Is it weird for my coworker to ask to use my computer to do her work? (owner, education)
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My co worker and I went on a vacation trip (not work related). We are friends, but not super close, so even I found it weird that she asked me to go with her, but I decided why not. I brought my laptop with me but she didn’t. She asked if she could use my laptop to do work. We work at the same company and same department. I always thought that you can’t ever let someone use your work laptop. For example, what if she makes a mistake or does something? It’s going to look like I did it, so I will get blamed. So that question made me uncomfortable. Am I right for feeling uncomfortable?
I don't know about your company, but in the company I recently retired from, computer activity was monitored by both the worker's log-in ID and the computer's network IP address. If someone did something illegal with my workstation, both of us would be in trouble.
If they were co-workers (in the same department, as in this case) they may very well have been on the same domain.
Even if she were just checking email, bad things can happen, such as clicking on links in spam that might leak through company filters.
It'd be weirder if it were your personal laptop. I mean, it's a workplace computer belonging to your mutual workplace. That said, before letting someone else use a device check out to me, I'd find out what the company's policy actually is.
I love all the holier-than-thous here saying to not allow her to use it. Just imagine being in that situation and how incredibly awkward that would be if you're on vacation somewhere with that person, spending all your time with her.
Just give her the laptop and if it concerns you, just hang out around here within sight of the screen. Otherwise this is probably a giant nothing burger.
My co worker and I went on a vacation trip (not work related). We are friends, but not super close, so even I found it weird that she asked me to go with her, but I decided why not. I brought my laptop with me but she didn’t. She asked if she could use my laptop to do work. We work at the same company and same department. I always thought that you can’t ever let someone use your work laptop. For example, what if she makes a mistake or does something? It’s going to look like I did it, so I will get blamed. So that question made me uncomfortable. Am I right for feeling uncomfortable?
Yes, you are correct for feeling uncomfortable. I wouldn't even allow my closest friend to do work on MY work laptop (or whatever). If something goes sideways, or something inappropriate is done, it's YOUR machine and you will be held responsible.
You say this was a non-work related trip.
If she wanted to work, she should have brought her own laptop.
My 2 cents.
Yes, I'd be willing to share my laptop with a coworker provided it wasn't interfering with my ability to get my job done. The laptop isn't mine; it belongs the my employer and I have no personal right to it anymore than another employee. We both work for the same employer.
Now, I would NOT share my account. They would have to log on under their own account. Completely different issue.
The paranoia is amusing. Don't let her borrow your laptop. I'm sure this co-worker is just waiting for the chance to wipe out network drives and upload child porn and have it lead back to you. Maybe she'll even hack the NSA. Or maybe she secretly works for the NSA.
Don't let her borrow your car, either. She'll probably set out on a mission to run over puppies and small children.
If anything "goes sideways" just let your employer know she was using your laptop at the time. If they still hold you accountable rather than the employee who did something, then that is not an employer you want to be working for anyway.
The paranoia is amusing. Don't let her borrow your laptop. I'm sure this co-worker is just waiting for the chance to wipe out network drives and upload child porn and have it lead back to you. Maybe she'll even hack the NSA. Or maybe she secretly works for the NSA.
Don't let her borrow your car, either. She'll probably set out on a mission to run over puppies and small children.
If anything "goes sideways" just let your employer know she was using your laptop at the time. If they still hold you accountable rather than the employee who did something, then that is not an employer you want to be working for anyway.
The company I worked for is a Fortune 50 company that handled the deeply personal information of hundreds of thousands of customers across the nation. Managing personal data is what it does. It's constantly under attack from hackers, but the worst issue it ever suffered--which took down the company network for two days--was from an employee who clicked on a link in a spam email that managed to get through the filters.
Company workstation activity is monitored by both log-on ID and workstation IP address, because what people plug into workstations is also a heavy risk.
And, yeah, if the company is forced to advise several thousand customers that their personal data may have been compromised, yeah, they company is going to hold that employee accountable for allowing their workstation to be used by someone who was not authorized to use it.
And, no, I don't let friends borrow my car, either. They're not covered by my insurance, and shizzle happens.
Last edited by Ralph_Kirk; 09-02-2021 at 08:28 AM..
And, no, if the company is forced to advise several thousand customers that their personal data may have been compromised, yeah, they company is going to hold that employee accountable for allowing their workstation to be used by someone who was not authorized to use it.
We're not talking about loaning your work laptop to a friend for their personal use but to a co-worker who an authorized user on the network and could have done the same thing if they had brought their laptop. I'd assume the co-worker is logging in under their own employee account.
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