“Cyberloafing” New Workplace Problem
February 7, 2013 5:19 AM 
Have you ever been caught checking your Facebook page while at work? There are more and more businesses locking their employees computers so that only company business can be done on them. The reason is clear. According to a new study reported by YahooNews a phenomenon called “cyberloafing” is taking up nearly 80% of some employees time online. What are they surfing the net for?
The study from Kansas State University states that there are differences in employee “cyberloafing” preferences.
Generational differences were expressed in the various ways in which people specifically waste their time. “Older people are doing things like managing their finances, while young people found it much more acceptable to spend time on social networking sites like Facebook,” said Joseph Urgin, an assistant professor at Kansas State University.
Although many employers are concerned about internet activity and its effect on productivity they are worried about overstepping their employees boundaries.
While the study’s authors endorse tougher sanctions to enforce productivity and worker conduct, they say employers must maintain a healthy balance in order to not negatively affect office morale. “People will feel like Big Brother is watching them, so companies need to be careful when taking those types of action,” Ugrin said.
Just be sure your work gets done, that’s the bottom line.
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