R U lost w/o the WEB

For many workers currently engaged in the workforce, the Web, social media and the internet have been useful additions to our available tools.  For many entering the workforce these days, technology is more than just a ‘tool’ to be used as needed.  In this article from The Denver Post - Young workers lose way without Web - By Martha Irvine – The Associated Press many workers entering the workspace are finding corporate policies regarding internet use and access restrictive.

From the employers’ perspective, these policies accomplish what they are intended – to stop workers from wasting time online.  In some cases, these restrictions are getting in the way of actual work, preventing some workers from performing legitimate internet research.  For others, it’s just inconvenient.  The thin line where all this collides exists between corporate concerns regarding time wasted online, confidentiality breaches and liability for what employees do online versus the employee’s ability to experience the Web, interact with peers via  industry chat groups, and escape, if only briefly, the daily grind of the office.

As the article notes, it is believed that nearly half of all U.S. employers now have a policy regarding social-networking site usage.  With the advent of web-enabled hand-held devices (Blackberry’s, iPhones and other PDA devices) monitoring or enforcing these policies will become even more difficult to enforce.

Being what is typically called a ‘digital immigrant’, I understand the corporate drive to limit our encounters on the Web.  I’m curious though to know what you think about corporate policies regarding internet use.

• Does your company have a policy about internet use during work hours?
• Does your company have a policy regarding text messaging?
• In you opinion, does your company policy restrict internet usage too much?  Text messaging?

Perhaps we can discuss this further in DC.  See you at e4!