About Cenek Report

“For useful, readable posts about new research and trends in the world of work.  Robert Cenek is the self-proclaimed “fad-free” blogger, and he delivers on that promise. No buzzwords.”
Business Week Online


“I like what I see in your blog.
You’re cuts above the average.
I plan to be a regular reader!”
Joyce Lain Kennedy
syndicated columnist
Los Angeles Times

“Well-researched and well-written. The blog captures news that professionals would be interested in. I read the blog.”
humanresources.about.com

 

 

Subscribe

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Tell me when this blog is updated

what is this?

Library
Directory
View blog authority View blog reactions Add to Technorati Favorites Business Blog Top Sites Use JavaScript to scramble your email from spiders and spammers. Business Blogs - Blog Catalog Blog Directory Check Google Page Rank
Powered by Squarespace
SmartLinks
« Unintended Consequences of Age Discrimination Laws | Main | Smokers, Boozers, Sunbathers and Health Insurance »
Saturday
Oct072006

Another View on Web Usage at Work

j0398779.jpg

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?

PrintView Printer Friendly Version

EmailEmail Article to Friend

Reader Comments

There are no comments for this journal entry. To create a new comment, use the form below.

PostPost a New Comment

Enter your information below to add a new comment.

My response is on my own website »
Author Email (optional):
Author URL (optional):
Post:
 
All HTML will be escaped. Hyperlinks will be created for URLs automatically.