First Person: How to Discipline Workers Who Look for a New Job on Company Time

As a former business consultant, I was constantly asked about what kind of disciplinary action should be taken against people that search for a new job on company computers during company time. While I never was someone that would tell companies who they should fire, I always found that there were certain questions that could turn these companies in the right direction when facing this kind of issue.

Personal Stance

What is your personal stance on using a company computer on company time to search for another job? Do you believe that it is an insult to the company and you? Do you believe that it is just something that workers are going to do? Do you believe that it is a message to you that something needs to be changed with the company?

Previous Rules

When considering the disciplinary action to take against a worker who is searching for a new job on the company computer on company time, you have to take a look at the company rules that would apply. Does your company have a rule against using a company computer for personal use? Does your company have a rule against doing personal things on company time? If you do not have rules like this, how would you go about disciplining a person for rules that you do not have?

Past Practice

Have you had other workers in the past that you have caught looking for another job on a company computer during company time? If so, don't you think that it would be best to handle a current instance the same way that you had in the past? Do you believe that consistency in the enforcement of your company rules is a good thing?

Past Disciplinary Actions

Has the person that you caught using the company computer on company time to find another job have past disciplinary problems? If a person habitually scoffs in the face of your rules, what should happen to that person?

How I have Handled It

In the past, before even finding out that someone was using a company computer on company time to find another job, I tried to nip the problem in the bud. I have gotten workers together and stated:

"Anyone found using a company computer to search for another job will be disciplined up to, and including, termination. This includes the physical searching for a job, the answering of a job ad, the submittal of a resume or application, or the sending or responding to of emails about other jobs."

I would go on to say that using company time in any way to find another job would be considered as a slap in the face of the company, and to me. It would not be tolerated. I was making this announcement because I would be actively searching for any hints that people had done this for that point on.

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