Accusations of any kind can destroy people’s lives, marriages, friendships, businesses, employers and employees.  It often times doesn’t matter is the accusation is true or not – once it’s been thrown at you, it pretty much sticks.

A recent story is something to share.  It involves your internet access as work.

A Worried Worker told us that their company has “surf control” like many others.  What’s troubling is that the company allows the IT staff to categorize the kinds of “sites” an employee is surfing.  It’s more troubling when you read some of the errors. 

One example:  a young marketing employee was searching for email database sites.  When his boss reviewed his weekly surf control report, he saw a category that suggested pornography and adult entertainment.  The manager checked for details and determined the error.

What if the manager was not this balanced and fair?  What could happen if the young employee was wrongly accused?

If you’re wrongly accused there are things you can do – google “wrongly accused’ and you’ll see hundreds of possible things you can do.  Our favorite is Dr. Phil’s (for full text just google it):

·         Accept that there is no way you can erase what has happened.

·         Ask yourself what you would like to see happen to clear your name.

·         Understand that people might not come forward to admit they’re wrong.

·         Don’t react to what you think people are saying about you. 

·         Stop reacting to the rumors. 

·         Stand up for yourself.

·         Know that it’s normal to feel a twinge of guilt even if you’re innocent.

·         Don’t fall into the trap of acting out with non-directional frustration (The

stress that comes with being wrongly accused can lead a person to

act out with those closest to them)