Abuse of corporate e-mail and internet access costs UK business
£500 million in lost productivity per year, according to a report
from the Federation Against Software Theft (FAST). The organisation
is calling for more use of internet and e-mail policies.
Each day 20 million UK workers send 4.5 million e-mails, says
FAST. The content, without strict e-mail protocol, is rarely
detected. These messages could contain a legitimate message or in
some cases the entire year's work of an employee who is moving to a
competitor.
Internet management company Websense reports that, during the
9-5 working day, 70% of all internet porn traffic occurs, 30 to 40%
of internet surfing is not business-related and more than 60% of
on-line purchases are made.
"No company is immune from e-risk," said Richard Willmott head
of FAST Corporate Services. "You cannot be present in every office
every hour of the day and you cannot rely on employees to exercise
sound judgement 100% of the time."
"UK businesses must establish clear policies
and procedures to help reduce electronic exposures and lessen the
likelihood of costly litigation.
"Regulating employee e-mail, internet, and
software use isn't a big brother tactic. It's smart business.
Employee use of company computer resources, including e-mail, the
internet, and software, can open any organisation to electronic
risks. What starts off as a little bit of Cyberslacking can turn
into major company turmoil."
Richard Willmott believes companies must take a proactive stance
and prepare themselves by ensuring policies are set in place
now.
"Take the experience of Norwich Union where
a simple error of judgement with e-mail cost the company £450,000.
An employee did not know that a message sent out from a company
e-mail address it is just like sending it out on letterhead and
unintentionally sent out a libellous e-mail. A simple internet and
e-mail policy could have prevented this situation."
Recent research has revealed so-called cyberslackers' favourite
sites include news, investment, pornography, travel, entertainment
and shopping. 50% of employees report receiving racist, sexist,
pornographic, or otherwise inappropriate email at work.
Furthermore, 90% of workers admit to recreational surfing on
company time, accounting for nearly one third of their on-line
activity.
For information on internet and e-mail policies and how to
monitor employees legally, see our guide. We are about to make a
new policy available free for download and use. If you want to be
notified when it becomes available, e-mail info@out-law.com.
