Businesses call time on social networking sites

Constant use of social networking websites could be costing South Coast businesses tens of thousands of pounds.

Ringwood human resources firm Jaluch claims itís constantly hearing from companies concerned that staff overuse of sites such as Facebook is reducing productivity.

In one extreme recent local case dealt with by Jaluch an employee was logged onto Facebook for all but half an hour of their working week.

The firm estimates that for a company employing 100 or more people, staff logging onto social networking sites for just 30 minutes per day in working hours could amount to tens of thousands of pounds of lost time per year.

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Other common misdemeanours include posting compromising photographs of work parties online and posting inappropriate comments on blog-sites.

Helen Clarke, Managing Director of Jaluch, said: ìFacebook is just one of many social networking sites and, with over eight million users in the UK; itís quite a force to be reckoned with.

ìSome companies, particularly charities, find websites such as this useful in raising their profile and a good marketing tool, for others it can be a source of bullying and professional embarrassment.

ìAlthough there are benefits to letting staff manage elements of their personal life at work, companies should make sure their internet and email policies are robust. With the right policies in place, employees who spend too much time socialising online could be disciplined for misconduct ñ specifically misuse of company time.

ìThe costs to businesses of overuse of these sites is massive ñ for a company employing 100 or more people, just 30 minutes of logging onto the likes of Facebook per day, could amount to tens of thousands of pounds of lost time per year.î

IT usage policies should address what staff can and cannot access while at work and how long they can be online for. Staff should be well informed of the content of that policy and of the consequences of non-compliance.