Internet Abuse in the Workplace

The Internet has become an invaluable resource in the workplace, the world's biggest reference library, social media center, and pornography outlet is now only a click away. This availability presents a significant risk factor for employer liability and costs employers thousands of hours in productivity each day. Monitoring employee Internet use is one way to reduce employer liability, and whether or not you agree with the principles behind Internet monitoring, many employers agree that it is a necessary evil.

Internet abusers range from upper management employees in private offices viewing hardcore pornography, to the department assistant in a cubicle that spends 3 hours a day using Facebook, doing online shopping, making travel arrangements, and paying bills through the company Internet. Internet abuse is endemic in the workplace and organizations are being forced to face the problem head on, or suffer the consequences.

Among the many consequences of Internet abuse is a loss of productivity and scores of litigation issues such as sexual harassment, hostile work environment and discrimination. Monitoring Employee Internet access is one way that an organization can limit its liability.

Defining Internet Abuse
 

Defining Internet abuse is the first challenge, and creating an organization wide acceptable use policy (AUP) is the first step in the definition. An AUP defines what constitutes Internet abuse in your organization. What was acceptable Internet behavior in one organization may be unacceptable in another, so the AUP is a highly customized policy, based on the organizational mission. The organization determines what lines will be drawn when it comes to Internet abuse.

The key to a successful AUP implementation in most organizations is similar to other policy development issues in the workplace. There must be "buy-in" from the "top-down", in other words, the leaders of the organization must agree to the principles of the AUP and endeavor to push that policy down to the directors, managers and supervisors within the organization. The most critical stage of AUP development is dependant on upper management "buy-in" and their willingness to demonstrate the importance of this policy to the rest of the organization.

The key to a successful AUP implementation in most organizations is similar to other policy development issues in the workplace. There must be "buy-in" from the "top-down", in other words, the leaders of the organization must agree to the principles of the AUP and endeavor to push that policy down to the directors, managers and supervisors within the organization. The most critical stage of AUP development is dependant on upper management "buy-in" and their willingness to demonstrate the importance of this policy to the rest of the organization.

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Greetings!

We have included some very interesting information about Small Business from the National Small Business Association.  We hope you enjoy the article and will click to see the entire survey about utilizing technology by small businesses. 

Jamshid Javidi, President, CEO Computers

and

Cecile Bendavid, Newsletter Editor

Please call us with any questions.

The Small Business Association Survey 

Since 1937, the National Small Business Association (NSBA) has been the nation's leading small-business advocate.   
 

As part of NSBA's mission to address the needs and represent the concerns of the U.S. small-business community, we conduct a series of surveys and quick polls throughout the year. In addition to our semi-annual Economic Reports, NSBA routinely surveys our membership on key issues ranging from health care to credit cards. We are pleased to provide the 2010 NSBA Small Business Technology Survey to provide a glimpse into how small businesses today are using technology. 

Ask the Professor - Cecile Bendavid

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