Employers told ban Facebook and Twitter as half admit using sites at work

EMPLOYMENT consultants say businesses should ban social networking sites because they are time-consuming and adding nothing to the workplace.

Peninsula Ireland chief executive Alan Price said a total ban on Facebook and Twitter should be imposed in the workplace.

With employers working with tight resources during the recession, productivity was crucial, said Mr Price.

Latest research by Peninsula Ireland shows that more than half of office workers admit using social networking sites when they should be working.

It also found that almost seven out of 10 businesses believe the sites are nothing more than a nuisance.

Last year, the employment law consultancy found that some employees were spending over two hours a day on social networking sites.

“If social networking sites are no use to you, ban them,” Mr Price told employers. “We are trying to fight our way through a recession and so businesses need a focused workforce.”

Bosses needed to take a tough stance on the subject of social networking and tell their employees that they would not tolerate the use of these sites during working hours.

“The problem has been around for a while and employers acknowledge the fact they are having a negative impact on their business but do nothing about it,” said Mr Price.

He said employers need to look at their information technology (IT) policies to ensure they clearly state that employees are not to use the websites during working hours.

Bosses also needed to make their staff fully aware of the disciplinary implications should they choose to ignore the policies.

“If businesses are finding the sites are a problem, they need to put a complete ban on their use and have the access to the sites blocked,” he pointed out.

Many businesses had become wise to the problem and had blocked access, but some employees were using mobile phones with advanced capabilities, such as iPhones, to get around the ban, so employers needed to be on guard.

“There is an argument for the use of social networking sites within some industries. However, where there is no advantage to your business, you need to ban them.

“Be firm with staff if they insist on accessing the sites during the working day and show them that this misuse of resources will not be tolerated,” he advised employers.