Anyone read about this?

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

http://www.aldotwaste.com/

Vernon Blake, an engineer at the Alabama
Department of Transportation, was upset that it was an office joke that
his boss spent most of his workday playing computer games. Since he was
the department's network administrator, Blake installed "spyware"
software on his boss's computer to get evidence; 70 percent of the 414
resulting screen shots taken over a seven-month period showed Solitaire
on the boss's screen. Blake sent the evidence to managers. The result:
his boss, assistant bureau chief George Dobbs, received a letter from
his boss complimenting his "work ethic above reproach" but gently
pointing out his game-playing was unacceptable. For his efforts, Blake
was fired, ending his 21-year career. His offense? Installing software
on department computers "without authority or permission." (Montgomery
Advertiser)

[RebelOne]

1. That was a rotten thing to do.

Because I'd be out the door at my job, too, if anyone installed spyware on my work computer.

[7th_Sephiroth]

2. if it were me, i'd leave a parting gift

an unremoveable worm that will just destroy thier internal network, and then a lawsuit for unlawfull termination

[ContraBass Black]

3. I don't think you can ge away with both.

[7th_Sephiroth]

4. A the virus is un-traceable, and i can make it look like it came

from a porn site the boss visited, and the lawsuit might not work, but i'll sure as hell draw public attention to it

[pagerbear]

6. Public attention to the fact

...that you're a snitch.

Whos' going to hire you next?

[7th_Sephiroth]

7. lol

whats it matter to you? you sound like a repub employer

[pagerbear]

8. I've worked in HR

I know how those folks think.

[7th_Sephiroth]

9. i'd get a job in the private sector

prolly pays 10x what that guy was making

[pagerbear]

10. Private sector managers

...are just as skeevy and slimy as public sector managers--and can often hire and fire with even less documented reason.

[7th_Sephiroth]

11. probably

but i have ways of dealing with it

[pagerbear]

12. Remind me never to get on your bad side!

[7th_Sephiroth]

13. actually i'd wire a manager's office for sound and video

i'd get proof of every sleazy deal and secretary BJ he recieves and be living the easy life

[ContraBass Black]

16. Everything is traceable.

It edepends on how good they are and how hard they look.

[pagerbear]

5. Screen shots are not an accurate representation

...of how someone spends his work day. Who knows what other things this manager was doing that were not on his computer? (And believe me, I am not one to defend managers by principle!)

Further, did this network guy really expect there would be no repercussions directed at him? Think about it: If they keep the manager, the manager gets rid of the network guy. Even if they can the manager, they realize they can never trust the network guy again.

If such a report were made of my computer usage, it would show lots and lots of time at DU and sending and receiving IMs. But no one complains about the amount of work I get done. (BTW, it's a Saturday morning and I'm at the office right now.)

[Deja Q]

14. Whistleblowers are not liked in this country...

Speaks volumes about our ethics and morality when this stuff happens.

If anything, Blake needed to go directly to his boss's boss. But even then, they'd still find a way to fire him.

Disgusting, corporate america is.

[lpbk2713]

15. Bottom line is the guy was fired because his superiors feared him.

They felt if they did it to his immediate superior he would do it to all the others at the top of the office food chain. They had to eliminate him before he could catch any other managers with compromising evidence much worse than playing solitaire. After all, it could mean the end of their careers or their marriages. They feel they have a lot to lose.

I've been in a similar position. I know what it's like to be regarded as a "loose cannon". It's kind of like the movie "Serpico". First you get the cold shoulder and then it gets worse.