Office workers 'wasting time on personal emails'

Office workers waste two hours and 20 minutes every day writing personal emails and surfing websites such as Facebook and Twitter, a survey claimed today.

Up to 69% of bosses have disciplined staff for spending too much time online, according to the study by employment law firm Peninsula Ireland.

As many as 92% of Irish workers admitted sending personal emails at work.

The poll was carried out via email and telephone among 1,106 employees and 608 employers in several industries during a two-week period last month.

Peninsula Ireland managing director Alan Price said bosses must set clear staff guidelines on use of internet and email.

“Employers need to get strict and make employees aware that personal emails must not interfere with the working day,” he explained.

“Putting a ban on all personal internet and email usage has been a tactic used by some employers but employees are seemingly ignoring these policies and continuing to use the internet whenever they want.

“If you do choose to allow personal email to be sent, set out rules and guidelines and restrict use to lunch hours and breaks,” added Mr Price.

A Peninsula survey published in September found 69% of a sample of Irish employers have already banned social network sites, such as Facebook.

Experts estimate that the bill for lost work time runs into tens of millions of euro every year.

A spokesman for Peninsula said social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter were among the most popular sites visited, as well as Google and YouTube.

Implementing clear usage policies is a fundamental part of modern business, Peninsula said.

“Employees need to understand that they are getting paid to work and shouldn’t be browsing the web or sending personal email,” said Mr Price.

“Some email content can be considered very offensive and so employees shouldn’t be risking possible disciplinary action on these grounds.

“If employers do have in place any type of restrictions on internet and email usage, employees would be risking disciplinary action and, in some cases, could even risk dismissal.”

Peninsula called for regular checks on employees to ensure they were sticking to company rules.

“Employees need to remember they are being paid to work, not email their friends, and need to understand that they are genuinely risking their job by sending personal email,” added Mr Price.