conversation should only be about work quantity, quality, and time management. It should not involve discussions about personal activities on business time including internet usage (unless the internet sights are offensive to others or are breaking the law). Your goal should be to ensure this person is a productive employee.

I am a Solution Consultant for Monster.ca and I deal with HR departments everyday and help them deal with these kinds of issues.

Installing“big brother” software will only reduce overall moral. And this is something we try to instill in our clients as a huge taboo!

I hope this helps

Oh yeah, that changes things a bit.

You could also check with your ISP. I've been involved with a couple of issues at work where our ISP has helped us out with things like this. At the very least, they ought to be able to suggest software that they've used or know of that works.

You said you are happy overall with your employees performance. That being said if she shows up on time everday, completes her duties and treats other employees with respect then is there really an issue? A little internet surfing seems trivial to me (just my opinion). If her web browsing starts affecting her job and completing tasks in the requested time, well that is a whole different story.

Many progressive software companies, such as Autodesk, and Monster don't have these silly internet usage rules. They are counter productive and bad for employee moral. These companies try hire the best and most talented people they can find, but even more importantly to their business, is to keep the best people they can find.

I was going to make the same point about whether or not it's affecting her work. I realize you're paying her, so you can decide how she can spend her time at work. If you'd rather she only read print material or simply stare blankly into space, that's fine, but I see nothing wrong with internet surfing unless, as mentioned, the sites are questionable, or if she's hogging bandwidth.

Worfzara, I agree with what you say, and it's certainly a positive way to look at the situation.

The IT dept where I work functions much the same way, we're task-oriented. We don't punch the clock. If I want to post on Axiom about helping Medic8r with his problem, they don't care so long as tasks/projects are on schedule. Of course, in my case it works both ways as we're expected to put in whatever extra time is needed during critical projects. We can and we do, and it works well.

But at the same time, there are other companies (that both myself and my wife have worked for) that view every second as 'on the clock'. Where breaks were strictly structured and any time not doing one's job was viewed as stealing company time. If you were paid for 40 hours of work, you were expected to give the company 40 hours of production even if it meant you had to do something other than your actual job description.

But ultimately it's Medic8r's business. If the employee's surfing is bothering he and his associates, he's certainly within his right to clamp down on that. And actually, there may be good reason to do just that. Since he's obviously involved with medicine, there may be a very good reason for restricting internet access. What if that employee inadvertently downloaded a keylogger virus that started sending patient info somewhere? I'm sure his business has an AV solution, but you never know. HIPAA can be a harsh mistress.

Sorry Tom, I vote for the former. It makes for a better soap opera.

Wolfzara makes some good points, but its a complicated issue.

Doc., just consider that you can't laugh out loud at our outrageous posts when you're surfing at the office any more.

I'm fairly happy with my employees' performance, i.e. the group as a whole. We have three, and they are pretty good, but I really do wonder if they are good enough. But that's another issue. This one employee in question, she is the newest one, and at first she was dynamite, but now she is not pulling her weight.


That's just it. She takes 8 hours to do 4 hours of work. The other employees are pissed because they have to do more. It's a real mess. I should have, uh, stated this at the beginning. Her fortunes are starting to look more bleak as I type this, I think.

I agree with the general sentiment here. Are your employees task-based or project-based? If they mostly have tasks to deal with, then I'd guess the internet use is going on when there are no immediate tasks to be handled. If, on the other hand, they could be getting some work done on projects and choose instead to update their Facebook pages, then I'd agree it's a problem.

Reducing the size of the internet for your employees is harsh. It may be deserved, but it's still harsh. It may lead to reduced morale and less productivity despite the reduced distractions.

Proceed with caution.

Yes, Yes, and Yes. It's his business, and it's his money spent on computer hardware and internet access. Then herein is the real question. Is the employee paid for there time, or to get the job done? Depending on who you ask you might get differnt answers. The real answer is the one the owner of the business uses. If they want to rule with an iron fist, they can, as long as they are not breaking any labour laws.

But it may not make business sence to do this. As the baby boomers start to retire, it is going to be harder and harder to find good people. Albera, Canada is suffering from this right now. It is an employee's market, and if they don't like the workng conditions or managment style at your business, they'll leave to go somewhere else. And the thing is, they can. We tell our clients you need to manage your people, not there time.

But in the end, it is your choice on how you want to run your business.

My best friend is Bengali Canadian and I know he has lots of cousins back in Bangladesh that would work for you for a dollar a day and wouldn't have a sweet clue how to surf the Internet. Just give me a heads up and I'll give him a call if you want

Mmm, the sweet smell of labor laws being broken...

I think some of his cousins work for American corporations in Bangladesh, just outsource your business

While this may be true for a small company, it can become a problem with larger ones. Get enough people surfing, yet still getting their work done and it hurts bandwidth. Even if it something like streaming pandora to listen to music at work, a lot of people doing that can slow things down, thereby making the Internet slow for other users at the business trying to do productive work.

Shouldn't be an issue in this case, with only a handful of machines, but as much as I'm not a fan of big brother software, I can see a need for it at times.

If the above is true then I would be looking for another employee.

Yeah, exactly. Unemployment hit 7.2% today, so there's plenty of pickin's as they say. Wish me luck.

Good luck, I hope things work out for you. I know it's hard to come across quality employees, so if you have to replace her hopefully you can find someone just as competent but more expeditious.

If she was a good employee once, give her a chance to make it right before you make her a statistic... unless morale with the others is such that they've reached a point of no return with her....

Seriously, I think the "talk" has a chance to work. She's off today - in court, actually , so I'll catch her on Monday and slap her on the mouse (that was for Tom).

That's at least twice I've agreed with Mark during the past day or so.

Wow... I have to search to find the other one.

Was it where I suggested I spend a week down there in February, and you give me your 600 as a parting gift?

'twas, and I'd swear to it.

Me too! Although I could have swore I read it as a new EP800 not the old 600.

Having a talk with her is an excellent idea. Communication goes a long way. If you do not want to come off as to harsh or afraid of killing her morale (if you plan on keeping her) maybe you can meet her half way and suggest to her that you are changing employee policies on non-company related internet access/websites to break and lunch time only. That is more than fair IMO. If things do not work out, I am sure you can find somebody quickly to fill the position.

Good luck,