I have a question, and I would like to see what everyone thinks. I am sure many of you have run into similar questions.
My staff knows that the computers belong to the office, and anything on them are fair game. Nonetheless, I don't go around checking them and snooping through files. I do have to go on their computers for a multitude of reasons due to being the doctor/IT.
They will leave icons on the desktop that will be called name_resume.docx, etc. I don't open them. I am not naive. In fact, I would expect every employee to always be looking at other jobs. This is a very good receptionist. She makes around $16.00 an hour, maybe less. Anyway, if she found a similar job, paying $22.00 an hour, good for her. Personally, though, I wouldn't leave the resume on the desktop. I would at least take it home. She has a computer there. Or burn it to a CD or leave it on a USB. Or, at least make a folder and call it temp folder or important papers. But, I respect the privacy and just go on about my business.
They generally log off their computers, but on this day, she forgot and it locked. I had to check Windows updates, and when I went on her computer, this time there wasn't just an icon. There was the open file, and at the top of the three page document, was a letter to a local medical office. The letter was your typical letter to Human Resources about her resume and immediate availability, including "Looking forward to meeting you." Now, that may just be something she wrote in there.
Now, I will straight out say that I do not in any way feel guilty for reading the letter. When someone leaves a Word document which is their resume and a letter applying for the job and possibly an interview, it is hard not to read. In fact, while I am not a speed reader, I could read 40% of the letter in less than five seconds.
The ironies is that I wanted to correct the spelling and grammatical errors and that her best reference would be I, which I would be glad to provide given the right way of her handling it, although I still would.
I read this at the same time that we are doing bonuses. Of course, this wouldn't change that. But, we also, due to Obamacare, are no longer offering insurance (which, in and of itself, is something most solo practitioners don't offer). But, my office manager and I were planning on giving those with the plan a pretty good sum of money to help them pay for their first month of insurance, which won't even be due until July of next year. It just stings more when you feel like you provide them with a pretty good job with good benefits (401K, insurance, etc.) and you are planning on doing other things, etc. while they are actively seeking other employment.
The other frustration, while minor when looking at the big picture, is that they are writing these letters on my computer, printing them on my printers, using my paper, stamps and envelopes. Again, maybe $1.50 in cost, but it is time they should be working. Of course, it is dated on my birthday, so I conveniently was not there.
While nothing will likely come of it, I can't help but wonder how stupid one can be than to leave a letter open on their computer.
Now, I have a few options all of which lead to only one correct one. Asking her about it will only lead to her telling me she has applied for a job and that she expects to get it or she doesn't. Or it may be that it is for some part time work. Of course, no matter what I stated above, she will likely be upset that I read it.
Which brings me to the only course of action I find available, which is to do nothing other than to realize, this probably happens more than I think and to be aware that a two-week notice may happen.
Of course, I want to point out that there are few other places that offer the same benefits and good working environment on top of being able to come to me and say I need tomorrow off, can I leave today at 3 pm, oh and by the way, I will be taking college classes starting in two months on Wednesday mornings. Yes, I am a pushover, and I guess they won't realize how much of one I am until they work for another employer.
Advice? Has this happened to others. My staff rarely, if ever, reads the ACUB. In fact, except for the two or three times I wanted them to read a thread that would help them, I don't think they would know how to find it. But, two things: One, I jumped in the phone booth and changed back to anony-mouse, and I may delete this thread after it has died down. Just giving a heads' up in case you plan on writing a novel and don't want it deleted.
