Buying own keyboard for work

[Vyse]

So I recently joined a new company. I was given a brand new laptop and mouse. The monitor wasn't brand new but that's fine as you don't touch that that often. The keyboard however wasnt brand new, looks like it was at least 5th hand. Gaps in between the keyboard was full of bits of old food and hair, the keys were also coated in that old dried on sweat. Dried wiping down with a flash wipe but still pretty grim.

If it was you would you bring in your own keyboard? Not sure what the policy is for using own IT equipment but I've seen the same make and model of keyboard on amazon for about £9. Suppose I can just buy a brand new one and shove the dirty one somewhere.

Edited by Vyse on Thursday 10th January 21:03

[grumbledoak]

Logitech K120 is £8.09 on amazon. Ask your employer if you can expense it.

[Glasgowrob]

health and safety issue, take it up with HR.



or just tell your line manager the keyboard they've gave you is utterly vile and you'd rather date a lady of dogstars choosing than use it. not to worry and any problem using your own?

[anonymous-user]

I was given a crusty laptop recently for a company I was contracting for. Explained to the MD and he was quite embarrassed. A new laptop was posted straight away. I don’t think a new keyboard will cause any problems. Just ask for one.

[Sycamore]

Can't see why something so minor would be an issue. Just ask for a new one.

If not just buy your own.
I use my own Bluetooth mouse as it's a lot easier and more comfortable to use than the standard st HP ones.

People I work with can't possibly understand why I would bring in my own mouse to use for WORK.

[abzmike]

Back in the old days I remember contract cleaning companies coming in every so often to clean keyboards and phones... Seems to have gone out of fashion.
As said, raise with your manager - Having a keyboard that isn't full of your predecessors crud isn't an unreasonable request.

[hyphen]

Will be fine to take own in- if you get the same colour (black) doubt anyone will even notice! Or speak to your manager and he will likely sign off the (relatively low) cost.

Many programmers like a specific keyboard and mouse for example, and so take their own in.

[Nealio]

I'd say just bring your own in and move on.

But I have worked at companies where plugging anything not supplied by the company into a company computer was verboten. Obviously no USB sticks, cameras or phones, but also no bike lights to charge, no novelty desk amusements and no personal peripherals without explicit approval and installation by the IT department. So worth checking first.

[InitialDave]

I bought my own years ago, I think most people never even noticed.

[illmonkey]

The 'bringing in your own IT equipment' thing is more for PC's, laptops etc. I'd not give out a manky keyboard, so replace it, or just order a new one if it was manky. The money we spend on IT means a keyboard really isn't a big deal!

[xjay1337]

Nealio said:

I'd say just bring your own in and move on.

But I have worked at companies where plugging anything not supplied by the company into a company computer was verboten. Obviously no USB sticks, cameras or phones, but also no bike lights to charge, no novelty desk amusements and no personal peripherals without explicit approval and installation by the IT department. So worth checking first.

Did you work in Colditz?

[InitialDave]

xjay1337 said:

Did you work in Colditz?

Lots of places have a massive stick up their arse about anything that plugs into a computer.

[Crasher242]

InitialDave said:

I bought my own years ago, I think most people never even noticed.

Same here - perm and when contracting.

Have been using the 'curved' keyboards for years (starting with the original MS Natural Keyboard)
Also use a trackball instead of a mouse, as its easier on my wrist.

The only time someone kicked off about it was some jobsworth pointing out the hot desk policy...I just ended up taking the keyboard and trackball home with me everyday

[acd80]

InitialDave said:

Lots of places have a massive stick up their arse about anything that plugs into a computer.

And for very good reason - it's a threat vector which is easily exploited.

[beko1987]

I've used my own for years! Logitech Revolution MX mouse which is starting to look properly worn after 10 years, and last year I bought an IBM Travel Keyboard SK-8845 (Thinkpad T40 board) which I can't live without now!

A colleague has my old Logitech Wave keyboard, he didnt seem to mind my filth

[InitialDave]

acd80 said:

And for very good reason - it's a threat vector which is easily exploited.

For some things yes, for others, no.

A brand new keyboard out a box straight from Amazon is not going to be a problem, and rules that try to make it one are worse than useless, because they train people to regard the rule as stupid.

[Pothole]

I honestly don't understand these threads. OP do you work for OGRES? Just ask for a new keyboard.

[Starfighter]

abzmike said:

Back in the old days I remember contract cleaning companies coming in every so often to clean keyboards and phones... Seems to have gone out of fashion.

They are transferred out on the B Arc.

[Nealio]

InitialDave said:

acd80 said:

And for very good reason - it's a threat vector which is easily exploited.

For some things yes, for others, no.

A brand new keyboard out a box straight from Amazon is not going to be a problem, and rules that try to make it one are worse than useless, because they train people to regard the rule as stupid.

Well, that's the official policy. Whether or not it's actually policed for something like a keyboard or mouse is another matter.

But as a new starter, would you want to risk it?

Also, the rule needs to try to cater for all eventualities. The aim of the rule is to prevent threats coming in and IP leaking out. So while a £7 K120 keyboard clearly poses no threat, maybe next week Razer bring out a gaming keyboard with a bit of accessible flash memory in it for storing profiles etc (maybe this already exists?) and you could have a problem. So, no keyboards unless approved.

Brought in a K120? IT: "OK, crack on".

A new Razer pro gaming RGB super macro storer 1000? IT: "Should be OK. Lemme check and get back to you".

Edited by Nealio on Friday 11th January 15:51

[Pothole]

Nealio said:

Brought in a K120? IT: "OK, crack on".

A new Razer pro gaming RGB super macro storer 1000? IT: "Should be OK. Lemme check and get back to you".

Nope. In many places it'd be "raise a ticket"

You know full well it'll get dropped down the priorities list for potentially weeks in most companies, leading to the aforemenitoned thinking that the rule is stupid and unhelpful. Most desktop support does not appear to be designed to get people working as soon as possible.