Those Young 'uns!

Deb S

This was priceless! We have two new employees, both in their early 20's; one male, one female (you can already see where this is going). These employees work in different branches but see each other during training, staff meetings, etc. Seems they have been flirting with each other via an instant messaging system available to employees. The messages say things like "I've was checking you out in the vault the other day" and "Are you lonely" and "no,I get calls from at least 10 different girls each night" and "doesn't this flirting add spice to the day", etc. The male employee, on his last posting to the thread, inadvertently hit the "send to all" button, thus sending the entire thread to the entire staff. Since it's an instant messaging system, PC's were beeping everywhere and the message thread popped up on everyone's PC.

After I regained my composure (was laughing hysterically in my office), I did the usual HR thing...warned them about inappropriate use of company technology, lapse in professionalism, should be using spare time for training; all the wicked witch of HR stuff. The CEO came to my office at the end of the day; after another round of chuckles we decided that the embarassment is punishment enough (this go around, anyway)

Dutch2

It may have been a good thing that the send to all button was inadvertently pressed. We had a similar situation that started out innocent enough but the romance increased over a short period of time and so did the messages back and forth. We do monitor ee messages and this quickly turned up as a serious misuse of the company equipment and their time at work. Not to mention some of the condent of the messages was X rated. Results both were formally counseled and one left not long afterwards.

HRinGA

I hate IM's. Hate it! Hate it! Hate it! You don't know how many of my employees have gotten in trouble over this. I've had managers beg me to get it off their ee's computers. It is such a hassle. I know one day I'm going to have to clean up a huge sexual harassment mess over this stupid IM thing. They all think it's cute until someone does something stupid.
I'm glad yours had a somewhat funny ending. I know they had to be mortified.

Paul in Cannon Beach

Thats classic. My predecessor did that one time. Sent an e-mail venting about her job and mentioning her superiors by name and hit "send all". Then a week later, she sent another one talking about how emberassed she was about the incident and hit, yes you guessed it, "send all" one more time.

Some people should stay off the information superhighway.

ray a

Yeah, us old geezers should keep to the secondary country lanes moseying along at a sedate pace.

Open1

As an HR person, I prefer to keep the young 'uns at a sedate (or deadstop) pace a la Ray's & my geezer status, at least in the workplace because these issues implode into the entire workplace rather frequently. Easier said than done!

Sincerely,
"The wicked witch of HR stuff Jr"

x:7

Dutch2

Just curious as to just what determines if one is a "geezer"? This classification may be more populated than most realize.

ray a

Well, I've been getting literature from the AARP for nearly 20 years - but it started when I was still in my mid 30s.

Dutch2

AARP must like you more than me. I have only been getting their literature for about 10 years, but I was in my mid 40's when they found my home address.

ray a

My mother won't let me join - she's too young to have a son old enough to belong to AARP. That reminds me, a couple years ago we went to Ponderosa with my parents and all four of us were given senior citizen discount. Being the youngest one (my wife is 3 years older than me) I took a lot of ribbing over that.

Dutch2

Ray:
When YOU go to a restaurant or stay at a hotel and receive the senior discount, does this apply to eveyone in your party or just to the geezers?

ray a

I don't know, it's never happened to me yet. I'm so young looking.

Dutch2

I was thinking if it was good for the entire party, it might be worth signing up and becoming a dues paying, card carrying member before we go on vacation this year. Wonder how many other senior type companies will suddenly have your home address if you sign up for AARP?

ray a

I don't know and not about to find out. Maybe in 25 years when I'm my parents age.

Dutch2

Speaking of your parents age...
My Dad was 22 when I was born.
When he was 32 I was 10 and was 31.25% of his age.
When he was 42 I was 20 and was 47.62% of his age.
When he was 52 I was 30 and was 57.7% of his age.
When he was 62 I was 40 and was 64.52% of his age.
When he was 72 I was 50 and was 69.45% of his age.
How much longer will it be before we are the same age?