Can I be terminated for checking personal email?

Question

I was placed on administrative leave for checking my personal email during work. I have seen everyone in my office, my manager included, check his/her email. Even when I was in training, the trainer talked about checking his Yahoo account. I feel like I am being set up to be terminated and that the company is going through my work with a fine toothed comb to find any mistake. Thus far, I have received two written memos for what I believe to be trivial issues. I know that others in the office, who have had serious infractions have not received memos for their actions

Answer 1

Read the Employee Manual you were given when you were hired.  

Many companies will NOT let employees check Email, some companies don't mind.  

If you don't know, ask the Administrator.

Answer 2

Sadly this has happened to me.  Depending on the state the supervisor doesn't even need a reason to terminate.  

In my situation my supervisors actually told me numerous things against policy were okay.  They also did these things, as did everyone else.  When they decided they didn't want me to work there anymore (since they didn't want to fire the verbally/mentally abusive supervisor) they started writing me up for these things.  I tried to bring the abusive supervisor to hr's attention, and they didn't care and didn't want to hear it.  Once I got burnt out because of it, I was wrongfully terminated.  And it's really ironic, since I was reaaally good at my job, and the abusive supervisor was not.

My lesson was don't try to be nice (doing to much, blaming myself when I wasn't at fault, and not standing up for myself), and write everything down just in case.  I don't necessarily recomend you not be nice but I do recommend that you write everything down.  I could have sued for the wrongful termination (and with this company I should have - even though I don't believe in going around suing everyone) and now I'm not able to, as I didn't get things written down.  

Maybe another job in a less hostile enviroment would be better for you?  I certainly don't recommend working in a place like that.  It's not good for you, no matter the amount of money you make.

Answer 3

This does seem very trivial and maybe they are setting you up - but why.  I mean why do they (maybe) want you gone.  Anyhow, if they want to fire you they can, you can't really stop them and unless you can prove the firing was unjustified or prejudicial (very hard to do) there is not alot you can do about it.

I'd try to figure out why they may want to fire you, and work towards fixing that.  You also may want to start looking for a new job on your own - then you can just quit.

Answer 4

It's possible they are using un-enforced rules to scuttle you.

Best thing to do - if you want to keep the job, is to follow ALL the rules - even if others aren't.

But if the environment's that hostile - I'd seriously consider finding other work.  Working in those conditions doesn't sound like much fun.