[larac]

Ok so my work is like a prison camp where we swipe in and out. The boss/owner of the company doesn't have a computer but has an amazing PA who has her own PA and so somehow he is incredible at keeping up with everything. She has access to all our email (we have to use an archaic IBM system called Lotus Notes) and God knows how but he knows everything, often before we even do no matter whether he is in the office or not...it really is quite remarkable and even though everyone hates it we all kind of admire him for it too. We can't keep up with our own work in one part of the business...he keeps up with every detail across 5 businesses.

He knows about skype and loves the fact that we use it because it cuts down enormously on his international phone bills.

Anyway it must have dawned on him that not everything is in the emails and we use skype instant messaging to get around big brother.

Well today a computer with a monster screen arrived and is on his desk because he wants to be able to see our email for himself and apparently he will be able anything on our screens. We don't think he will be able to see our actual skype accounts just what is on the screen.

Is this possible? At my last company if you called IT for help they could help you remotely by taking over your computer but you had to authorise that...will he be able to see our screens without us knowing? Is there any way to stop Big Brother/ Big Boss?

Alot of our skypes are bitching about the company because the place is insane and he has set it up deliberately to make everyone fight with each other but it is also used alot to reach conclusions/agreements before they go into the email for confirmation because if you use email he often intervenes before the conversation has concludes which is just so anti-productive because he only knows half the story and jumps to conclusions.

I hardly use the computer at work for personal stuff so that is ok but I do use my work laptop at home so am I right in thinking I am 'safe' at home?


Seriously this is the last straw. In alot of shops here they follow you round to 'help' you ...at home they only do this to stop you from stealing. Well that is what I feel like - I'm being accused of stealing and he is watching to make sure I don't.

[jimbo]

Originally Posted by larac

I hardly use the computer at work for personal stuff so that is ok but I do use my work laptop at home so am I right in thinking I am 'safe' at home?

Personally I'd get the hell out of there as your boss is clearly paranoid,

And no you are not safe at home either on a works laptop, As he could of got some sort of key logger type of software installed on the laptop so everything and anything you type is noted down and can be sent to him.

[Cookie666]

Woooooo, I'm with Jimbo on this one. I can't answer your questions on safety but, I'd be outta there.

I guess he can do what he likes depending on what you signed when you were employed ie, privacy act etc.

[saphireruby]

No, you're not safe using your work laptop at home. Whatever you see he/she can see. Dates, times website listings etc.,

[larac]

Right it looks like I'll be leaving the mac at work from now on....and yes the countdown has begun for departure.

[MrMoo]

Originally Posted by saphireruby

No, you're not safe using your work laptop at home. Whatever you see he/she can see. Dates, times website listings etc.,

I'm surprised there isn't a key-logger installed.

[hk.com]

Not all spying and security measures and controls are bad. Some can work in your advantage.

We are currently we are working on a product to control email usage and implement policies. It is designed for risk management and make sure people don't make mistakes. Most companies have no controls on email and employees can tarnish their career, lose their job or cost their employers money. Mistakes like sending the wrong stuff to the wrong people. Do things that they are not authorized to do, etc...

At times it is a good thing I think.

In the wrong hands (or a psycho boss) the system can be used to manage email out of a prison or concentration camp and things can turn scary.

[saphireruby]

Originally Posted by MrMoo

I'm surprised there isn't a key-logger installed.

There may well be a ley-logger installed. It can be totally invisible on 98, NT & vista and the boss sounds a little paranoid.

[Shabby]

sounds like a terrible terrible place to work and in any case - it seems like your boss can do it all himself. In fact why not encourage ALL your co-workers to leave at the same time and see how he handles it?

[KnowItAll]

Better do the encouraging through non-electronic means - secret handshakes and smoke signals come to mind.