Pros of Acceptable use Policies
Having an acceptable use policy which allows employees to use the Internet for their own personal use at work within a reasonable amount can allow for more creativity among workers. Allowing employees to access their own social websites may also encourage more communication and collaboration between fellow employees within a business. Many companies have began to change the way they conduct business due to a new generation coming to work, Generation Y, and an older generation retiring. Generation Y workers are more likely to be connected constantly to the internet and are also used to doing work while not at a desk. This makes them more likely to respond to work related emails when not at work, and with that they expect to be reciprocated and allowed to access personal email and social websites occasionally while at work. Also with an acceptable use policy, employees feel more trusted by their employers and work harder for them. When an employee does not feel trusted, or if they feel they are being scrutinized, their energy and enthusiasm for their work may decline. Employees should be responsible adults, so giving them this freedom should not cause huge losses in profits.
Pros of Prohibiting Personal Usage of the Internet at Work
It may be in a companies overall best interest to prohibit personal Internet usage at work. Obvious reasons such as, employees being distracted, and loss of productivity contribute to employers putting strict rules into place against personal Internet use. Another reason to consider prohibiting the Internet for personal reasons, is that it can protect employers from legal lawsuits. If an employee commits an illegal act on a company computer, even if the employer is unaware, the company may be liable for that employee's actions online. An example of this is the illegal downloading of music onto company computers. Also, excessive downloading of files, such as videos, may also affect the performance and speed of a companies network.
Conclusion
Every company and business is different, and whatever is right for it must be decided upon by the head of the company or owner of the business. Of course a small business with few employees would not need the same policies as would a large corporate office employing thousands of people. So the type of business you run, the type of people that work for you, and the type of boss you wish to be seen as all play a role in what kind of Internet use you allow from your employees.
Erica Blackwell
Erica Blackwell
Every business has their own preference, but I feel as though prohibiting the personal use of the internet entirely is not a good idea. The internet has become a huge part of everyday life for modern workers. If employees are trusted in their jobs it makes them feel much more safe at work and can definitely make for a more creative workplace. More productive workers are what every company strives for and if they feel as though the employer does not trust them in the end it will result in a negative impact on the company.
ReplyDeleteNathan Barker
Hey,
ReplyDeleteI think that when workers aren't that busy, they will make use of business time and resources for personal things (such as facebook, twitter, e-mail). I really don't think limitations would be good for morale or a better performance. However, I think, if the workers are busy enough that they have to use most of their "work time" actually working, you can minimze the slack the worker may have for personal needs. (Of course, carefully balancing work so you don't overwhelm your workers, and risk performance.)
I agree with both of your comments. I feel that prohibiting all personal usage of the internet at work would do more harm than good. As long as it is kept to a reasonable amount, and not interfering with work. Also, if if an employer cannot trust their employees, why would they want them to even be working for their business?
ReplyDeleteI do not think prohibiting personal use would make a difference in in production. people who are done with their work will kill time with or without access to their computers. It may just lower their thoughts of the company. I actually think if people can use the computer for their personal use, they will be less likely to leave work to do something they could have done there.
ReplyDeleteOlivia Clark
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ReplyDeleteI think by prohibiting personal use of the internet at work is acceptable for employers to do because employees are paid for working, not for getting on social websites, blogging, twitting, or any other activity that is for personal reasons. By allowing employees to use computers can cause serious distractions, making the employees unable to meet deadlines and be overall less productive. There is plenty of time for employees to use the computer for personal reasons at lunch or on their off time. I don't see any reason that employees would need to use the computer for personal reasons while on the clock.
ReplyDeleteRuth Kluttz
From my personal experience, it is just better to not use the company's computers for personal use. When I decided to go back to school to finish my degree, I started at CPCC and I was working full-time. My supervisor gave me the authorization to use the company's computer to do my homework during my lunch hour. I was working on a research paper, during my lunch hour, and "hit" a lot of websites for my topic. A few weeks later, I was written up for excessive internet use for personal purposes. But, I was on my lunch break and was given authorization.... So, to play it safe, I brought my laptop to work and went down the street to Panera during my lunch breaks. My advice would be, don't use company computers for personal uses.
ReplyDeleteI can see both sides to this issue. I think companies have a right to restrict Internet use because they are the ones paying for the Internet as well as paying employees to be there to do work, not surf the web. But I also don't see anything wrong with checking facebook or twitter on your lunch break or once you have finished your work.
ReplyDeleteI think it was a good idea to just bring your own laptop. I would much rather play it safe than risk losing my job. Although, that was very unfair that you had already gotten authorized and were on your lunch break. I would have been really annoyed.
Erica Blackwell