Modern technology – whether it transpires in the form of productivity solutions, chat tools or business intelligence software – enables companies across the globe to be smarter, faster and more profitable. However, as the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility. We could be referring to a myriad of technological concerns when we talk in the context of responsibility, but the issue we want to tackle now is the tricky subject of internet use in the workplace.
With a staggering 65% of employees reporting to use the internet for personal reasons during working hours, business managers have to wonder if there is something they should be doing to make a clearer distinction between personal and professional internet usage? It’s a complicated issue these days as social media is widely recognised to be an extremely effective communication tool, that if harnessed correctly should increase productivity rather than hamper it. However, that generally excludes spending hours scrolling through the endless supply of memes, gifs and hilarious “cats doing silly things” videos!
The complication of the BYOD workplace
A glaringly obvious complication in trying to make such clear distinctions in the workplace is when you have a BYOD policy. No, we’re not referring to bringing your own bottle of wine to a restaurant! In this case, BYOD means Bring Your Own Device and it’s practised formally and informally in many companies across the country.
At least 78% of Irish businesses allow their employees to take advantage of remote working, which in most cases means they use their own personal computer/laptop away from the office to complete their work. However, BYOD also extends to the individual’s smartphone and/or tablet which allows them to access business applications on the go with an easy swipe or tap of the finger.
Some companies provide employees with company products which helps to demarcate the device for professional use only. However, this is not the case in many workplaces because either the SME can’t afford this extra expense or the company recognises that individuals tend to invest in higher quality technology for personal use than the company would be willing to invest in, and therefore for productivity reasons it is preferred for employees to use their own device.
The internet as a resource for employees
As you can see, it is very easy for grey areas to arise in the modern workplace where technology reigns. Apart from the sheer quantity of devices one person has access to on a daily basis, the internet is unsurprising quite a handy thing to have access to in work! For roles in marketing, recruitment, sales, events, PR and advertising, having access to online platforms is vital for completing tasks. But that’s not the be all and end all.
The advantages of being able to Google at will can range from learning how to use new features in business applications to troubleshooting technical issues to boosting information discovery to finding new resources and locating professional contact details. Social media is a great way for employees to build their professional relationships while also making new connections. Platforms such as LinkedIn even allow people to share their professional experiences and learn from one another.
That being said, the Irish public has admitted to checking their phones on average 55 times a day! So, giving your employees full reign may not be the best idea. That’s why we’re going to give you some practical advice for managing your employee internet usage at work.
What can you do to manage internet usage at work
Create a BYOD policy
To stop BYOD becoming a free for all, it is wise to draw up a BYOD policy that clearly states your expectations with regards to employee online behaviour while at work. What online activities are appropriate and inappropriate at work can be clearly defined here. This type of policy will also take into account IT security issues, so it quite a useful document to have in a work environment that trusts employees to securely access sensitive information from their personal devices.
Create a social media policy
A social media policy is more specific than a BYOD policy in that it addresses the issue of how employees should conduct themselves on social media. This is an important policy to have to protect your brand reputation. Your social media policy will include rules and regulations regarding etiquette, privacy, copyright, brand guidelines and disclaimers. You can also include in your policy guidelines regarding personal social media use at work.
Consider blocking certain websites and monitoring
Some companies find that policies are not enough and that they are better off removing temptation entirely. You can block specific websites, such as social media sites, through your firewall or your internet browser settings. Another option is to use tracking software to monitor employee online behaviour. However, this “big brother” approach is a controversial issue and can take a heavy toll on employee work satisfaction if not handled correctly.
We have an even better solution…
Whether an employee is going to slack off on work time to watch Youtube videos and catch up with their friend often has little to do with internet access and more to do with their level of conscientiousness as an employee. If you are looking to hire top talent who have a proven record of taking pride in their work, we can help with that! Get in contact with us today and we’ll connect the dots between you and your ideal candidates.
