Mike

Manager: We need to terminate Simon immediately. HR Manager: Wow, that’s serious. What happened? Manager: I discovered he is using a mouse mover. HR Manager: A mouse mover? Manager: Yes, it keeps his status “available” when he’s not at his computer working. HR Manager: Okay. Is his work getting done? Manager: Oh yeah, but that’s not the point. HR Manager: Is he meeting deadlines? Manager: Yes. HR Manager: Any performance concerns? Manager: No. HR Manager: So what exactly is the issue? Manager: His status is available when he’s not actively at his desk working. HR Manager: How do you know he’s not working when his status is available? Manager: I messaged him one day last week when he was active, and it took him 35 minutes to reply. HR Manager: Okay, that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s using a mouse mover. He could have been working on something else and not seen the message. Manager: Well, after that incident, I asked IT to look into it, and they confirmed he’s using one. Now I track his status throughout the day, and he’s always available. HR Manager: You track his status all day? Manager: Yes, I check it every 10 to 15 minutes. HR Manager: But his work is getting done? Manager: Yes, but the mouse mover is dishonest. HR Manager: And monitoring an employee’s status all day is what exactly? Manager: Good management. HR Manager: Let me get this straight. He completes his work, he meets deadlines, and your problem is that he’s using a mouse mover? Manager: Yes. HR Manager: I don’t think the issue here is the mouse mover. I think the issue here is the mouse watcher. (The manager walks out of the HR office disappointed.)