None of the Securities and Exchange Commission employees caught using government computers to
view pornographic images has been fired, according to the agency.
The SEC inspector general investigated 28 employees and five contractors for accessing inappropriate images and Web sites, according
to a report released late last week.
Of the employees, eight resigned and six were suspended for periods lasting one to 14 days, the inspector general, H. David Kotz,
said in an e-mail. Five were issued formal reprimands, six were issued
informal counseling or warning letters, and three are currently facing
disciplinary action.
How is that even possible?
The title to this piece seems a little misleading. Eight employees resigned. What that probably means is that the employees were facing stiff discipline which might have included firing and the agency gave them the opportunity to quit. This is pretty common in government. Whether it is a good practice or not, most agencies will give employees the right to resign in lieu of termination. Six employees were suspended for periods lasting one to 14 days. Suspensions are usuall without pay, so the employees are feeling a pinch financially. A suspension is considered failry serious in the progressive discipline system, so if these employees are caught doing the same activity again, they could face termination. Five were issue formal reprimands, which is less serious than a suspension but more serious than informal counseling or warning letters, so if they view porn at work again, they will most likely be suspended or fired. Formal reprimands and suspensions stay in these employees personnel records as well, so it could impact their promotion potential. Six were issued informal counseling or warning letters. Discipline like this sometimes includes removal of the items from a person’s formal personnel file after a period in which they abstain from the prohibited activity. My guess is that these employees were less egregious in their viewing of prohibited material at work. Finally three are currently facing disciplinary action, which could be any of the above mentioned actions or termination. I’m not saying that someone should not have been fired. I’m just saying that after reading the article, the discipline looks to be fairly consistent to what I have seen in other government agencies over similar issues.