employment posts

Anonymous, Sexual Blog Comment Costs School Employee Job

by Amar Toor (RSS feed) — Nov 19th 2009 at 1:06PM

HuffPo reports that a man in St. Louis lost his job at a local school after posting a vulgar response to an online poll, when the St. Louis Post-Dispatch last Friday asked readers the following question: "What's the craziest thing you've ever eaten?" Spotting a hanging curveball, the employee posted a one-word vulgarity, alluding to a certain female anatomical feature. Web site administrators deleted the comment, only to have it re-posted. At that point, Kurt Greenbaum, director of social media at the newspaper, used the IP address to trace the original obscenity back to a school. Job loss ensued.

The following Monday, Greenbaum wrote an article titled, "Post a vulgar comment while you're at work, lose your job." One reader argued, "You guys don't like moderating so you call his work and get him fired." Greenbaum's reply, dripping with sarcasm, read, "Yeah, you caught me! I made him log on to his computer at work, visit STLtoday.com's Talk of the Day, read the item, type a vulgarity and hit the 'submit' key."

The guy shouldn't have been making these comments from a school computer, but isn't Greenbaum overstepping his bounds here? It's the responsibility of the newspaper to filter its readers' comments (Ed. Note: Wouldn't know anything about that at Switched. Our commenters are all angels.) -- not to monitor its readers' behavior. For whatever reason, the site maintenance team couldn't just color within the lines of their own Web site; they had to go "tell teacher." The most reprehensible part, though, is Greenbaum's smug self-righteousness, regardless of right or wrong. The only thing that resulted was someone losing their livelihood. Let's take it down a notch on the sarcasm, shall we? [From: Huffington Post]

Tags: comments, employment, journalism, newspaper, obscenity, privacy, school

American Airlines Fires Worker For Responding to Customer Complaint

by Amar Toor (RSS feed) — Nov 10th 2009 at 4:18PM

Ever since they started cutting costs in the face of an industry-wide slowdown a few years ago, airlines haven't exactly been Mr. Popular among traveling consumers. Long lines and delays have left most passengers dismayed and disgruntled. And now, one airline in particular faces a growing PR crisis after firing one of its employees over... defending his company?

The former worker, identified only by the mysterious "Mr. X," was a Web designer for American Airlines, and, as Web designers are wont to do, found himself online one day, browsing through blogs. One post, in particular, gave him pause. Fellow designer Dustin Curtis composed an extensive open letter to the airline, complaining about its Web site, suggesting an alternative look, and recommending that it fire its Web design team. Mr. X, upon reading the blog, courteously responded via e-mail, saying that Curtis was "so very right," but noting that any Web inadequacies had less to do with staff incompetency and more to do with the "internal culture" of the company. According to the Telegraph, he also assured Curtis that the site was under renovation, and that improvements would be forthcoming.

Tags: airlines, american airlines, AmericanAirlines, employment, fired, top, workplace

Google, Web

Think You Can Answer Google's Job Interview Questions?

by Amar Toor (RSS feed) — Nov 8th 2009 at 8:45AM

Many of us are fascinated by Google's super laid-back, just-wanna-have-fun work environment, especially when juxtaposed with its massive financial success. The company having long been considered one of the world's best employers, ~~dorks~~ people like us have always wondered what it takes to land a cushy position in those San Francisco offices. Now, thanks to the release of some alleged sample interview questions, we know. You've just got to know the "significance of dead beef."

Well, that, and a host of other really weird things (e.g., How many piano tuners are there in the world? How many golf balls can fit inside a school bus?). The interview does have its fair share of typically techie, super-complex questions -- the kinds of things you'd expect most Google geniuses to know -- but the oddball questions are by far the most fascinating. That being said, we're not so much intrigued by their impossible difficulty (Asking impossible questions can give you a feel for someone's thought process.) as we are by their tinges of quirky humor. We don't know this for certain, but we assume that the Google execs would probably approve of anyone who would appreciate the weird sense of humor underscoring these questions and would answer accordingly. Above all, the queries give some insight into that rare breed of brilliant yet zany person that Google is clearly seeking.

Tags: employment, funny, google, google corporate, GoogleCorporate, job interview, JobInterview, jobs, top, weird

Computers

Pilots Who Overshot Destination Claim to Have Been Busy on Laptops

by Amar Toor (RSS feed) — Oct 27th 2009 at 1:14PM

Crucial as they are to so many businesses, computers can also be distracting in the workplace. All too often, employees exchange YouTube goodies or IMs in lieu of doing real work. Most of the time, though, it's innocuous enough; we all need to shut off our minds at some point during the workday. Of course, our office isn't hurtling through the air at 30,000 feet, and our jobs don't entail keeping that office from becoming a pile of flaming fuselage.

According to CNN, the two commercial pilots who overshot their destination by a good 150 miles last week are now claiming that they were on their laptops in the cockpit, and just "lost track of time and location." Northwest Airbus A320 was making its way from San Diego to Minneapolis before aviation officials lost radio contact somewhere around Denver. Delta, the parent of Northwest, said in a released statement that "using laptops or engaging in activity unrelated to the pilots' command of the aircraft during flight is strictly against the airline's flight deck policies and violations of that policy will result in termination."

Tags: airlines, airplane, employment, faa, laptop, top

Web

How a Geek Can Bomb a Job Interview

by Caleb Johnson (RSS feed) — Oct 17th 2009 at 10:21AM

While usually well-intentioned, geeks are often awkward in social situations. (No, Facebook doesn't count.) We're talking about face-to-face conversation. Short of a permanent power outage, it might be the geek's worst nightmare.

We understand nerves can get the best of a person sometimes. Nonetheless, there are times when direct communication is simply unavoidable. For example, a job interview. Now, if you're not a master orator (no, speaking through a wireless headset while playing 'Halo 3' doesn't count, either), the prospect of sitting across a desk from a potential employer sends shivers up your spine. Don't fret! Just commit this list of 11 ways geeks ruin job interviews to memory.

Tags: employment, funny, geek, humor, interview, jobs, list, top

Web

Irish Factory Workers Fired Over Porn, Picket Pizza Plant

by Caleb Johnson (RSS feed) — Oct 5th 2009 at 3:23PM

For some reason, people will risk total embarrassment and unemployment to watch porn at work. Of all the places we'd rather not think about people thinking sexy thoughts, a factory that makes pizzas has to be near the top.

According to the Leinster Leader, three employees at the Green Isle Foods plant in Naas, Ireland were fired at the end of September for "improper use of the company's IT system, including the spreading of adult material." A representative of the workers told the Belfast Telegraph that, in truth, they were not booted for porn, but because they had received a confidential company e-mail that was sent by mistake. Now, 35 workers are picketing the plant in protest, and the company last week refused an invitation to discuss this mess with the Technical, Engineering and Electrical Union.

Tags: email, employment, factory, fired, food, pizza, porn, top, union, work

Web, Social Networking

President Obama Warns Kids About Dumb Facebooking

by Lee Bains (RSS feed) — Sep 9th 2009 at 2:25PM

Listen, children, we've warned you about posting your youthful indiscretions on Facebook and the likely ramifications. We've told you to be wary of what you post, as employers -- actual or potential -- will almost certainly scrutinize your profile, possibly firing or declining to hire you if they don't like what they see. We've given you example after example after example. So, what do you do? You post incriminating comments on Facebook and get yourselves fired. Oh, we know. Nobody wants to listen to those dumb old dweebs at Switched. Well, would you maybe listen to the President of the United States?

During President Obama's address to the nation's youth yesterday, one student asked how a youngster might become president. "Well, let me give you some very practical tips," the President answered. "First of all, I want everybody here to be careful about what you post on Facebook, because in the YouTube age, whatever you do, it will be pulled up again later somewhere in your life." Check out the video after the break (Obama's answer starts around 2:00).

Tags: barack obama, BarackObama, employment, facebook, facebook face loss, FacebookFaceLoss, kids, social networking, SocialNetworking

Web

New Zealand Woman Fired for Using Bolded ALL CAPS in E-Mail

by Caleb Johnson (RSS feed) — Sep 1st 2009 at 12:40PM

A New Zealand office worker recently learned a tough lesson: When sending an e-mail, be careful with fonts and colors. Someone could interpret that bold sentence the wrong way.

According to The New Zealand Herald, Vicki Walker was fired from her position as financial controller at ProCare Health for sending "confrontational" e-mails that included words in red, bold, and worst of all, capital letters. This happened in December 2007, after Walker had already worked her white-collar job for nearly two years. ProCare says that Walker's e-mails had sown seeds of discord in the office, because they included things like specified times and dates in red. Oh, my! And how dare Walker highlight and bold this statement in blue: "To ensure your staff claim is processed and paid, please do follow the below checklist." What an outrage!

However, Walker may have the last laugh, here. After being fired, she did what any sane person would do and took her former employer to court. Not only did Walker receive the equivalent of $12,000 for unfair dismissal, but she also plans on pressing further charges. Get it while you can, lady. At least she has a legitimate complaint, unlike this fool who badmouthed his job on Facebook. After all, office workers' rights to bold, highlight and capitalize should be protected at any cost. How else do you get a point across in this day and age? Speak it, or something? [From: The New Zealand Herald]

Tags: e-mail, email, employment, etiquette, fired, lawsuit, NewZealand, office, top, web, work, workplace

Web

Need a Job? Update Your Facebook Status and Start Tweeting

by Warren Riddle (RSS feed) — Aug 22nd 2009 at 2:28PM

A mere 15 years ago, job hunting required serious work. The unemployed and the discontent were forced to endure extensive letter writing, cold calling, and frequent trips to the copy store to create professional resumes. Don't even get us started on job fairs. The Internet age has completely altered that job-hunting dynamic; faxing a resume to everyone in the yellow pages, scouring paper classifieds, and waiting by the phone are now almost completely obsolete.

According to Business Week, outplacement consultants Challenger, Gray, and Christmas (CG&C) recently released poll results stating that, behind traditional networking among friends and acquaintances, the most effective method of finding a job is to rub elbows on social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. The old standbys of newspaper classifieds and job fairs actually received the lowest ratings.

Tags: classifieds, employment, facebook, job search, jobs, JobSearch, linkedin, recession, top, twitter, unemployment

Computers, Web

A Guide for First-Time IT Employees

by Warren Riddle (RSS feed) — Aug 12th 2009 at 8:21AM

Yacoset, a Google-hosted site that provides "Software Engineering Tips," has released a guide for recently graduated students who are about to experience their first taste of the real world. Yes, the actual world of employment, where they'll get up early every morning, put on a (non-popped) collared shirt, and toil for nine long hours in an office where, according to Yacoset, "Nobody knows what they are doing."

The piece focuses on preparing young professionals for the initial, and lingering, shock that comes with working for a series of managers who "have no clue what they want or how to get it." The guide describes how to address infuriating instances of widespread ineptitude and basic tech ignorance, but it also offers helpful tips on forging office allies and moving up the corporate ladder.

Tags: employment, funny, IT, IT jobs, ItJobs, jobs, top, yacoset

Computers

Former Employees Sue Apple for Unpaid Overtime

by Tim Stevens (RSS feed) — Aug 9th 2009 at 8:26AM

Former Employee Sues Apple for Unpaid Overtime

If you're a fan of all things Apple, a lover of Cupertino's best products, a devotee of the original brick of an iPod to the latest iPhone 3G S, you might think that working at Apple would be a dream come true. You might want to think again. Former employee Kenyon Zahner and a team of others are all suing for unpaid overtime, according to Apple Insider.

Zahner, along with his collection of unnamed fellow plaintiffs, indicates that he was repeatedly ordered by Apple to work for more than 40 hours a week, which is a sad but all-too-common practice in the computer world. But, Zahner was classified as a non-exempt employee, which meant he couldn't be paid overtime despite being required to put in those extra shifts.

It's unclear whether Zahner worked for Apple HQ or at a local Apple Store, or exactly what his position was. To make things even murkier, Zahner and his co-plaintiffs are apparently unable to lay claim to a dollar amount, the suit alleging that records of the plaintiffs' hours are in the "exclusive possession and sole custody" of their former employer. The suit promises to soon commence discovery proceedings, whereby the plaintiffs could get their hands on those records.

We do know that the lawsuit was filed in Broward County, Florida, and you can be sure we'll be watching to see what comes next. It's certainly not the first time Apple's been sued, and we're guessing the company will come out fighting in order to defend its tarnished image. [From: AppleInsider]

Tags: apple, employment, kenyon zahner, KenyonZahner, labor laws, LaborLaws, law, lawsuit, lawsuits, overtime, top

MySpace, Web, Social Networking

Police Officer Forced to Resign Over Old MySpace Pics

by Leila Brillson (RSS feed) — Jul 6th 2009 at 5:01PM

This February, Abigail Keller -- a 27-year-old, full-time reserve officer on Altoona, Iowa's police force -- resigned over controversy surrounding questionable pictures posted to her MySpace account. Keller was in her fifth month of reserve duty, the Des Moines Register reported today, when a local businessman showed print-outs of the page to a city officer.

Police Chief John Gray, testifying at Keller's recent hearing for unemployment benefits, said: "In one photograph, she is displaying her naked buttocks or mooning the person who is taking the picture. In another, she is performing simulated sex acts on both males and females." In response, Keller said that the mooning picture was taken down before she was hired, and that the "simulated sex acts" constituted her making "kissy faces" and sticking her tongue out with a group of girls at a bar.

Tags: employment, facebook, myspace, police, privacy, social networking, SocialNetworking, top, unemployment

Web, Social Networking

Montana City Asks Potential Employees to Hand Over Personal Passwords

by Terrence O'Brien (RSS feed) — Jun 21st 2009 at 7:45AM

Officials in the city of Bozeman, Montana have apparently lost their minds. An anonymous tipster alerted local media that upon applying for a job with the city he or she was asked to hand over log-in credentials for any social networking sites with which they had an account.

According to the local CBS affiliate, in addition to a clause permitting a standard background check of education, employment, and criminal history, the application includes a section that reads:

Please list any and all, current personal or business websites, web pages or memberships on any Internet-based chat rooms, social clubs or forums, to include, but not limited to: Facebook, Google, Yahoo, YouTube.com, MySpace, etc.,

The form (warning: PDF) then has lines for filling in the Web site address, user name, and password.

Tags: employment, government, privacy, social networking, SocialNetworking, top

Computers

Study Suggests Your IT Staff May Be Snooping On You

by Caleb Johnson (RSS feed) — Jun 10th 2009 at 4:10PM

Just when you thought records, passwords, and other personal information might be safe at the office, Reuters reports that a new study by Cyber-Ark, a data security company, found that 35-percent of Information Technology (IT) professionals use their digital know-how to access confidential information at work. This marks a 2-percent increase since a similar study was conducted last year.

The 400 senior IT professionals surveyed (in the United States and U.K.) admitted to sneaking a peek at everything from salary details to minutes from board meetings. However, the study found the most commonly snooped data were human resource records. Customer databases, merger and acquisition plans, layoff lists, and marketing information rounded out the list of most snooped information.

Tags: data security, DataSecurity, employment, information technology, InformationTechnology, it, security, top

Web, Social Networking

Yet Someone Else Fired for Private Comments on MySpace

by Tim Stevens (RSS feed) — May 6th 2009 at 2:26PM

In the past we've shown plenty of examples of employees and students losing their jobs and receiving other sorts of punishment for comments and photos posted publicly on social networks like Facebook and MySpace. We've always advised you to lock down your security settings on these sites, but now it seems that's not enough, with the case of a woman getting fired for making comments on MySpace in private.

The woman, Doreen Marino, worked at a New Jersey restaurant and created a MySpace group with a number of her co-workers. In that group, Marino's colleagues all vented about their managers and, in some cases, their customers, too. The group was fully private and password protected.

Tags: employment, facebook, facebook face loss, FacebookFaceLoss, myspace, social networking, SocialNetworking, top

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'Black Friday' Deals to Watch For

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Black Friday' Deals to Watch For

Traditionalists might balk, but the holiday shopping season is already underway. Skeptical? Head to your local department store and you'll be inundated by Christmas trees and ornaments. Bargain hunters, though, know that the real deals are more than a month away.

Black Friday, traditionally, is when retailers truly slash prices. Early birds can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars off of their holiday bills. Switched.com checked with a few elves, who gave a sneak peek at what you can expect deal-wise this year.

Blu-ray Players and Movies: Blu-ray is shaping up to be the biggest door buster of this year's Black Friday. de Grandpre expects at least one retailer will offer a Blu-ray player for just $49. Look for bargains on Blu-ray films as well, with last year's hit titles (such as "Iron Man") to fall as low as $5.

Laptops: With the proliferation of Netbooks this year, it's never been easier to find affordable portable computing, but Dan de Grandpre, CEO of DealNews.com says it will get even cheaper on Black Friday. Look for well-equipped Netbooks to sell for $199 – and basic 15" laptops to go for as little as $249.

HDTVs (Pretty big): The holidays are typically the best time to buy a new TV – and Black Friday is the time to do it. If you're looking for a normal sized set, you're in luck. Piper Jaffrey analyst Mitch Kaiser says he expects to see 32-inch LCD sets for as low as $299. GottaDeal.com is estimating 37-inch plasma and LCD sets will fall to $399 or less.

HDTVs (Really big): Need something bigger? How about a 46-47 inch LCD set for $599 – a 25 percent savings? Or a 52-inch LCD for $999? Dealnews says you can expect both. Plasma deals will be a little harder to come by, but a 50-inch set should run roughly $899.

HD Camcorders: You've wanted to shoot your child's school play in HD for a while, but haven't been able to spring for the pricey camcorder. This might be the year. Low-end, flash-based 720p models could drop as low as $60 (though you won't be able to zoom with those). Expect a high quality 1080p HD camcorder for $349.

GPS: While navigation systems have dramatically expanded their reach this year – even making it onto the iPhone – there's still a market for car-based systems. Dealnews predicts you'll be able to find a no-name entry-level system for $49, while a Garmin or Tom-Tom brand will be as low as $69.

Digital Picture Frames: Showcasing your digital pictures consistently gets cheaper. This year, skip the 7-inch screens and focus on the 8- or 9-inch ones, which should be available on Black Friday for as little as $30.

Monitors: Computer monitors might not be the sexiest of gifts, but they're usually welcomed with open arms – and they'll be cheap this year. Name brand 22-inch LCD models may go for as low as $99, while 24-inch models will drop below $150.

Memory: Don't know anyone who needs a monitor? External hard drives are always popular, since they're an easy way to back-up data. Dealnews expects a 1TB drive to fall as low as $49 this year. Gottadeal is looking for 8GB flash drives to hit $15.

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