using home email to contact clients

[CBHugs]

What is the name of your state? PA
I was sending emails to customers and cc to myself to and from
work and home. I did some research on the requests at home.
A few weeks ago the manager found out and told me that it
was against co policy. I complied and stopped immediately.
I did check the manual and couldn't find anything specific; it
seemed more geared to downloading files, no personal use on co
computers, passwords, inventions etc. The manual
does say that violation of any section of the policy is cause for
disciplinary action up to and including immediate discharge.
Now I was informed by an upper management person that
I am being disciplined for using my email (OK I can understand that).
I was told I will either get probation or "seperation." I like my
job; there is not a problem with my performance there; just this email
situation. It seems to me that the probation is excessive. Can I
ask for clarification on this and for the section in the manual
that details the policy? The people involved have
presented this calmly so I don't want to upset the applecart.
But I am also not sure of my rights.
Thanks for any comments.What is the name of your state?

 

[divgradcurl]

What is the name of your state? PA
I was sending emails to customers and cc to myself to and from
work and home. I did some research on the requests at home.
A few weeks ago the manager found out and told me that it
was against co policy. I complied and stopped immediately.
I did check the manual and couldn't find anything specific; it
seemed more geared to downloading files, no personal use on co
computers, passwords, inventions etc. The manual
does say that violation of any section of the policy is cause for
disciplinary action up to and including immediate discharge.
Now I was informed by an upper management person that
I am being disciplined for using my email (OK I can understand that).
I was told I will either get probation or "seperation." I like my
job; there is not a problem with my performance there; just this email
situation. It seems to me that the probation is excessive. Can I
ask for clarification on this and for the section in the manual
that details the policy? The people involved have
presented this calmly so I don't want to upset the applecart.
But I am also not sure of my rights.
Thanks for any comments.What is the name of your state?

You might want to repost this in the employment law section -- but from a general rule, an employer is not bound to follow his or her own employment manual, unless you have a contract with them, and can discipline you or fire you or take whatever action they deem appropriate, so long as it doesn't run afoul of discrimination laws.

 

[xylene]

They can fire you for this.

Don't go back to HR and scream, "YOU CAN'T FIRE ME..." or in any way make a demand.

Good employees are hard to find.

Be a "good guy" and just relax. Be real apologetic.

I can't predict your future, but I will say that If they really wanted to fire you it could have happened right away.

 

[CBHugs]

"seperated out"

Thank you both for your replies.
Today I was called in by HR and told that I was
"seperated out" {excat words} for the reasons in my post. Also was
told it was OK to file for unemployment that they wouldn't
object and that they weren't going to file a misdemeanor charge
against me. I am 61 and I would have been there a year in 5 weeks.
Everyone else is there 10 years or more. I saw the handwriting
on the wall- but it is too late.
Just wanted to let you knwo what happened.

 

[The Occultist]

Also, this doesn't help you now, but possibly something to consider in the future, you could have accessed your work email from home. If it's on the internet, it can be accessed from anywhere in the world.