Net nanny-type programs are being used by more and more companies now. There is a very good reason for this, a surprising number of people do actually view p**n on their work computers. 
My uncle who is a director of one of Canada's foremost civil engineering companies told me about how even after installing such software, they had to send out a company-wide memo reminding people that it was NOT possible to view such sites on their work computers now... and people STILL tried!
I understand why they do this. The viewing of such material is offensive to some (and some material is offensive to all
), not to mention highly inappropriate in the workplace. Whilst you should be free to do it in your own home, I think people should be able to go to work without someone viewing this stuff at the next desk. I have even known a couple of people who got fired over this sort of thing.
However, I have noticed that the software we use has blocked more and more sites, so now it is not possible to view (even at lunchtime):
1) Web-based e-mail (now means I have to use my work e-mail to sign up to any work-related sites and thus get spam at work from time to time)
2) ANYTHING regarding computer games, even "cell processor" (a google search returns a "page blocked" notice)
3) Anything humourous (even clean jokes!)
4) Almost all "hey, go to this site and try this java gadget out" links in e-mails.
So, are my experiences similar to others'?
Is this level of restricition prevalent amongst multi-nationals, and do those in all sizes of companies find this?
My uncle who is a director of one of Canada's foremost civil engineering companies told me about how even after installing such software, they had to send out a company-wide memo reminding people that it was NOT possible to view such sites on their work computers now... and people STILL tried!
I understand why they do this. The viewing of such material is offensive to some (and some material is offensive to all
), not to mention highly inappropriate in the workplace. Whilst you should be free to do it in your own home, I think people should be able to go to work without someone viewing this stuff at the next desk. I have even known a couple of people who got fired over this sort of thing. However, I have noticed that the software we use has blocked more and more sites, so now it is not possible to view (even at lunchtime):
1) Web-based e-mail (now means I have to use my work e-mail to sign up to any work-related sites and thus get spam at work from time to time)
2) ANYTHING regarding computer games, even "cell processor" (a google search returns a "page blocked" notice)
3) Anything humourous (even clean jokes!)
4) Almost all "hey, go to this site and try this java gadget out" links in e-mails.
So, are my experiences similar to others'?
Is this level of restricition prevalent amongst multi-nationals, and do those in all sizes of companies find this?
