Yahoo Bracket is Banned @ Work

[Headsterx]

Yesterday, I was able to fill out my Yahoo bracket on my work computer as it has nothing associated with gambling. I kept the page opened overnight but when I logged back on to my computer I get a message blocking access to the page. Can’t even fill out a bracket anymore. I’m surprised they don’t block ESPN as it shows odds.

 

[Wagerallsports]

I take it they can see what you do on your computer or someone saw it on your screen personally and ratted you out

 

[BMR Genie]

Haha, this reminds me of my post the other day:

Don’t be a jerk off and talk about your brackets

40 million to one

forum.bookmakersreview.com

"During March Madness, corporate losses due to unproductive workers can reach an estimated $20 billion, with employees spending an average of 2.4 hours per day checking scores and tracking brackets, or even calling in sick to watch games. "

 

[Headsterx]

I take it they can see what you do on your computer or someone saw it on your screen personally and ratted you out

They do have the capability to check individual computers but we’re so big that I don’t think they were specifically target anyone without credible support of wrong doing. I’m thinking IT just changed the settings for everyone in blocking access to websites that allows filling out of brackets. Each year they get stricter and stricter about our workplace conduct.

Strangely we usually get an email around this time explaining the rules against gambling at work, but so far nothing. Years ago we would have NFL contests (even had a coworker coming back from Reno over the weekend with parlays cards and handing them out) and March Madness contest but that all stopped.

 

[BMR Genie]

They do have the capability to check individual computers but we’re so big that I don’t think they were specifically target anyone without credible support of wrong doing. I’m thinking IT just changed the settings for everyone in blocking access to websites that allows filling out of brackets. Each year they get stricter and stricter about our workplace conduct.

Strangely we usually get an email around this time explaining the rules against gambling at work, but so far nothing. Years ago we would have NFL contests (even had a coworker coming back from Reno over the weekend with parlays cards and handing them out) and March Madness contest but that all stopped.

Looks like HR forgot to pass the memo haha.

Hopefully, you will be able to enjoy the game and check your bracket as soon as you're out of the office, Heads. (just don't do it while you're driving ).

 

[Tanko]

Be careful Headsterx...

I was a middle manager at a big company 20K employees across the world. When I was moving up through management over the years, I would be sent a monthly report from IT on "unauthorized" use of the company internet services. It detailed everything (time spent, sites, etc...). Of course occassional use to read the news was allowed but we had some people doing really stupid stuff and had to be let go.

They tracked everything. If you had a company phone, they did the same with it. I remember no one wanted a company phone due to the tracking and no one wants to carry two phones. Then the company required you to download an app to your personal phone if you read company emails/texts on it. It tracked your personal stuff too so no one downloaded it.

Everyone ended up getting company phones just for work email and texts. Cost the company millions for the phones and plans.

 

[BMR Genie]

Be careful Headsterx...

I was a middle manager at a big company 20K employees across the world. When I was moving up through management over the years, I would be sent a monthly report from IT on "unauthorized" use of the company internet services. It detailed everything (time spent, sites, etc...). Of course occassional use to read the news was allowed but we had some people doing really stupid stuff and had to be let go.

They tracked everything. If you had a company phone, they did the same with it. I remember no one wanted a company phone due to the tracking and no one wants to carry two phones. Then the company required you to download an app to your personal phone if you read company emails/texts on it. It tracked your personal stuff too so no one downloaded it.

Everyone ended up getting company phones just for work email and texts. Cost the company millions for the phones and plans.

Wow! I know it's company property, but doing so will not violate their privacy, Tank?

 

[Wagerallsports]

I still come across some restaurants who don’t allow access to any sites which are sports betting related (not offshore sites) on their wifi even though it’s basically legal now in states.
I always think to myself cmon catch up with what’s going on in the world

 

[Tanko]

Wow! I know it's company property, but doing so will not violate their privacy, Tank?

Personal privacy does not exist when you are using company property.

Over my time there, I had to let 2 people go. One was for p*rn and one was for watching movies online on company time. I'm sure there were hundreds fired over the entire company over the years. Once someone gets fired, it gets everyone else's attention and the issue goes away.

TBH... I was just as bad. I used to watch an NCAA tourny game or two at work but, I was smart about it... I used personal phone and cell service (not company wifi). I mean, you have to watch the dance, right?

 

[jjgold]

Love it nobody should be using a cell phone or the Internet at a job

 

[Tanko]

I still come across some restaurants who don’t allow access to any sites which are sports betting related (not offshore sites) on their wifi even though it’s basically legal now in states.
I always think to myself cmon catch up with what’s going on in the world

That happened at the hospital where my grand-daughter was born. It was a religon based hosptial so, probably no surprise. Cell service was bad so you had to use their wifi.

They blocked BMR, sports betting sites, etc..... I think the only thing I could get to was Biblehub.com (i'm exaggerating a little).

 

[BMR Genie]

Personal privacy does not exist when you are using company property.

Over my time there, I had to let 2 people go. One was for p*rn and one was for watching movies online on company time. I'm sure there were hundreds fired over the entire company over the years. Once someone gets fired, it gets everyone else's attention and the issue goes away.

TBH... I was just as bad. I used to watch an NCAA tourny game or two at work but, I was smart about it... I used personal phone and cell service (not company wifi). I mean, you have to watch the dance, right?

Oh wow! Hold on a minute, I just need to disconnect something right away.

For real, but it should also be the HR initiative to have a company time event for workers to get to enjoy major sports events like the March madness and the Super Bowl.

 

[thetrinity]

quit this job immediately

 

[Tanko]

Oh wow! Hold on a minute, I just need to disconnect something right away.

For real, but it should also be the HR initiative to have a company time event for workers to get to enjoy major sports events like the March madness and the Super Bowl.

The companies don't care about these events.

Hope you got whatever it was dicsonnected.

 

[BobbyFK]

You can use a circumventer to get around it

Free web proxy - browse fast & anonymously

Best free web proxy, browse anonymously, and unblock your favorite websites.

proxyium.com

Disclaimer I'm not responsible for your use of it

 

[DiggityDaggityDo]

Personal privacy does not exist when you are using company property.

Over my time there, I had to let 2 people go. One was for p*rn and one was for watching movies online on company time. I'm sure there were hundreds fired over the entire company over the years. Once someone gets fired, it gets everyone else's attention and the issue goes away.

TBH... I was just as bad. I used to watch an NCAA tourny game or two at work but, I was smart about it... I used personal phone and cell service (not company wifi). I mean, you have to watch the dance, right?

How did the conversation with the porn watcher go when you fired his ass, Tanko?

 

[Tanko]

How did the conversation with the porn watcher go when you fired his ass, Tanko?

He denied it and said someone else was using his login. Hard to believe him since he was the only one checked into the building one weekend when IT tracked his computer watching p*rn.

I told him OK. Lets go through the porn sites IT indicated he was viewing. Unfortunately, when we got to a "hot" video, he screwed up and shouted, "Watch this. This is cool what this chick does with that guy."
I knew he was guilty and he knew it too.

 

[Headsterx]

Be careful Headsterx...

I was a middle manager at a big company 20K employees across the world. When I was moving up through management over the years, I would be sent a monthly report from IT on "unauthorized" use of the company internet services. It detailed everything (time spent, sites, etc...). Of course occassional use to read the news was allowed but we had some people doing really stupid stuff and had to be let go.

They tracked everything. If you had a company phone, they did the same with it. I remember no one wanted a company phone due to the tracking and no one wants to carry two phones. Then the company required you to download an app to your personal phone if you read company emails/texts on it. It tracked your personal stuff too so no one downloaded it.

Everyone ended up getting company phones just for work email and texts. Cost the company millions for the phones and plans.

Yikes! Yeah, I definitely avoid the obvious off limits sites. Didn’t think filling out a bracket would be prohibited but no big deal. They do say we are allowed to use internet on our breaks/lunch. But I mostly use my phone and definitely when watching games.

It’s interesting on what is allowed by them sometimes. I can view flashscore but not scorebing to follow soccer. Sometimes I’ll search for bars to go after work and once in awhile I’ll get blocked for a bar website (and it’s not a strip club). But searching for Dave & Busters or BWW hasn’t been a problem. But I’ll just lay low and stay off the internet for personal usage for a few weeks at work.