Question Regarding Government Power

[unknowneinstein]

If I work a standard government job M-F 9-5, and make stock trades on my work computer that is owned by the government, can the government turn around and take any profit I make, saying that it was during work hours and on government property. For the record I havent done this yet and I wanted to clarify this before I go selling stocks and getting sued by the government lol.

 

[Buster]

If I work a standard government job M-F 9-5, and make stock trades on my work computer that is owned by the government, can the government turn around and take any profit I make, saying that it was during work hours and on government property. For the record I havent done this yet and I wanted to clarify this before I go selling stocks and getting sued by the government lol.

9 to 5?..really?..I was 7 to 3:30 everyday of my 36 year career...

Since you are a newbie and under I'm sure, a 1 year probation, where they can fire your ass for sneezing wrong..I wouldn't do a thing on a GOV computer at work for anything but what your work requires...period.

As you will soon find out, that you don't buy and sell stocks in the traditional sense in TSP, you are only able to select from the funds TSP has to offer, to parlay your money in and then that is only twice a month (IFT= Interfund Trasfer)...As of right now, you are better off in a long term L fund like L2040..after just 3 months, you haven't very much to play with right now...But whatever you do, do it from home on your PC

Good luck and stay out of trouble.

 

[Bquat]

If I work a standard government job M-F 9-5, and make stock trades on my work computer that is owned by the government, can the government turn around and take any profit I make, saying that it was during work hours and on government property. For the record I havent done this yet and I wanted to clarify this before I go selling stocks and getting sued by the government lol.

My understanding was that you couldn't trade stock or manage a business from a goverment computer. We get away a little bit with TSP because it is considered as part of your retirement. My organization had started spot checking internet activity at work. I would even do a small routine to advoid being charted. I would show up to work early and check MSN Money (more) to check the direction of S&P futures. Then get back in at approx. 1130 EST and see market direction and if I needed to IFT. Then once again at 2 pm which was 4 pm EST to see market close. My organization also made charts of internet use to point out heavy users that might have to be checked for improper use. I'm glad I'm retired and also glad we had some sex site brousers that made our activity look mundane in comparison. So do it early before work hours, lunch and after work hours. I think doing your TSP isn't a problem, but monitoring the market too much may be.

 

[PessOptimist]

If I work a standard government job M-F 9-5, and make stock trades on my work computer that is owned by the government, can the government turn around and take any profit I make, saying that it was during work hours and on government property. For the record I havent done this yet and I wanted to clarify this before I go selling stocks and getting sued by the government lol.

Where does unknowneinstein state the trades are TSP related? Sounds like personal business so de minimus rules as stated by the agency apply.

Buster, I am giving unknowing the benifit of doubt and think 9-5 was a day weenie term for the normal schedule. I work 6-4:30x4 so I guess I am also a weenie.

I have lots more to say about this but will wait to find out if un is talking about TSP or about personal stock trades.

 

[Boghie]

If I work a standard government job M-F 9-5, and make stock trades on my work computer that is owned by the government, can the government turn around and take any profit I make, saying that it was during work hours and on government property. For the record I havent done this yet and I wanted to clarify this before I go selling stocks and getting sued by the government lol.

Your supervisor will find out.
Then you will get a tongue lashing - my guess is that you signed a three page form before you got your network account.
After that, if you still spend extensive time (judgment call) trading and tracking, you will get reprimanded.
Then call it adios to your job whether on probation or not.

Folks will give you some slack, but you are supposed to be working on the job for which you are being paid. And, check the legalese document you signed to get your network account (in my case something called a SAAR). The rules are clear and in writing. Like BQuat mentioned, a little peek every once in a while at how your TSP funds (their matching indexes actually) will not get you in trouble unless you are already in trouble. But, heavy research prepping for your TSP IFTs will probably cause problems. Always remember you are not getting paid to maximize TSP or individual stock holdings. And, definitely NO DAY TRADING.

Happy Hunting...
Don't become the Hunted

 

[nnuut]

If I work a standard government job M-F 9-5, and make stock trades on my work computer that is owned by the government, can the government turn around and take any profit I make, saying that it was during work hours and on government property. For the record I havent done this yet and I wanted to clarify this before I go selling stocks and getting sued by the government lol.

Not a good idea to broadcast that for the world to know you won't like the results if the word gets to the wrong people.

 

[Buster]

Where does unknowneinstein state the trades are TSP related? Sounds like personal business so de minimus rules as stated by the agency apply.

.

Yeah, I just assumed he was talking about TSP IFT's..But if he's considering any stock trading while on the clock and on a GOV computer..I can tell you right now..THAT IS AUTOMATIC termination regardless of time in service...I've seen it first hand with an employee of many years service get canned..JUST DON"T DO IT!

 

[unknowneinstein]

Yeah, I just assumed he was talking about TSP IFT's..But if he's considering any stock trading while on the clock and on a GOV computer..I can tell you right now..THAT IS AUTOMATIC termination regardless of time in service...I've seen it first hand with an employee of many years service get canned..JUST DON"T DO IT!

And this is why I ask questions that may seem stupid to others. For the record, I was talking about normal day trading and not TSP. I honestly didn't know because people at my job dick around on the computers all day, going on facebook, reading news articles, playing games etc. I know you can get in trouble for 'excessive' use of the internet not related to work, I just wasnt sure. I appreciate all the comments, but I would like my original question answered, if nothing else to settle my own curiousity. Would the government be able to seize your profits?

 

[Buster]

, but I would like my original question answered, if nothing else to settle my own curiousity. Would the government be able to seize your profits?

I don't think so, I never heard of it...losing your job is probably punishment enough..The person I referred to didn't have his TSP or personal stocks messed with....

But understand..dicking around on the internet is one thing, but making money outside of work while at work is a conflict of interest and you're profiting at the Government's expense of paying you too.

 

[PessOptimist]

And this is why I ask questions that may seem stupid to others. For the record, I was talking about normal day trading and not TSP. I honestly didn't know because people at my job dick around on the computers all day, going on facebook, reading news articles, playing games etc. I know you can get in trouble for 'excessive' use of the internet not related to work, I just wasnt sure. I appreciate all the comments, but I would like my original question answered, if nothing else to settle my own curiousity. Would the government be able to seize your profits?

Grrrrrh. PO, take a walk, go away for a while.

Back from walk. Still really pissed off.

This poster may be a trollster and I took the bait. For all we know he/she/it (I will refer to unknowneinstien as it") may be a 22 year WG-7 who is really pissed off. Though I think USG got rid of anyone below 12 to contractors years ago.

What stands out to me is that the it is not concerned about the time wasted on the internet or the time wasted around it but what the consequences may be if caught and especially the financial consequences.

unknowneinstein, if you truly are working for a federal agency for three months and are asking this question because those around you are not productive and doing what you state, you need to re-read all those documents you signed, think about the oath you took, report what you see to your supervisor and walk away.

If you are for real and scared to go to a supervisor, go back to day trading. Three months is nothing. What do you have to lose?

If you are for real, state the agency and job.

 

[Show-me]

You and your fellow employee's need to quit surfing and get back to work.....................................are you FREAK'N KIDDING ME?

 

[Boghie]

UnknownEinstein,

We will soon be undergoing massive personnel cuts. Maybe your office???

My guess is that five years from now about 1/4th of the Gubmint workforce as of 11/2011 will not be part of the Gubmint workforce. As far as DOD (my personal experience) I think we hit the sweet spot in 2007. After that, bloat. If your job - and that of your coworkers - permits enough time to manage facebook pages, blogs, and day trading than I would be looking for work in private industry or seek gubmint work in a busier environment. Your workload is a sign that your labor is not needed. Your office cannot justify the payroll based on the workload. Make the move now before all the LOPs (Low Output People) in your office compete for your target positions.

Laws and Gubmint culture are going to change and they will change rapidly. I fully expect the white collar union representation to vanish soon. I expect the TEA Party folks to demand layoffs and restructuring. I expect the beast to be starved.

 

[unknowneinstein]

I wasn't aware everyone on this forum did 8 hours of full productive non-stop work every single day of the work week. If you have ever left work 20 minutes early without using annual leave, if you have ever took more then 30 minutes you are allowed for lunch, if you have ever called in sick without actually being sick, then you have no right to talk to me about job ethics. Surfing the internet for 20 minutes during the day and leaving work 20 minutes early to pick your kids up from school are the exact same thing in the eyes of the government, you are producing 20 minutes less work.

I will not state where I work, but I know for a fact I will not be out of a job anytime soon. We are just like any other work force, we have busy times during the year, and down times. We happen to be in a downtime and there's not much work to do. Does this justify people sitting around on facebook or trading stocks? No not really. So is it better for them to sit at their desk and twittle their thumbs or ask their supervisor for more work knowing there is nothing to be done? Well you all are certainly saying those are two different scenarios, but in reality you're not working in either case so whats the difference?

 

[Khotso]

I wasn't aware everyone on this forum did 8 hours of full productive non-stop work every single day of the work week. ...
I will not state where I work, but I know for a fact I will not be out of a job anytime soon. We are just like any other work force, we have busy times during the year, and down times. ...

Are you kidding me?! Not aware that we put in an honest 40 hours a week?! Give me a break! If you aren't working a full and honest 40 hours (not counting legitimate breaks and lunch), then you and your cohorts either have a poor work ethic or your unit is over-funded and needs to be one of the first cut when the cleaver drops next week.

You seem to think not putting in an honest week is the norm, but you won't say what agency you work for. I'm in Interior. While not everyone values everything Interior does, we've got more than enough work to keep us busy 40 hours a week. I and many I work or have worked with go above and beyond including donating personal time to get the job done when needed. I get paid well for what I do and make it a point to earn every penny of what I make, as do most of the folks I work with. What about you?

My advice: go ahead -- Day-trade at work! Or better still, why don't you speak up and let the Super-Committee, your Congressmen and the Administration know your work unit is over-funded and under-productive?

 

[nnuut]

 

[Buster]

I wasn't aware everyone on this forum did 8 hours of full productive non-stop work every single day of the work week.

This statement in it's self is pretty stupid..How are you to know what folks on this MB do during their work week?...that's just it, you don't know jack about a lot of things and this attitude that your job is safe really tells me your fooling yourself..You are so new here like your job, and you are already starting to p!ss people off...Carry on:suspicious:

 

[Khotso]

View attachment 16254

Hahaha. I like that Nuut! Good point and point taken. Should have known better.

 

[nnuut]

Sometimes a Pic is worth 1,000 words.

 

[PessOptimist]

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Thanks for that Mr Nnuut.

This poster may be a trollster and I took the bait.

That may be the case.

Einstein also may be working for a newly created agency working for the Super Committee to investigate waste in government agencies. That would be a typical, if ironic, USG move. It would stand to reason if that were the case that this new agency would have nothing to do but would have job security

 

[nnuut]

This subject should NOT be discussed on an open site, just asking for TROUBLE enough is enough.