It has been discussed earlier in the class presentation as well as on this blog that Internet addiction is a growing concern for businesses worldwide. Companies have been trying to find a balance between monitoring their employees actions and restricting access without making their employees feel controlled. Since any form or monitoring or restriction adds significant costs to a companies operations, this is a less than desirable course of action. With the increased use of the Internet along with mobile access platforms, productivity while at work is suffering. Is this really a responsibility of a companies management; or is this an individual responsibility, being accountable for ones individual actions? Is Internet Addiction just a habit you can quit?
Overall, I believe that in order for businesses to truly combat Internet Addiction there needs to be a blend of monitoring, restricting, and most of all there needs to be a sense of individual accountability and responsibility in the employees. If they have a personal stake in their performance at work, then they are less likely to neglect their duties. This would require performance reviews, which are already done by many companies, but perhaps there needs to be an Internet usage report included, either rewarding or punishing employees based on the usage report. It is a concerning subject and until more is known about this addiction, the methods of controlling and treating it will be less than effective.
Source:
Investor's Business, Daily. "Internet addiction no figment." Investors Business Daily 31 Aug. 2012: A02. Business Source Complete. Web. 6 Apr. 2013.
I can definitely see how internet addiction poses a huge problem for businesses. The ultimate goal of most companies is to obtain the greatest amount of profit as possible. In order to do this, a company must utilize all of its resources efficiently. This can not be done if employees are constantly on the internet for personal reasons. Every second an employee spends on the internet for non work related work reasons is time, money, and work the company looses. I think that a company has every right to ban employees from using the internet for non work related reasons as well as the right to monitor its employees' internet usage. Some might think that this is an invasion of privacy, but I disagree. When you are at work you are being paid to work. Not play on the internet. If you don't want the company you work for to have access to your personal matters then don't conduct matters of the such while you are supposed to be working.
ReplyDeleteI found it quite humoring that you used the statement that, "Companies have been trying to find a balance between monitoring their employees actions and restricting access without making their employees feel controlled." While I'm not blaming you for taking this stance I am, however, stating that it's quite funny that people think that not being able to browse the internet or use web applications for personal use while "on the clock" is such a bad thing. The word 'controlling' is commonly tossed around in the workplace, especially in discussions related to internet use, and it most always is used with a negative connotation. It seems, however, that people are forgetting that employers pay employees to work, not play. Why is it so bad that they ask you to actually do what you're getting paid for instead of engaging in activities that are best conducted outside the workplace? It's a novel idea, I know, but the "I'm being controlled too much at work" mentality is a growing one. Perhaps it does stem from out growing need (addiction maybe?) to remain "connected" to the social world. Perhaps it's just laziness. Who knows?
ReplyDeleteKenneth,
ReplyDeleteYes I can see how that was quite humorous, I was simply stating the problems companies are facing while addressing this issue. I was in no way stating my stance on the subject. If I were to take a stance on the subject I would say companies should establish policies that completely ban usage unless it is for company/job related purposes. Unfortunately people would not react well to that. Companies want their employees to be productive and not disgruntled. In a time where almost anything can land a company in hot water "legally" the proper methods of controlling Internet usage vary and may never reach a standardized level. I think it’s more of an individual responsibility and if it is similar to a nicotine addiction that just quit doing it. I quit smoking and have never gone back to it. It’s not hard and if someone truly values their job then they will make the appropriate changes in their lives to keep their job. I think it is surprising and sad that companies actually have to address this topic.