Saw co-worker at my office watching porn. Now what? Forum

[The Duck]

I wouldn't say the responses are male. OP seemed disgusted but not offended. If he was truly offended, he should say so. But I'm not sure why starting with the person offending him is not the right move. Why wouldn't you give him an opportunity to correct it first? That's just human decency (whether he was decent by watching it or not).

As for stealing time, Government workers are salaried and most end up working way more than 40 hours a week. I wouldn't argue that him doing anything personal for potentially 5 minutes is stealing. Hell, he may have had nothing to do at the moment.

I don't agree with what he's watching at work. But I also don't agree with destroying his career over could be a one time transgression. And for all we know that's what this is. And that's what happens if you don't give him the opportunity to fix it first.

This is obviously conduct closer to the line, but I've seen guys fired for an off-color joke in poor taste simply because someone ran to the boss. It may have been a poor decision, but wouldn't you want the opportunity to fix it first? In the instance with the joke, he didn't even realize he had offended someone. The woman who turned him in often talked about things I'd deem way more offensive. But enforcement of workplace rules tend to skew way more heavily towards men then women.

Also, if you think you can go to HR and not out him your nuts. They will compel you to do it out of fear of liability whether they feel action should be taken or not.

[dresden doll]

I don't see any point in reporting this dude to the supervisor.

[lukertin]

Am I the only one who sees this as a problem? This guy is breaking the law, because he is stealing taxpayers' time, as any government employee knows. At the very least, this guy is not cultivating a safe work environment for even male employees like you. I wouldn't ignore it, because who knows what else is going on. (It was easy to look over what happened at Penn State, even if there were signs.) I'd maybe talk about it with HR rather than the supervisor. You might not even want to out him, but just bring up how you were uncomfortable and see if HR thinks it's something that needs further action. There are even anonymous hotlines for government employees in some states to talk about ethical issues that you spot and get advice on what to do about it.

As a government employee, I have this to say to you:


You are an idiot. Shut up and crawl back in your hole.

[Fletcher Reed]

Let it go and focus on yourself and getting ahead.

[lukertin]

Um, these posts shouldn't be Anonymous. There is no revealing personal information that requires it.

EDIT: or are you the OP?

OP is male, this flap cheese is female.

[TrustMeMaybe]

REPORT HIM?
You're an intern. Keep your mouth shut and do your work. Maybe you'll learn something about how the world actually works.

[paratactical]

Um, these posts shouldn't be Anonymous. There is no revealing personal information that requires it.

EDIT: or are you the OP?

OP is male, this flap cheese is female.

Yeah, if these posts aren't OP, they should be outed and not left Anonymous.

[lukertin]

This thread gave me the idea to watch porn on my phone while at work. Thanks, OP!

That said, there is clearly something else going on! I'm not ONLY watching porn at work, but I also lack good judgment and character. I'm not abusing people, but I bet I'm doing something else that's a problem!

[20121109]

Um, these posts shouldn't be Anonymous. There is no revealing personal information that requires it.

EDIT: or are you the OP?

OP is male, this flap cheese is female.

Yeah, if these posts aren't OP, they should be outed and not left Anonymous.

Done.

[somewhatwayward]

What is it about this thread that made people feel so compelled to respond that they created an account? LOL

[FeelTheHeat]

Am I the only one who sees this as a problem? This guy is breaking the law, because he is stealing taxpayers' time, as any government employee knows. At the very least, this guy is not cultivating a safe work environment for even male employees like you. I wouldn't ignore it, because who knows what else is going on. (It was easy to look over what happened at Penn State, even if there were signs.) I'd maybe talk about it with HR rather than the supervisor. You might not even want to out him, but just bring up how you were uncomfortable and see if HR thinks it's something that needs further action. There are even anonymous hotlines for government employees in some states to talk about ethical issues that you spot and get advice on what to do about it.

lolololololol

[Tom Joad]

Is hentai at work ok? Yes, no, maybe?

[fastforward]

One is not like the other.

This.

Would your reaction be so strong if you walked in on him doing a sudoku puzzle? Pursue this and you'll be labeled a troublemaker.

It's reasonable to be uncomfortable that he didn't turn the porn off while you were in the office. If you have to meet with him again, say something jokingly like, "Could you shut the porn away this time; that was sort of awkward for me", and laugh.

Then let it go.

[homestyle28]

Pretty sure the credited response is a lightly joking call out to let him no you saw it, but don't plan on escalating it. Something along the lines of "What kind of filth are you watching?" in a voice that lets him no you don't really disapprove of porn, just the porn at work. Then don't be awkward.

In reality by letting him know you saw it, you're doing him a solid...someone more sensitive/reporty might see it next time.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. I don't know what that Penn State stuff was about. I mean I was pretty uncomfortable watching this actress get railed while I listened to him talk about a case, but I'm not out for blood. I'd just prefer not to be in that situation.

Other than not having to work with him again I don't see anything else I would gain. If this keeps happening, I'll consider talking to him about it but if this was just a one time deal I think I'll sit on it.

[barestin]

Tell him what he did was bad and he should feel bad.