My somewhat unethical actions this morning

[F4lconF16]

So I work the night shift at a motel near my house on weekends. We have a "business center" (really just a computer) that guests can use to access the internet, print boarding passes, etc. Well, someone came in this morning and asked if she could use the business center. It's in the same room as the breakfast, and I was still setting up the breakfast, but I figured it wouldn't do anyone any harm to let her in a half hour before it was supposed to start.

Now, this business center costs $3.50 for 10 minutes of internet access, with an additional $0.35 added on for every additional minute. This, to me, seems ludicrous, particularly when you realize that the whole motel has free wifi--this only serves to punish people who weren't able to print out a ticket, or who don't have an internet capable device. I always feel bad when people are forced to use it.

This morning, however, I happened to have my computer in the room as I was listening to music. I told her she could just use that if she wanted, despite it being clear that she was willing to pay, if not enthusiastic about it. All she needed to do was check her email quickly--that shouldn't cost $3.50. I feel like this money making tactic only serves to take even more from people who often don't have much to begin with.

What do you think? I feel somewhat guilty, because I'm sure I'm not supposed to give a paying customer an alternative. That said, she clearly appreciated it a lot, and it's one of those things I'm not sure I want to feel guilty about.

[onecaliberal]

1. Good for you.

[F4lconF16]

3. Thank you. nt

[MineralMan]

2. I'd be cautious in letting strangers use your computer.

If you're like most people, you log into lots of websites automatically. A stranger can easily access places you might not want accessed. Have them use the hotel's computer, instead. It's always risky to give others access to your own computer.

[F4lconF16]

5. I was in the room about 5 feet away from her with a clear view of the screen.

I don't normally hand out my computer to strangers, but I was okay with it this time. She was clearly more of the unfortunate, tired traveler type than the make-trouble-for-the-sleepy-desk-jocky type. She logged into her email, logged out, and that was it.

Though it is risky, and I do agree that it's not generally a good idea, this was something I was happy to do for her.

[JaneyVee]

4. I think that was the ethical thing to do.

I'm sure the motel won't go broke because you let someone check their email.

[dumbcat]

9. The hotel also won't go broke

if the help takes just a few dollars out of the till now and then.

[F4lconF16]

10. Which was my thinking

And hence the source of my discomfort. That said...it doesn't seem right to charge someone for that. Much like I also strongly dislike the practice of automatically adding on a charge for using the safe in the room (which we do), even if they did not use it. At that point, you're just attempting to slip the charge by them. I'm not comfortable with that either--I always make sure to ask the guests on checkout if they used it or not, giving them a chance to remember they have to ask me to take the charge off. It's also something my boss would probably be annoyed with, but I don't like participating in things that are, imo, unethical.

[dumbcat]

17. Do you think

you should get to decide how much your owner gets to charge for things in his motel? If you think it is too high, and he doesn't, what's your justification for thinking so?

[F4lconF16]

18. I do not.

However, I rationalize like this: there's nothing wrong with me asking them if they used their safe. They should not be charged for it if they did not use it. The company may not like that I ask, but they cannot prevent me from asking.

As far as the computer, here's my thinking: if that woman had just come in and asked to use a computer, I would have provided mine, without even thinking about the company one. If she had just said, "hey, I need to check my email, can I borrow your phone?", I would have provided it for her. In this case, though ethically questionable, I think it was the right thing to do. There was a fair amount of relief in her face when I offered. Though perhaps I made the wrong decision, I'd do it again.

[dawg]

6. I'd have a clean conscience about that one.

I sure wouldn't want the boss to find out though.

[F4lconF16]

11. Eh, thankfully

My boss spends most of the day blazing it up in another room (medical purposes) and sleeps early, so I rarely ever see her other than maybe a few minutes in the morning when I get off my shift. That, and I'm not sure she'd give a crap haha. I think I'd have to try pretty hard to get fired, looking at the behavior of the other employees

[SheilaT]

7. I've never been in a motel with a computer for the guests

that then charged for that usage.

It's beginning to change, but I have noticed in recent years that upscale hotels are far more likely than not-so-upscale hotels to charge for a guest to use the internet inside their room. Sometimes they have free wifi in the lobby, but not always.

[F4lconF16]

12. It does seem a bit odd, no?

Particularly when the wifi is available free everywhere. I get the charge for printing something ($0.50) but to charge just for the internet seems odd.

It's beginning to change, but I have noticed in recent years that upscale hotels are far more likely than not-so-upscale hotels to charge for a guest to use the internet inside their room.

Interesting. Any idea why?

[SheilaT]

19. I think the thing with the upscale hotels charging for internet

is that because they cater to relatively rich people, they can get away with it. But I also think there's been enough pushback from their guests that it's beginning to change.

I have had the annoying experience of staying in a cheap motel which claims to have wifi, and then I'm in a room far enough away from a router that I can't get on.

I don't mind paying a fee for printing, although recently when I've printed anything at a hotel, they don't charge me. That they do as a courtesy, which is nice, especially when I'm printing up five copies of a ten page story that I need.

[DrewFlorida]

8. I wouldn't be checking my email on some strangers computer, even if it was free!

[F4lconF16]

13. It is a particularly risky action.

Still, as foolish as it may be, once in a while it's nice to trust in the humanity and decency of a complete stranger.

[elias49]

14. Not guilty your honor! nt

[Bluenorthwest]

15. That's hospitality....

nt

[pnwmom]

16. I don't think this was unethical -- just risky, if your employer found out about it. n/t