04-19-2009, 07:27 AM
"I think people should be able to have unlimited access to the internet
at work, but a list of what sites they visit and for how long should
be posted on a generally accessible intranet page." [PaulW]
When my former employer hooked all staff (more than 15,000 people globally) to computers and gave them unlimited access to the Internet to carry out their official responsibilities (oh so many years ago), this was the policy from the start. For the first three months, the employer reminded staff that their Internet activity was being watched and action against misuse would be taken. After that time, two (union) staff members were fired, one for spending more than an hour a day on a porno site and one for spending about two hours a day shopping. About a year later, a (very dumb) staff member was fired for trying to run a side business on the official computer.
From that point on, there was no "exceptional" misuse of the Internet - although all staff would occasionally shop, or hit a game site, etc. When questioned about such short-term misuse, the employer stated that it was considered the same as a staff member staring out the window or daydreaming for a little while.
Such a policy could be instituted anywhere now, with adequate notice to the staff.
at work, but a list of what sites they visit and for how long should
be posted on a generally accessible intranet page." [PaulW]
When my former employer hooked all staff (more than 15,000 people globally) to computers and gave them unlimited access to the Internet to carry out their official responsibilities (oh so many years ago), this was the policy from the start. For the first three months, the employer reminded staff that their Internet activity was being watched and action against misuse would be taken. After that time, two (union) staff members were fired, one for spending more than an hour a day on a porno site and one for spending about two hours a day shopping. About a year later, a (very dumb) staff member was fired for trying to run a side business on the official computer.
From that point on, there was no "exceptional" misuse of the Internet - although all staff would occasionally shop, or hit a game site, etc. When questioned about such short-term misuse, the employer stated that it was considered the same as a staff member staring out the window or daydreaming for a little while.
Such a policy could be instituted anywhere now, with adequate notice to the staff.