SETI Supporter Fired From Job

Man Fired For Using Computer To Search For Aliens

The search for extraterrestrial life has ended at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

...

"I understand his desire to search for intelligent life in outer space, because obviously he doesn't find it in the mirror in the morning," Hayes said. "I think that people can be comfortable that security has beamed this man out of our building."

See ya later, loser. If I was the sysadmin I would have put pr0n on his workstation and fired him for that.

While I wholeheartedly admire his efforts, I have to agree with the company...its their computer system and not his. Although I think a firing was a little harsh (perhaps looking for a reason to let him go???) he definitely deserved some sort of diciplinary action. However, I do not think what this man Hayes said, "because obviously he doesn't find it in the mirror in the morning" was appropriate in the slightest either.

Bad situation here, and possibly better that they both parted ways.

firing him from his job does seem a little harsh
especially since he was doing it during off hours when the computer was probably just idling

I agree with you jazzerman. No he should not have been using the company's computers to run this software, but he had no malicious intent in doing so.

I work in the computer field with end users all day long, and I have caught them streaming video, music, porn... you name it, but the only thing that would out right get you fired would be the porn.

Geez even our sys admins downloaded software that was not "company" standard for their own use. Firing in my opinion is way to harsh. Now on the flip side, it never said he had not already been warned.

As for the department director, his comments where rude and uncalled for and IMO deserve disciplinary action.

In my opinion the cheap (and entirely un-clever) shot at the employee's sanity completely destroys any credibility the employer might have.

Imagine working for a dope who rolled his eyes and twirled his finger aroung his ear when you mentioned anything remotely intellectual.

I say sue the bastard. He's stupid enough to have left a trail of cause.

Edit: AND broadcasting the humiliation to the media. Punitive damages too!!

[edit on 8-10-2004 by deevee]

[edit on 8-10-2004 by deevee]