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.)