Before you get online from your workplace computer on Cyber Monday to go sales shopping, there are a few things you should know about doing so. The most important, of course, is that you could be fired for using the computer for non-work related activity. To help you make the decision on whether or not you want to risk your job for that 75 percent off sales deal on a smartphone at BestBuy.com, take these things into consideration:
A recent survey at CareerBuilders noted that 22 percent of employers surveyed have fired people for non-work related activities performed on their computers. Seven percent of resource managers admitted to firing people for holiday shopping on company time.
The same survey revealed that half of the companies surveyed have increased the monitoring of their employees' computer time.
Add into the mix that the U. S. economy is in a more or less torpid state, seemingly getting stronger but at an exorbitantly slow pace. Employment forecasts tend to be cautious for the forthcoming year (read: no or minor improvement) and the current unemployment rate in the U. S. is 9.0 percent (which means that it reflects the overall percentage of jobless in th U. S. and, depending on the state in which you reside, the unemployment rate could be even worse, like in South Carolina, where the jobless rate is 10.5 percent). That equates to roughly 13.9 million individuals. And that's just the official rate, which does not consider those who have never worked that are looking for employment (teens, high school and college graduates, adults who -- for whatever reason -- have never been employed but are seeking work at present), those that have been fired, those that quit their last place of employment, and those that have been off unemployment roles for an extended time (like the 99ers).
Before sneaking a look at your smartphone just to buy that laptop computer, consider that long-term unemployment (27 weeks and longer) has been at a record rate for over a year and that those individuals currenlty make up nearly 50 percent of the current number of unemployed. That means that getting that laptop at a great sales price could cost you your job, one that would have paid for the laptop, and a job that might not be succeeded by anothr for at least six months.
So it woud be a advantageous to the Cyber Monday worker and potential shopper to find out their company's policy on Internet browsing and/or shopping with regard to company computers. Most do not allow such use of company equipment during work hours. And with over 50 percent of workers admitting that they would at least do some of their Cyber Monday shopping online from work this year, the potential for numerous firings is considerably high.
That could be anybody. That could be you...
Your best recourse, of course, is to only shop during scheduled breaks (which usually constitute between one hour to one and a half hours -- two paid fifteen-minute breaks and half hour or hour lunch break -- in a given workday).
Conducting Cyber Monday shopping before and after working is also optimal. And if certain must-have deals arise during the workday (sales items are updated hourly -- some available for a limited time -- on many websites), arrangements should be made with friends and relatives to purchase the items in your stead.
Getting that Christmas gift at a reduced sales price shouldn't cost you your job. Besides, how are you going to pay for your sales item when you are unemployed and without benefits (many fired individuals are not eligible for unemployment benefits)?
In the end, the question is this: Is Cyber Monday shopping and nailing a great sales deal worth the risk of losing your job?
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