Are we getting in too deep with the surfing?

Jun 10 2008 by Iain Laing, The Journal

THE widespread availability and use of internet has revolutionised the way many of us work.

We can access our emails from almost anywhere, conduct virtual meetings and have access to huge amounts of data often for free, 24 hours per day.

This has obviously created huge business opportunity but equally creates a challenge – how do we appropriately manage personal internet use during work time?

Our latest surveys show that the average UK office worker spends an hour-and-a-half a week of work time surfing the web for personal use, at a cost to the economy of £10.6bn a year.

Employers understand that the internet has become a part of everyday life and are prepared to be flexible.

Many firms feel that, as long as the job gets done, there is no problem with staff surfing for personal use.

While an hour-and-a-half a week may sound like a lot, it is not always wasted time. Productivity and morale can increase when firms trust staff to use the web sensibly to catch up with friends on Facebook, pay household bills, or search for a cheap flight.

However, £10.6bn a year is a significant sum and this is an issue that firms need to be aware of. It can become a problem where staff are spending excessive amounts of time online, are downloading porn or software, or are putting the organisation’s reputation at risk.

The CBI  discovered that many companies understand the importance of the internet to personal and social lives, and see reasonable use of the web at work as a morale booster.

Indeed, only 14% of firms restricted web access altogether.

Over half of organisations (54%) restrict internet access at work, although the extent of that control can vary widely. 14% deny access altogether, while a quarter (25%) have no limits on access.

The remaining 7% are considering imposing limits on web use.

Nobody wants to behave like Big Brother and there is no epidemic of misuse, but there needs to be a bit of give-and-take from all parties. Employers need to decide for themselves what level of non-work surfing is acceptable and then set out clear boundaries.

Sarah Green is regional director of the CBI