Ask Slashdot: IT Personnel As Ostriches? 246
MonOptIt writes: I'm a new IT professional, having recently switched from a different sci/tech field. My first gig is with a mid-size (50ish) nonprofit which includes a wide variety of departments and functions. I'm the sole on-site IT support, which means that I'm working with every employee/department regularly both at HQ and off-site locations. My questions for the seasoned pros are: Do you find yourself deliberately ignoring office politics, overheard conversations, open documents or emails, etc as you go about your work? If not, how do you preserve the impartiality/neutrality which seems (to my novice mind) necessary to be effective in this position? In either case: how do you deal with the possibility of accidentally learning something you're not supposed to know? E.g. troubleshooting a user's email program when they've left sensitive/eyes-only emails open on their workstation. Are there protections or policies that are standard, or is this a legal and professional gray-area?
blahblahblah (Score:3, Funny)
why the fuck are you asking here, of all places, about office etiquette? haven't you noticed that over half of the people here are bitter, miserable burnouts and misfits?
are you also asking on the christian abstinence forums about finding prostitutes?
Re:Simple. (Score:2, Funny)
this is a good guideline, but it's worth keeping an eye open for someone weak, yet brash enough to engage in criminal conspiracy. it's rare and i wouldn't plan on it, but it's an excellent opportunity to make a sideline income and develop a skillset suitable for a lucrative management position. i won't go into detail on the tactics, but they're pretty obvious. keep in mind, you want hush money and an intimidating rep; you don't actually want a confrontation. start with a moderate offer, on the lines of maybe 5% of their salary, and crank that up as time goes by.
btw, start going to the gym now; yes, you can always kill the motherfucker, but it's much, much more effective to passively intimidate them.