Cenek Report

Surveillance and strict prohibition-like controls are the most common responses organizations use in the fight to keep cyber slacking in check. Most firms spell out the do’s and don’ts of internet usage at work through the omnipresent Acceptable Employee Internet Usage Policy. These policies are often buttressed by LAN software that monitors and tracks internet usage patterns.

Excessive surfing at work can be a productivity robber when the privilege is abused. However, in knowledge-based work environments where creativity and impulsive-like insight are required, web use should probably not be of paramount concern, unless there is clear, egregious misuse - e.g., porn, heavy levels of personal shopping and so forth. In those settings occasional web usage should be viewed as a healthy diversion, akin to the well-documented guitar strumming by Seattle IT workers in the 80’s. Innovative work environments are known for their informality, spontaneity and absence of KGB-like surveillance and tight controls.

Research conducted by the Center for e-Service at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business and the research firm Rockbridge Associates, concluded that employees with Internet access at both home and work spend an average of 3.7 work hours per week surfing on personal business. That's more than offset, however, by the 5.9 hours these same people spend online at home on work-related chores.

In operations-oriented environments where the business model is predicated on x number of widgets produced each day, or where attentiveness to the customer is critical, then use beyond break time is probably of greater concern, as it probably lowers overall efficiency and output.

What has been your experience in this regard?