Firms discipline staff for e-mail misuse

Half
of firms have disciplined staff for excessive use of e-mail, while one in four
have taken action for ‘inappropriate’ messages, research shows.

Around
15 per cent of 350 companies surveyed said their staff had been discovered
downloading pornography.

Meanwhile,
a similar proportion complained that employees had spent long periods surfing
the internet.

Most
of those taking disciplinary action gave verbal or written warnings. according
to the report. However, others took a more relaxed view – opting to ‘have a
quiet word’ or send a departmental memo without naming any individuals.

The
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, which conducted the survey,
said more than a third of employers reported no problems with staff misuse of
the internet or e-mails.

By
Mike Berry