Question

Course Title: Introduction to Business.

Technology such as the internet or email is used in business to help employees perform daily tasks. Some employees also use the internet and email for personal reasons while at work. Some organizations monitor network activity such as internet browsing or email and have filters to prevent employees from going to specific internet sites such as Facebook.

In your post, share your thoughts on employees sending personal emails or shopping while on the job based on the concepts from this unit.

Answer 1

I am of the strong opinion that employees should be discouraged and, if necessary, prevented as well from using internet and email at office for personal purposes like sending personal e-mails, accessing social media sites and doing online shopping. This is because of two main reasons. First of all office internet is a resource of the company or the employer and hence using it for personal reasons will tantamount to abusing that resource. Secondly and more importantly use of internet for personal reasons can interfere with the work of the employee and generally leads to reduction in efficiency and productivity of the employee.

Overuse of internet for activities that are non-work related is nothing but a form of underperformance or a type of misconduct on the part of the employees. It is also a dereliction of duty and hence employers and the managers of the organization should inform and educate employees to minimize the use of office internet for non-work related purposes. Employees should not be monitored, rather they should be encouraged to self-govern and self-regulate their activities. If this mechanism fails then managers should directly regulate the use of internet for non-work related purposes by having filters for specific sites.

Managers should develop policies and frameworks for employees and should apprise the employees of their duties and responsibilities and educate them and inform them that how the use of internet for non-work related purposes are causing the organization to suffer.