Want to get your business featured in Anthill?

img

Should employers dictate how much time we spend on social media at work?

August 16, 2010 | By Stefan Abrutat

With social networking occupying such an increasing role in our online lives, has the line between business and social networking blurred enough to require employer intervention? Queensland company 123educateme thinks so.

After a five year period of researching and developing its software, Enforcer Enterprise, 123educateme concluded that if an employee spends more than an hour a workday on non-work tasks, it could cost their employer more than $6,200 a year.

If that figure is expanded to account for the population of Australia, the amount of lost productivity could amount to a staggering $5 billion.

According to Roger Manu, CEO of 123educateme, “Previously, bosses either had to completely cut employees’ access to non-work programs and internet sites, or just accept that some employees were time wasters.”

In an attempt to moderate social media’s growing monopoly on our attention spans , 123educateme has created a product designed to regulate the amount of time employees spend on non-work-related sites.

“Enforcer Enterprise creates a new middle ground where managers can allocate employees some free time on work computers, for example 30 minutes a day, to do what they please. However, once that time has expired, employees can only access those programs and internet sites related to their job.

“From talking to bosses, we know that most are happy to allow employees to use computers during work time for non-work related purposes, from internet banking and paying bills, to making travel bookings or using Facebook. But they’re frustrated when they see individuals wasting inordinate amounts of time surfing the web.”

Should employers moderate how much time we spend on social media at work?

Stefan Abrutat is an award-winning freelance writer, blogger and editor in a wide variety of fields, from sports to science, the philosophy of science, humourism, history, travel and food.

Future-proof, flexible, cost-effective communications

Want an ad like this?

Get the quality and benefits of a big business phone system with the simplicity and flexibility that suits your business. MyNetFone lets you keep your existing number, enjoy a hassle-free DIY setup, handy features, 24/7 Sydney-based Support Team and more – without the hefty price tag!

Make the sound choice for your business

  • http://www.smallspark.com.au John Grimes

    If an employee is spending most of their day on Facebook instead of working, is that really a problem with Facebook? If there was no Facebook, those same employees would probably be on the phone half the day, or out for a smoke every 10 minutes.

    Instead of trying to micromanage their time, why don’t you put the focus on results? If they’re not achieving results, then why are you continuing to employ them?

    [Reply]

  • DigiGifts

    I’ve always had the same thought regarding any employee, if they get the work done, then who cares if they spend a little time on a social media site or any other website for that matter. The first priority should always be to get work done and actively seek more work if you run out, but everyone needs some time out every so often otherwise you can become less productive starring at the same thing on a computer screen all day. Its usually pretty clear which employees are wasting your time and money, whether its surfing the internet for extended periods of time, chatting on the phone all the time, etc etc.

    [Reply]

blog comments powered by Disqus

Find Us on facebook

Latest Video

Waiting for the great leap forward? I think it’s already here [VIDEO]

Throw away your keyboard. Discard your mouse. All you need to do to control your computer is wave your hands about. No instruction manual needed, just a teeny, tiny device that reads your hand motions. Really. The revolution in human-computer interaction just took a massive leap forward.

More>>

Latest Comments

Ant Mart

Anthill Amabassadors

Marketing & Media

Sponsored by Google

What do you know about Google AdWords? This hub was developed to answer the questions you already have, and those you haven’t thought yet to ask.

More>>

thumb

Growth & Export

Sponsored by How to become a Key Person of Influence

Key People enjoy a special status in their chosen field because they are well connected, well known, well regarded and highly valued.

More>>

thumb

Tech & Innovation

Sponsored by AusIndustry

AusIndustry is a specialist program delivery division within the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.

More>>

thumb

Anty-Climax

Sponsored by Antmart

It’s a group buying site specifically created for entrepreneurs and business builders.

More>>

thumb

Upcoming Events

MAY
29

Want more leads and customers? Half day event to get big outcomes from a little budget.

Have you ever wondered… Why every industry has only a few businesses that thrive and get more leads? And they don’t suffer from cash flow problems or lack of leads, even when there is an ‘economic downturn’. They don’t have to ‘push’ or make stacks of cold calls.

More>>

MAY
22

WEBINAR: How to turn your knowledge into products… and build a global empire in your underpants!

This webinar is all about how to unlock your valuable industry knowledge and turn it into a product. It’s about how to increase the value of your business and take control of its future.

More>>