Admit it, you’ve tweeted at work before. Or checked Facebook for newly tagged photos of yourself. I’ve done it. It has become almost second nature for our generation to pull out your smartphone and share a funny picture with your followers. This all happens much to the dismay of employers. Previous employers banned the use of Internet for personal surfing, but I couldn’t resist going on Facebook in that limbo time between three and five p.m.
If you are one of the rare ones who has never surfed the Internet at work or school for personal reasons, you might want to start. According to a Socialcast study, employees who engage in workplace Internet leisure browsing, or WILB, are 9 per cent more productive than those who don’t. “Short and unobtrusive breaks, such as a quick surf of the Internet, enables the mind to rest itself, leading to a higher total net concentration for a days’ work, and as a result, increased productivity,” said Dr. Brent Coker, University of Melbourne.
These are the main reasons 54 per cent of employers ban personal Internet use:
- It’s a distraction leading to decreased productivity
- It uses up precious bandwidth
- Potential for legal liabilities
- Corporate information can be leaked
- The risk of viruses
In her post, Amanda mentioned the Cisco Connected World Technology Report and the importance of the Internet to our generation. Out of the 2,800 college students and recent graduates surveyed, 56 per cent said they would refuse to work at a company that bans social media. This not only shows the changing mindset of young professionals, but it’s evidence that companies need to be more aware of what new employees expect from them.
Here's an infographic Socialcast made from the study:
What are your thoughts? Would you turn down a job offer if the company had banned social media use? Do you find taking social media breaks increases your productivity?
