As a member of the DoD, both active duty and civil service, there were heavy penalties for ANY unauthorized use of electronic information technology. Computers, phones, cameras, all the stuff we used was heavily tracked and monitored, and I have heard of several high level people being “escorted” out of the DoD building for such activities. It is also part of our polygraph examination for security clearances.
All these other agencies, such as the National Institute for Health and the CDC, get away with things that would destroy our careers in one millisecond.
Should destroy theirs as well!
I sat for three years at a DoD organization, and one of my side-jobs was the phone services guy, and the cellphone monitor. I wasted probably two hours every month reviewing the unit phone bill...going over excessive calls...and arranging for the ‘right’ people to get cellphones. Everyone knew the blunt truth that if you really screwed up....it meant disciplinary action, and maybe cash coming out of your pocket. So you just didn’t see too many stupid people displaying bad behavior. If you applied that at regular organizations, you’d see things change overnight.
The rule of thumbs for DoD are “no cost to the government” and “no porn.” The internet connection already exists, so quick checks of personal email, banking, listening to streaming music while you work, even checking FR are OK.
We are expetced to be an adult and get our jobs done, and don’t abuse the connection by lengthy shopping binges, trading stocks, watching movies, playing games, etc...
I have long said that anybody who receives a taxpayer funded pay check through a Federal office or agency should be fully subject to the very same UCMJ that our troops are subject to. That includes members of Congress and their staffers. No exceptions.
How many of those employees we heard about watching porn all day are still working? None of them? All of them? People want to know. 😀