Employers More Lenient About Shopping at Work

November 20, 2012 (PLANSPONSOR.com) – Companies are more lenient this year about allowing employees to shop online during business hours.

Only one-third (33%) of chief investment officers (CIOs) interviewed by staffing firm Robert Half Technology said their companies block access to online shopping sites, down from 60% last year. Another 55% said they allow access but monitor activity for excessive use, a jump from 23% in 2011. One in 10 reported that their firms allow unrestricted access.

“Many businesses acknowledge the need for flexibility during the hectic holiday season and allow some online shopping at work, within reason,” said John Reed, senior executive director of Robert Half Technology. The reality, said Reed, is that allowing employees to tackle personal to-do lists at work can help maintain productivity because workers are spared the traffic delays and long lines that accompany holiday crowds.

The survey was conducted by an independent research firm on behalf of Robert Half Technology and is based on telephone interviews with more than 1,400 CIOs from companies across the United States with 100 or more employees.

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