A new report shows CIOs think you should be working on company time and not goofing off on Facebook, Twitter or any other social network, microblogging or other non-work Website. That isn't to say that some companies don't see the marketing benefits of these platforms. Knowing your company's policy can go a long way toward avoiding a call in the human resources office.More than half of the 1,400 CIOs surveyed block sites such as Facebook and Twitter
completely from employee access, according to Robert Half Technology. That's a big
number of technology management professionals saying that you should be avoiding
online distractions as much as possible.
With the rise of mobile Internet
technology, however, the question is whether companies can really thwart online
distractions regardless of a company's internal network tactics. What's stopping
you from sliding your iPhone on or unlocking your BlackBerry and tweeting all
day long while working?
Using social networking sites may divert employees
attention away from more pressing priorities, so its understandable that some
companies limit access, said Dave Willmer, executive director of Robert Half
Technology, in a news release. For some professions, however, these sites can be
leveraged as effective business tools, which may be why about one in five
companies allows their use for work-related purposes.
Here
are the highlights of how CIOs handle these sites on company
networks:
-
Prohibited completely: 54%
-
Permitted for business purposes
only: 19%
-
Permitted for limited personal use: 16%
-
Permitted for any type
of personal use: 10%
At issue are productivity, security hazards such as
identity theft via social engineering and, for smaller companies, bandwidth
issues.
The best scenario is in blocking these sites on a schedule,
allowing for some access during lunch breaks and post-work hours for limited
times, so as to not completely exclude social networking practices, said David
Kelleher, communications and research analyst at GFI. Kelleher wrote for CIO.com
in his article "Social
Networking at Work: Fear Not Facebook, MySpace and Bebo?":
"The
middle ground monitors all Web activity and controls it on a per user basis when
social networking sites can be accessed at the office. Administrators can use
Web monitoring software to block access during most of the day except during the
staff lunch break or before and after normal office hours. The same software can
be used to ensure that any files downloaded or links accessed online are checked
in real time for exploits, malware and viruses...If a company wants to make use of a social networking profile for marketing
purposes, access should be given to those who will be updating the profile and
all content should be monitored to ensure it is appropriate. Running third-party
applications should be discouraged."
Robert Half Technology suggests workers and companies review their policies,
communicate them clearly and limit your own use to avoid questions and problems
with productivity.
"Professionals should let common sense prevail when using Facebook and
similar sites -- even outside of business hours, Willmer said in the same
release. Regrettable posts can be a career liability.