Nearly 90% of employees feel the internet can be addictive and 41%
admit to personal surfing at work for more than three hours per
week, according to a new survey released today from employee
internet management firm Websense.
The Web@Work Survey 2001, conducted by researchers Taylor Nelson
Sofres, was conducted among 800 employees across the UK, Italy,
France and Germany.
According to the survey, UK companies are the most aggressive
when it comes to reprimanding staff for inappropriate use of the
Net. Employers in the UK were five times more likely to take
disciplinary action than Italian employers and two-and-a-half times
more likely to take action than their French or German
counterparts.
The survey also found that while pornography is widely available
on the internet and has been a public and visible concern to
employers, employees are now using the web in much broader,
different ways. For example, employees reported using the internet
at work to book a holiday (52%), pursue education (42%), research a
hobby (41%), visit a virtual shop (28%) or watch a sports event
(27%).
Other findings from the survey include:-
- 52% of companies across Europe are doing nothing to address the
issue of internet misuse. However, the percentages change depending
on the country. For example, 67% of UK respondents said they have
internet access policies in place, while only 33% of French
companies report the same.
- 71% of workers feel that it is acceptable to have the internet
managed at work, with the UK and Germans being most in favour.
- 73% of staff feel that it is acceptable to surf the web at work
during breaks, but only half feel it is appropriate before or after
official hours.
“The survey shows that the Internet is clearly a valuable
business tool for employees, but at the same time it can be a
distraction,” said Geoff Haggart, VP of Europe for Websense. “It
also shows that companies need to strike a balance and be aware
that employees do not object to having their internet access at
work managed.”
