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neotherbusiness is a business blog where you can share views and opinions about business news and developments in Newcastle and the North-East.

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Jonny HarrisonJonny Harrison is sailing to Australia from the UK via the Panama Canal before he starts work in Sydney on a secondment at his firm PricewaterhouseCoopers »
Andrew HebdenAndrew Hebden is Assistant Editor (Business) of The Journal »
Katie PringleKatie Pringle has started her own business, Rock, Paper, Scissors »
Andrew MerninAndrew Mernin is the Digital Journalist for nebusiness »
Matthew RipponMatthew Rippon is an IP lawyer for BHP Law »
Jez DavisonFormerly editor of a national business lifestyle magazine, Jez Davison is a business writer for the Evening Gazette in Teesside »
Ross SmithRoss Smith, Head of Policy and Research at the North-East Chamber of Commerce »
Julian ChristopherJulian Christopher from Footprint Public Relations, on media and marketing »
Norma FosterNorma Foster from the North East Regional Portal writes about e-business »
Ian BrownIan Brown, Northumberland farmer and businessman writes about the agricultural industry »
Steve WilkinsonAccessibilty Champion Steve Wilkinson on the importance of inclusion »
Andrea WilkinsonAndrea Wilkinson of Shared Interest is visiting Rwanda to deliver business training »
Jonathan WheatleyJonathan Wheatley from Stokesley-based MC Ware writes about IT matters »
Paul WilliamsonPaul Williamson from Deloitte »

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Should employers block social networking sites?

Posted by Jonathan Wheatley on May 16, 2008 2:16 PM | 

Can you prevent time wasting on the internet?

I am asked more and more as an IT Consultant with MC Ware to block and monitor websites due to managements concerns about time wasting but I am not sure if this is always the answer.

One week the panic will be related to Facebook, the next week Bebo and who knows what will be next. I am sometimes of the opinion that people who are committed to wasting time on the web have probably always found other ways of avoiding work.

I’m sure we have all walked into an office that on the surface looks frantic but as you see the Solitaire program minimized with the fastest bit of typing that the keyboard is likely to see all may not be as it seems.

Spending time and money trying to monitor and limit social networking activity or whatever site is flavor of the month may be a waste of recourses that could be better invested in systems that could assist the business and these may include social networking sites.


Comments (2)

Stephen Davies wrote...

"I am sometimes of the opinion that people who are committed to wasting time on the web have probably always found other ways of avoiding work."

Absolutely spot on.

A social network for me is not just a platform where I can send my mates funny jokes or the latest Britney video, but one where I communicate with my peers, colleagues and clients about work-related matters.

I think the sooner businesses and, more specifically, IT managers realise this the better.

Posted by: Stephen Davies  | May 16, 2008 3:07 PM

Seared Seabass wrote...

It is unrealisted and outdated for any business to operate without leniancy on such matters.

Most people despise work and that is the simple reality. Allowing one to social network and have time out is crucial. We already work the longest hours in Europe and productivity levels are not any better than our counterparts.

Younger, more amiable characters in more senior managerial positions is essential and a genuine relaxation of surveillance can only lead to better and fairer working practice.

Surely we should be moving away from the archaic practice's of the 20th century?

Posted by: Seared Seabass  | June 3, 2008 10:34 AM

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