You're all intelligent people, so we probably don't have to tell you that your boss (or at least that guy in the IT department who always gives you the stink eye) not only can, but probably does keep track of your web browsing habits. While you might think that means you should just avoid job hunting sites and web pages you wouldn't want your mom to see you looking at, a
recent New York court case upholds your boss's right to fire you for just spending too much time dawdling on sites that have nothing to do with your job.
In this case, an employee of the New York City school district was fired in 2006 for spending too much time checking out travel web sites like
Lonely Planet,
China Advisor, and
Escape Artists. Apparently the guy was warned, and a few days later his boss had taken a look at some 300 web sites he had visited anyway.
The specifics might not apply wherever you are. But the message is pretty clear: find a way to
anonymize your web surfing. Or umm, refrain from mixing business and pleasure.
[via
Gothamist]
