Answer to Question #161714 in Marketing for EUGINE HAWEZA

Question

Questions

The internet is a staple of the modern office. Some companies are concerned that the Internet (and its e-mail application) lead to increased theft of time in the workplace. But, others argue that the Internet promotes efficiency of information. Should companies simply get rid of the Internet at work or should they craft policies that acknowledge the reality that employees may occasionally use the Internet for non-work related tasks.

1. What are your thoughts on this?
2. What are the parameters and the potential implications for failure to adhere to those parameters?

Answer 1

Internet usage in workplaces has indeed been on the rise consuming valuable time of the company for matters not related to work. However, the internet has been the fastest source of information for the employees, which is vital for the company's growth; for example, suppose an employee knowing the competitors' strategies via internet and use that information for the benefit of the company. I think the organizations should develop policies and parameters for efficient delivery of work, like having high targets daily.

The parameters that a company should use as; creating a written restricted Internet use policy for employees and specify which employees to access the internet, which websites when employees can use the internet, and how long they can use it. Disseminate the policy to employees through email, company meetings, and written postings, Install a program that controls internet usage where it confines Internet access to specified times and creates usage limits based on time and block some websites, and lastly, install a program that tracks and logs Internet usage on the computers such as Spytech, Web Watcher or Sniper Spy. The potential implications of failure to adhere to the above parameters can be loss of control of the internet by workers leading to the company's inefficiency and retardant growth. Further, the company management should take disciplinary actions against those who do not adhere, where they may lose job or salary reduction or suspension.