Even
though workplace activity is restricted to a certain degree by corporations
seeking to instill some measure of control on their employees, social
networking is still allowed in some companies. 48.3% of corporations still
allow social media, and by extension social networking access to their
employees (http://socialtimes.com/social-media-in-the-workplace-infographic_b74120).
This shocking statistic highlights just how little companies know about how
workplace productivity is affected when employees go browsing on the web in
their favorite social networking spaces.
According to a research study, “Companies that let employees access
Facebook during work hours can expect to see total office productivity
decline by an average of 1.5 percent” (http://touchpointcity.wordpress.com/2009/08/09/social-media-and-workplace-productivity-on-a-collision-course/).
Although this may not seem like a high percentage, to companies trying to work
on low margins, with cut throat pricing methods and extremely competitive markets,
this decline in productivity may signal a decline in overall bottom line. Also,
note that this study does not include Twitter, Youtube, or other forms of
social networking. Even though employees may not explicitly recognize the need
to avoid exposure to social networks while at the office or on the job,
companies should still consider whether this is improving business performance
and enhancing profit or whether browsing is sinking the ship and the employees
with it.
What are your thoughts on the decline in employee performance? Are these
numbers too trivial or have you found that these declines in workplace
productivity are a factor of something larger in the company, such as low
employee morale?
5 comments:
I think whether or not companies should allow the use of social networking sites at work depends on the functions and tasks being performed by the worker. If it is a job that is mostly sedentary and has a lot of downtime, then I see no reason to restrict or limit its usage.
If however, it is a job that requires specialization and attention to detail, then using social networking sites is extremely distracting and the loss of productivity can cost a company a great deal of money. I personally feel that people should be very wary when using social networking sites while at work, even if on a smartphone and not work PC, as you never know who might come across something you post online and can lose your job because of it.
I agree with this sentiment completely, especially if the company is already dealing with private information as a matter of course. Workers should be very wary of what exactly they post on their social networking sites and also how much information they leave out there so that their boss can access it. The loss of productivity is less of a concern than information security at that point.
I feel that every employer should set some kind of limits on social networking. I understand that all jobs differ in time, specialization, and detail attention; but, I think a 1.5 decrease in productivity does add up and make a business weaker. I think businesses that require attentiveness, with a productivity decrease, could be a victim of a downfall. How does the decrease affect economies of scale? How large is that 1.5 decrease when compared to different companies revenue? Could it be pocket change? or the little amount still needed to help cover costs? Food for thought.
I believe employers should restrict social media/networking 100% of the time. If were CEO of a successful business I would never want my employees to spend their time at work on irrelevant things. Work is for work, what you do outside of work is on your own time.
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