8 hours at work on festive shopping

WORKERS could spend up to eight hours Christmas shopping online while at work, according to a survey of office workers.

Almost 59% of workers have already started their Christmas shopping and could spend the equivalent of a working day shopping online.

The survey carried out by Peninsula Ireland — the employment law consultancy — found that employees may spend close to eight hours between September and December 24, shopping online during working hours.

More than 2,200 calls from line managers were monitored for the study, which found that 64% of employees plan to do Christmas shopping while at work.

Managing director of Peninsula Ireland Alan Price said it was totally unacceptable that companies are losing up to a whole working day from online shopping.

“Managers have experienced more and more of their employees spending working time internet shopping.

“This obviously causes a problem for businesses as their production levels tend to drop in the run up to Christmas.”

Mr Price said the results of the study indicate that employees think it is fine to steal five or 10 minutes here and there to do a quick shop on the internet.

“A quick five minute browse of the internet may not sound damaging but when it occurs on a regular basis then productivity begins to suffer,” said Mr Price.

Online shoppers are also putting their employers at risk of contracting online viruses which can be costly for employers to fix.

The survey’s conductors said that in order for employers to combat online shopping during work hours, they need to implement an internet usage restriction.

“Employers need to toughen up and monitor internet usage. They need to have policies and procedures in place.

“This will stop temptations for employees and would mean employees can focus solely on their work,” said Mr Price.