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| Agree | 42% | 71 votes | Total: 168 votes | |
| Disagree | 58% | 97 votes |
Agree
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Add to FavoritesFinding a job can be very important and sometimes may be the most important thing to you at the time. Using a company computer to find a job is ethical as long as you make sure to keep up on the work you still have to do at your current job. You should always respect the person who is employing you at the time and make sure to keep them as a good reference.
It may sound selfish but when looking for a job you have to consider the effects on you and, if you have one, your family. If finding a new job is what is going to best benefit you then you have to look for one without a doubt. Once you are looking for a job it should be one of the most important things to you. It is going to make an impact on the rest of your life and therefore a lot of effort and work has to be put into the job hunt.
Although it has to be at the top of your priority list there is one other thing that is above it on that list. That thing is keeping your current job. Especially in today's economy and the situation with a skyrocketing unemployment rate, you have to make sure to keep the job you have in case you cannot find another. As finding a job becomes harder and harder keeping yours is your number one priority.
When using a company computer to look for a new job you have to keep in that in mind. You should always continue to respect your current employer and stay on a good friendly basis with them. By showing respect you will have a smaller chance of getting fired. To show them respect, make sure to do the job that they are paying you to do. Even if it has come time to leave your job for whatever reason if you are still there, then you are still there to do work. Using the company computer for a job search is ok, as long as it is during your free time and you are still able to do the tasks you are there for.
Another reason for keeping on a friendly basis with your employer is because one day you made need them as a reference. When you do go for that job interview you want to be able to say that your last place of employment ended well, and have someone who can vouch for your good work ethic. If you show an employer respect then there is a good chance of them being that reference for you.
The only problem with using a company computer to look for a job is the fact that your employer may find out. With Internet tools like a history of the sites searched on a computer your boss might be able to see where you have been, and if you've been using a company computer for job searches your boss may see this. If they do politely and respectfully describe your situation, they may even offer advice depending on the situation.
Using a computer to enhance your chances of getting a job is an excellent thing to do. Just because a computer is owned by your current job doesn't mean you can't use as the computer that helps you in your job search. By following the rules of getting your work done and respecting your current employer you will avoid conflicts that may arise.
Learn more about this author, Cody Keeble.
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Disagree
Is it ethical? No. Does it happen? All the time. Employees check their mail, their FACEBOOK, and all other things besides doing work on their computer. It's true you don't want to work there anymore, but looking for a new job at your current one is disrespectful. If you've already been using your current boss's computer to look for a new boss, chances are you think that it's ethical, and I'm not going to be the one to change your mind - you're going to do it anyway. But that won't stop me from trying.
Just because people do it doesn't mean it's right. There are many people who are reading this at work and who plan on checking their Monster.com account after this. Perhaps the reason you're looking for a new job is because you're not trying hard enough at your current one. If you took the time that you are spending looking for a new job actually applying yourself at your current job, you might not want to leave. If you feel like you're working thanklessly and tirelessly and aren't getting anywhere, perhaps you should be trying to figure out how you can move up in the company or switch departments or learn something new at your current job. Expand your horizons.
If the boss you're looking for knew you were using a company computer to look for him, he would be naive to hire you. Something like this is a type of "gateway drug." You start small - I'll just use the computer to look for jobs. Then it gets bigger - I'll just print out a hundred resumes with company paper and ink. And it continues to get bigger - I'll just use the company phone to call the potential employer. Then you're spending all of your time at work looking for a new job. What does that say about your work ethic?
If you want to keep your current job while looking for a second job, that is something you have to do on your own time. It's fine if you hate your job and are desperate to find another one, but, if you were at a retail job, you would have to spend your own time looking for a new job. No boss is going to willingly pay you to find a new job to better yourself and leave them hanging. I'm not saying every job is going to have the option of moving up in the company - or even moving laterally - but you can't take company time to look for a new job. Be like everyone else in the world and do it on your own time.
Put yourself in your boss's shoes. Would you let your employees look for a new job on your computers and on your time? Don't lie to yourself. Be realistic. And if you would let your employees do that, then you wouldn't be a very good boss and you probably won't have a company for very long. And if you think you're going to be the best boss ever and no one would ever do that, you're kidding yourself.
Learn more about this author, Danielle Zarcaro.
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