Workplace Removal of Solitaire Prompts Outcry

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The recent removal of Windows-standard games from over 3,000 workstations at Missoula, Montana's Department of Public Health and Human Services has reignited the long-standing issue of gaming software in the workplace, reports news outlet Missoulian.

It all began when the Child Support Enforcement Division received new computers that lacked the games that typically come pre-installed with the Windows operating system. Division administrator Lonnie Olson received complaints from his workers, who claimed that previous workstations contained the software and that other departments also had the games.

In an effort to be fair, Olson noted that if other divisions had gaming software, then it should be restored. However, the attention highlighting the issue led to the removal of the gaming software from every computer in the department, prompting outcry from those that claimed they played the games on their own time or during a break.

In response, Department of Administration deputy director Sheryl Olson noted the agency's policy that computers should only contain software necessary for work.

Computing Technology Services Bureau chief Randy Holm stated that though the decision to allow computer games sits with the department directory, "the best way to reduce the temptation is to eliminate them."

"If there were abuses [during work], we would take them off," Lannie Olson stated in his defense. "To the best of my knowledge, they aren't playing games during work time. If so, there would be a problem."

Chris Faylor was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

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    March 31, 2008 4:02 PM

    I wonder what will happen when they discover The Internet!

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