03.19.08
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Email ThisMy employer gives me (and the rest of the IT department) a laptop for work. This decision was made in the hopes that it would make travel easier (we can bring all our work with us) and allow us to work from home. I have my reservations on both claims, but it is what it […]
8 Responses to “How to Use Your Office Computer at Home Without Getting Burned”
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Tad, using web apps is also a good idea because if you get fired unexpectedly (which has happened to a few people I know) or if you switch jobs, you’ll still have access to all your stuff.
Hey Tad,
If company policies prohibit the use of a laptop for personal use, why are you advocating ways to “work around it”?
Being an IT Director myself, using company software and hardware in violation of the terms of agreement rises to the level of dismissal - EVEN IF you use the above mentioned alternatives.
Beyond the issues you mention above, another issue is that of the lifecycle of the machine itself. You are entrusted with that machine for work use ONLY.
Bad advice….
Better advice - buy your own machine.
Tad -
As an experienced IT consultant you don’t want to use an employers’ or clients’ machine for anything outside of work purposes. Policies usually dictate it and its a good practice to keep your personal life private and separate form your employer. Many will tell you there is no expectation of privacy when you use their phones, computers, or networks. Believe them. They can and will monitor you.
I’m a BIG beliver in the separation of work and non-work life. The laptop belongs to your employer or client. Get one of your own for your personal use.
What happens when you leave the compnay or the contract? Are you going to remember ( or be able) to delete, save, or remove all of your personal data? Do you want your employer finding out how you handle your bank accounts, bill,s and what personal web sites you visit? If the answer is no, you know what you need to do.
Invest the $400 to $600 to get a low end laptop for webmail and surfing. Save yourself headaches later.
Steve & Jerry,
You’re spot on with your comments. In an ideal world, we would be able to draw a nice thick line between work and personal devices.
I wrote this article from the perspective of what I see in my workplace. I’ve been alarmed (shocked, really) at the number of my colleagues who keep personal data on their work laptop. Assuming that my experience is similar to other companies, I want people to think about this and be smart.
The last recommendation above is the best option in my opinion, since it doesn’t even touch the hard drive. By booting a totally separate OS from a USB key, you’re just using the CPU & RAM so there’s no crumbs left behind.
As Jerry noted, employers can and do monitor computer activity. I blogged about this in reference to employees conducting job searches from work equipment:
http://keppiecareers.wordpress.com/2008/02/11/your-work-e-mail-isnt-private/
You can be fired for violating usage rules, even if “everyone is doing it.” Stay safe don’t borrow trouble!
Miriam Salpeter
Keppie Careers
I’m curious to see how employers cope with the shifting landscape of computing in this area.
There was a time when you did your work on your computer and saved all your data locally. This makes usage restrictions a cut-and-dry affair.
Contrast that with today’s cloud computing and web services–the lines between service, data, and physical hardware are blurring rapidly.
What if I access my work email from my home computer (which I’m allowed to do through our web portal). Does this mean my hard drive could be searched for evidence in a lawsuit?
These questions will only get thornier as technology advances. It’s good to see that so many readers are already thinking about them.
Tad-
I think you are answering your own questions. It is even more important given the ability for people to think it is OK to circumvent usage policies with the new tools available to have a very firm line between work and home use of equipment.
And yes, you could be subject to a search of your drive if you access your work email from your home computer.
No need for the question to be thorny at all - work=work, home=home - end of story.
Tad, I see that you’re already getting beaten up plenty over this by others, and I absolutely agree with them with regards to working from home. There’s nothing tricky or “in an ideal world” about drawing a nice, thick line between your home and office devices, as others have made clear.
However, I do see things getting a bit murkier if you are expected to travel with your laptop for any extended period of time on work-related business. Is it unreasonable to access your Gmail account during non-working hours when on the road for your company? Is it reasonable for the company to expect you to carry two laptops (risking your personal property) when traveling for your company?
A usage policy that respectfully accommodates the needs of the employee and the company might be in order in cases like this.