City staff surf porn, gamble

A handful of city staffers have been caught gambling online and visiting pornographic websites at the workplace, circumventing the city’s own Internet-blocking software, says the city auditor.
In his 2007 annual report, released yesterday, auditor David Wiun said a three-month investigation discovered “inappropriate and non-work related” web surfing by scores of city staff.
Wiun told Metro that about three per cent of city employees, close to 200 people, spend a “significant” amount of their work day logged into sites unrelated to their jobs.
The activity included visiting Internet chat sites, online shopping, and playing video games, Wiun said, but some staff members were even so shameless that they watched pornography or gambled on their taxpayer-funded computers.
“Along with tremendous advantages, the Internet also provides access to a wide variety of information that is not related to business needs and is harmful or inappropriate for the work place,” Wiun wrote.
The usage slows down the city’s computer servers and exposes them to potential viruses, the report states. It can also create a “hostile” work environment if other employees become offended by the surfing.
Wiun’s Internet usage audit dates back to the spring of 2006 and concluded with several recommendations being implemented last year.
Employees are now regularly notified that their Internet activity is being monitored through a “pop-up” message and more sites are now blocked, such as Facebook.
The city also scans Internet usage patterns twice a year and non-work related web surfing is reported to an employee’s supervisor.
The auditor’s report will be discussed by city council on Wednesday.
-steve.lillebuen@metronews.ca