Whether it's email, Facebook, IM or Second Life, if your doing it at work, you're a "cyberslacker."
"A recent survey by online compensation firm Salary.com showed about six out of 10 employees in the United States acknowledged wasting time at work," Yahoo news reports. "About 34 percent listed personal Internet use as the leading time-wasting activity in the workplace. Employees said they did so because they were bored, worked too many hours, were underpaid or were unchallenged at work. Some experts say private Internet use at work does not affect productivity and could even be beneficial."
Wasting your hours on the job is a time honored tradition. Maybe you're just taking a break, clearing your head, perhaps they're not paying you enough, or quite simply, you have a bonehead boss. As long as you're not coming back to the office with a loaded weapon ready to unload on colleagues, what's the harm?
What's Driving This Trend
- Increased Workplace Distractions
- The trend of employees engaging in personal internet use at work is increasing, causing a rise in workplace distractions.
- Employee Boredom and Lack of Challenge
- Many employees engage in cyberslacking due to feelings of boredom and lack of challenge in their work, indicating a need for more stimulating and engaging tasks.
- Potential Benefits of Personal Internet Use
- Some experts suggest that allowing personal internet use at work could have benefits, such as improved creativity and reduced stress levels.
Who This Affects Most
- Human Resources
- The human resources industry can address the issue of increased workplace distractions by implementing policies and strategies to minimize cyberslacking and improve employee productivity.
- Technology
- The technology industry can develop innovative solutions that help businesses monitor and manage personal internet use at work, ensuring a balance between productivity and employee satisfaction.
- Workplace Productivity Apps
- The development of workplace productivity apps can help employees stay focused and minimize distractions, while also providing insights and data to employers on time usage and potential areas for improvement.
