My Employer Says No To Pipesmagazine

[gwtwdbss]

Yea, my company blocks pipes mag on their network with a similar message. I didn't sign anything but its their company pc and their network, so their rules. It sucks but as stated above, there is always the smart phone alternative.

 

[spartan]

I think blocking news-related sites because of "objectionable material" makes more sense than blocking a tobacco site lol.
You adults and you're crazy rules. I hope when my generation runs the world in 30 years we'll undo all of the webs you old farts in power have intangled us in.

 

[colcolt]

I had the same problem the first time I tried to access the forum from work. There was a pop up that said something like this, "This site permanently blocked-"tobacco" or something close to that. Rather silly I think. I have to wait till I'm home or the weekends to check the forum.

 

[docwatson]

Same situation here. My pipe and cigar sites were blocked, but I spoke with one of the IT guys and had it unblocked. He did me a real favor and agreed that there was nothing offensive about it despite the fact that tobacco is considered politically incorrect today. Just lucky for me I guess.

 

[pipewife]

I think Kevin hit the nail on the head when he said "in this economy" ... the employers have the upper hand and they know it. Do what your collar can afford.

 

[quaffer]

Most places that I have worked in the past do not allow any non-work related use of the internet. It did not matter if it was on lunch break or not. I prefer that rule to the 'objectionable material' wording. There is no grey area or room for interpretation.

 

[photoman13]

Never had a job that required me to be on the computer but I think all you guys with good jobs should work hard and forget about play time while there. A lot of us would love to have good jobs and seems wrong that you want to be on the forum while working. Sorry for the rant but it just bothers me.

 

[winton]

My job regularly requires google searches for research. I go lots of sites, but always with a business purpose. At lunch I hit Yahoo for personal e-mail, and then hit economic blogs. I would not touch any remotely questionable sites from work. That is what the home computer is for.
FYI, years ago, during a downturn, my former employer rolled out internet access for everyone. There were mass e-mails about being wise in how it was used. Then suddenly 30 people were fired for inappropriate usage. Do NOT make yourself an easy target for lowering the headcount.
Winton

 

[lankfordjl]

I'm in education. Part of my office hours entails study time for myself. Pipesmagazine.com is a great educational site. If someone at work ever questioned me about being on the site so much, then I could fill them up with loads of facts related to health, history of tobacco, truth about tobacco use, political policy, etc. PM is a great educational site really!

 

[smokeystover]

You might want to at least mention it to your IT department. I know our IT department installs internet filters out of the box with some ridiculously politically correct settings, but will open up access to sites on request, as long as the site isn't truly offensive or inappropriate. The last time our filters at work were upgraded, the Air Force Times website was blocked because it contained references to "weapons". Duhhh! I pointed this out to our admins, and the site was unblocked immediately.

 

[mkvillaire]

I apologize to those of you who are "bothered" that those of us that have internet access at work sometimes look at web sites while there. I worked and studied hard to get where I am today. I just want to clarify that my Company does not prohibit looking at sites while at work, otherwise I wouldn't do it. Up until a few days ago I didn't realize that this forum was considered "inappropriate."

 

[jbbaldwin]

I work in education, teaching in a public high school. I have never tried to log on to this forum even during lunch because I don't want to court trouble. I do know that our school's filters do not allow access to the local opera company's website because of "adult content!" Hah!

 

[lankfordjl]

@jbbaldwin
College level internet filtering is different...sometimes students do research papers on "adult topics" -- especially in nursing, fine art, psychology, etc. All that I know of that is block is obvious pornography sites and online gambling. At any given time, if you go to our library the students are wasting time on Facebook and online gaming....but they're paying for it!
Ha. We have a no tobacco policy campus wide now...but one of my colleagues just dares someone to tell him that he can't have his snuff; that is, dip in the building. And if I see a student with tobacco...I'm not stopping him. Shhh...don't tell anyone that we're rebellious. Things always change...the tide will turn. Our no tobacco policy is just "good" politics; our president said he hated to approve it because his dad had been an avid cigar smoker.

 

[batdemon]

there is always the smart phone alternative

Not always. At my job you are not supposed to use your cell unless you are on break or lunch and even then you are not supposed to use it in the work area, only in lunch/break room or outside.

 

[photoman13]

Never had a job where I could use my cell phone either. Nor could I afford a smart phone any how. It never occurred to me that there were breaks where it was permissible to use the internet for your personal use. I apologize for being stupid in my comment above.

 

[baronsamedi]

Employers across the board are getting stricter because they know people just can't leave and get another job. EEOC and workplace harrassment complaints are at an all-time high. My HR even sent out an email about it recently. My employer blocks all kinds of crap and uses an outdated system, which make sit hard to view stuff online. I find a way to defeat the blocker on things I really want to see. Other stuff, I just use my smartphone. Most things aren't important enough that I cant wait a few hours and look at it at home.

 

[kris]

My crappy work phone (win 6.5) blocks EVERYTHING related to tobaccco as age related..
Except for this site. Good job, Kev!

 

[lazydog]

I knew there were a lot of good reasons to retire......The noose tightens....everywhere.

 

[hobie1dog]

When you are a modern day slave, working for others who dictate when you are to show up for work, what you are supposed to do, when you can go home, etc., then they cam make all the rules. Big Brother is watching.

 

[crazypipe]