Benefits August 27, 2007

Employers Restrict Workers' Facebook Time

August 27, 2007 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Nearly 45% of employees say their employer bars access to the social networking Web site Facebook, saying their companies see it as productivity hindrance or security concern, a recent survey found.
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According to the survey by security company Sophos, of the 50% of companies that allow access to Facebook, some view it as a valuable networking tool while others are nervous about the possibility of an employee backlash to a ban, CNET News.com reported.

Seven percent of employees say that access to the site is restricted depending on whether the site is required for a particular job.

“I think it’s a growing concern for employers for a number of reasons,” said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos, told CNET.com. “The most pressing concern at the moment is one of productivity…Some people are spending an inordinate amount of time on nonwork-related Web sites.”

In a separate poll by the company, 66% of workers said they are concerned about colleagues sharing information on Facebook.

In terms of security concerns, 41% of Facebook users are willing to divulge personal information to complete strangers.

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