The Work Clinic

To my mind, a good manager doesn't need to ban any site -- he or she needs to set and enforce clear expectations about work productivity. If someone is spending an unreasonable amount of time playing online, it will show in his or her work output -- and that's the issue that should be addressed, not the specifics of the online usage.

I agree with our ask a manager comment. Set the guidelines and if employees take advantage then counsel them and if needed discipline them. I have no issue with the odd play on the internet and a chat to mates.

However we must remember there is a job to do. We come to work to work but I wouldn't deny employees a little play.

Although they claim to have spent five hours on the site, I estimate they spent four-and-a-half waiting for things to load. It is a question of management,with clear guidelines and managerial behaviour which reinforced what it acceptable. I agree that if people are using Facebook in a way that harms their productivity, then counsel them and if necessary discipline them.

I do think it should be allowed out of working hours i.e. before/after work and during the lunch period. It allows employees to feel respected as they connect with their personnal world in their free time at work, rather than feeling cut off for the whole duration of working hours. Facebook also has the potential to at the very least bring employees closer together as they chat online to each other. Although there isn't hugely anything other than the social element to Facebook and Myspace I do think it is important to respect individuals connection to their personal lives in a controlled timezone within the long day at work!

I will freely admit to using the internet during work hours and sometimes facebook is included within that use, but in my defence I am a very hard worker and will make sure that ALL my work is completed within the working day. I will even offer to help my colleagues out if I hear them struggling with their work load. (I must point out that my usage is not 5 hours everyday)

We are in danger of becoming a complete nanny state, its already bad enough that you can't even use some shopping websites as they contain Lingerie and that is blocked by websense.

By banning facebook Employers are endangering the working relationship with the employee. Can I remind everyone about the Red nose day video competition that was run earlier in the year using Youtube!!!! If your going to ban Facebook then Youtube should be banned too and the company actively encouraged us to go and view the videos posted, similarly with facebook a few of our products have their own accounts so how can you justify a complete ban when we are encouraged to use these sites and view them????????

Just a humble employees opinion

Social networking is, as you say, here to stay. Employers are still rather traditional and don't appear to understand the full implications of the online world which we now inhabit. Things like Facebook are in their infancy now and will grow and mature into an extension of our daily lives. To ban use of such items will appear to employees to be like cutting a part of their anatomy off. It will be akin to banning speaking in the workplace. Social networking will soon be part of our psyche.

Few employers appear to understand anything at all about the internet and it's impact on their workers. Even fewer employers have understood the immense value of social networking to their business.

I think that different work places need different rules. Where I work (at a young people's charity) it's not feasible to have constant access to Facebook because the young people abuse the privilege when they are in the office and it became a bit of an internet cafe for a while! We want them to develop a range of skills- not just social networking!

I'd agree with Ask a Manager. This is a red herring. If organisations find that employees are wasting time on Facebook it's not a problem with Facebook, it's an issue about management and engagement of employees.

And also with Carly and Graham. Particularly for the younger generation, banning Facebook just shows that an organisation has no understanding of their drivers and ways of working. Employer of Choice it ain't.

http://strategic-hcm.blogspot.com/2007/08/business-use-of-social-media.html

I am not allowed access to Hotmail and Facebook at work. I understand why the company do not allow it, as not all employees have access to computers, so it makes it fair for all, and we do have a couple of computer terminals in our canteen to allow us to access any website in our lunchtime.

I do find it a little inconvenient if I want to have a quick look at personal emails if working through lunch (or if I get suppliers to send large attachments to my hotmail as my work email is capped to 3mb).

I think employers should trust their workers to not exploit such a priviledge and allow unrestricted use. If it is a large company, they can monitor the amount of time is spent online anyway cant they??

I agree with Steve Miller's comments.

As long as there is an element of trust flowing both ways in the employer/employee relationship, then no sites should be banned on anyone's PC. As long as there is not a detrimental impact on an employee's work, companies should allow their workers to access sites such as Facebook and Myspace. Light-hearted contact with the ouside world refreshes employees, gives them a break, and I think makes for a more productive workforce.

Theory X implies treating staff like kids, and that has implicatoins for how they treat everyone else including customers...treat staff as intelligent adults and encourage judgement..the rewards will come. How about making work interesting enough to replace Facebook addiction?

I have my own company, and part of what I do is getting to know both the market and the influencers within it.

There are many reasons why I spend far too much time on facebook:

1. I am getting in touch with people that are hard to meet otherwise
2. I can read about what they, and other like them, are doing and finding interesting
3. I can add to discussions, or even create them, in areas that interest me or where I have some interest (work)

but mainly

4. working at home on your own is BORING most of the time and you need social contact - so this is the alternative to the office kitchen

I probably would not have had the same opinion when I worked in my previous organisations!

People can make their virtual networks work for them. They have the potential to be valuable and used for more than just fun.

There are many ways that young professionals can make their networks work for them, from helping to get their dream job, to locating a mentor through whom they can develop their career.

Vast online networks offer almost limitless possibilities to do this. A chance to connect with people who can open up new opportunities to them. It is also an exposure to different opinions and viewpoints which will challenge them but that can also expand their horizon and help reset their radar.

Leadership development organisation Common Purpose has found the value and potential of these networks. It has an online network of graduates from its leadership programmes. Network members who can contact others in the network to seek partners in international projects or assistance on nurturing emerging social enterprises.

People can make their virtual networks work for them. They have the potential to be valuable and used for more than just fun.

There are many ways that young professionals can make their networks work for them, from helping to get their dream job, to locating a mentor through whom they can develop their career.

Vast online networks offer almost limitless possibilities to do this. A chance to connect with people who can open up new opportunities to them. It is also an exposure to different opinions and viewpoints which will challenge them but that can also expand their horizon and help reset their radar.

Leadership development organisation Common Purpose has found the value and potential of these networks. It has an online network of graduates from its leadership programmes. Network members who can contact others in the network to seek partners in international projects or assistance on nurturing emerging social enterprises.

As a business owner/director, and a training professional, I believe most businesses and their employees are failing to see the potential the Internet offers both in terms of marketing, customer relationship management, knowledge management, and general business infrastructure. The only way to appreciate the value is to use the Internet, so I like to see people in our business exploring, learning, and thinking creatively. Whether or not they are spending too much time in Facebook or whatever is not the issue. If they are performing in their role and expectations are being met or exceeded, I have no issue.