- UK workers unaware their bosses could see private emails, texts, WhatsApp, Facebook and instant messages during office hours
- Two fifths (40%) send messages about new job opportunities
- One in ten (9%) flirt with colleagues over email
New research from Dice, the online career site for the technology community, reveals that Brits are unwittingly sending private messages at work, including applying or enquiring about a new job, without realising their employers could monitor the content.
More than two thirds (69%) of UK workers admit to regularly sending private emails, texts, WhatsApp, Facebook and instant messages during work hours – with some doing so up to 100 times per day. Young people (16-24 year olds) are leading this trend, with the vast majority (96%) saying they send personal messages whilst at work.
The survey highlights how employees are in the dark when it comes to rules around monitoring private messaging sent during work hours. Over two fifths (42%) weren’t aware that their employers may be entitled to monitor the content of private messages sent on work hardware under a new 2016 legislation following a case where an employee was fired for using Yahoo Messenger to speak to his financeé at work.
It also shows that employees are not shy about what they send or do during work hours. Two fifths (40%) have pursued a new job at work, one in ten (9%) have discussed private matters about their relationship or flirted with a colleague and almost a third (31%) have used their time at work to shop online.
When asked how they felt knowing their employees could monitor their private messages; over a quarter (27%) felt angry claiming it an invasion of their privacy, one fifth (21%) slammed it as ‘big brother’ and 18% said it is a breach of their human rights. Despite this, half of people (49%) said they won’t change their behaviour and two fifths (39%) don’t plan to be more mindful of what they say in these messages.
Jamie Bowler, Marketing Director, Dice Europe comments: “It’s clear that many people aren’t aware of their workplace policies around private messaging and internet use, which could get them into trouble if they are monitored and get caught saying or doing something they shouldn’t.
“Rules vary from workplace to workplace, so it’s always best to adhere to company policies, rather than ignore them and suffer the consequences. Regardless of these, we’d always advise people to be careful about their communication in the workplace. Let’s face it, we’ve all had that feeling of dread when we’ve sent the wrong person the wrong email!”
David Evans, Director of Policy at BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, comments: “It’s really important for individuals to understand how their use of email and social media fits with their employer’s policies and business needs, and take seriously the trust placed in them. It is also important for managers to treat employees with respect, creating an environment of trust, informing them of what takes place, and not monitoring their employees more than is needed to manage business risks.”