SFW

What qualifies at your work place? What's the line? What's the furthest you're willing to go, and what's the furthest you've seen a coworker go?

I know some people have watched porn in the office at night using their work computers. I probably wouldn't go any further than whatever raunchiness Deadspin has on it because I can justify that for my job. Cursing certainly isn't a problem, though I'm sure our human relations department would disagree.

 

I've worked at papers that fired employees -- including a high-profile writer -- for exactly that offense.

 

I couldn't get away with watching Pocahontas at work.

 

I know one person who was fired for it. But I also know two others who haven't been despite doing it for years.

 

I could probably get away with anything, as they don't check, but I don't go beyond viewing something with colorful language.

 

At my previous shop, there was a lot of double entrende and some talk that would be considered sexual or racial harassment in most places, but always in fun. Men and women gave it equally, including the female editor, and everyone knew where the line was.

One time I was relating a story from a former co-worker where the punchline was "asshole," which I blurted just as the HR chief passed by. She told me to watch my language, but it was more out of obligation than a true warning.

At my current place, with a different type of coworker, I rarely even swear.

 

I'd be concerned about even looking at google images with the safe search off on my work computer and I'm very careful about what goes in my email.

Office conversation is another matter. Hell, my last job, I used to have lunch with two guys and a woman most days .One day the woman tells one of the guys to feel her breast. Of course, once the momentary shock wore off, he did.

Apparently, it was her own unique way of flirting. They started dating not long after that. They are married now and just had their first child.

 

After hours anything goes, language wise. It's known as the after 6 p.m. rule. A former coworker and I had a running contest to see who could come up with the absolute worst thing to say. Each Sunday we'd come in with something different. He recently just officially quit, though he'd been on paternity leave for a while.

During day time hours I can pretty much say whatever I need to as long as I keep it quiet.

As far as the Interwebs goes, I keep it strictly professional. Never understood the whole looking at porn at work thing. I really don't have time to even think about it and still get my job done. Besides, it's just stupid. A quick way to get yourself fired. As close as it comes to non-work is every once in a blue moon I will check SportsJournalists.com in a down moment, especially during developing national events.