Many employers whose staff use company computers have come to terms with the fact that some of the time in front of a screen may be spent on non-work related tasks, whether it's checking personal emails, scrolling through social media feeds or even looking for other employment.
Research by Safetica, a provider of employee monitoring and data protection software, has shown that 32% of respondents used social media during work hours and 23% had browsed for other jobs during work hours. It seems that many employers are taking steps to avoid this. In 2011, a third of companies in the UK blocked their employees from using social media at work, according to a study by online monitoring software Clearswift.
A blog by Russ Warner, CEO of ContentWatch, outlines the benefits of businesses using web filtering tools to block certain websites or activity-monitoring systems so that they can keep an eye on what employees are doing while at work.
We're keen to hear where you stand on the matter. Is this kind of monitoring a fair way to ensure efficiency in employees? Is it worth the extra work you may get from your staff, or is the risk of creating a hostile environment too detrimental?
Whether you're an employee whose web usage is blocked or monitored, an employer considering implementing a tracking policy or a business owner who would never consider such a measure, we want to hear about your experiences. Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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