Are Facebook and Twitter affecting your business’ productivity?

There’s no doubt about it, for many businesses employee misuse of the Internet can be a real problem.  We receive increasing numbers of requests from business owners and managers asking to help control Internet access.

According to employment law firm Peninsula, 233 million hours are lost every month as a result of employees “wasting time” on social networking.

While some firms have embraced Facebook and social networking in general, others have cracked down. Previously, Kent County Council has banned workers from using Facebook in an effort to crack down on "time-wasting".

The TUC said that all-out bans were not the answer and that firms should draw up guidelines instead. The organisation said employers were entitled to stop people using the sites during the working day but that staff should be able to use their time during lunch breaks to contact friends on sites such as Facebook, MySpace and Bebo.

This is the approach taken by many of our clients who have asked us to restrict non-work related sites outside of lunch-time hours.  This can often be done at little or no extra cost using existing equipment.  Optionally, more advanced systems allow full control of Internet access and detailed reporting on usage.  To find out the most effective way to control Internet access in your business call 01384 880660 and speak to James or Richard, or email info@jamescash.co.uk