InformationWeek
Defining The Business Value Of Technology
February 7, 2000
Behind The Numbers:Web Surfers Beware: Someone's Watching
Considering that during an average week most employees spend up to three hours of work time using the Web for personal reasons, the call for regulation is arguably justified. But it certainly won't win any popularity contests.
Despite the need for management, most companies haven't formalized their policies about work-related Internet use. A majority of companies ask their employees for little more than compliance to a formal usage policy. However, for a growing number of businesses this just isn't enough. There's increasing sentiment among executives that a more hands-on approach to Web management is needed.
Although surveillance within the workplace can be a sticky topic, businesses are turning to such activity in order to understand Web use during work hours more effectively. According to survey participants, 34% of companies have already deployed such a program. And more businesses are expected to follow suit. Dataquest expects Web surveillance in the workplace to jump from 34% in 1999 to 66% by 2001.
Will employees consider such monitoring a violation of privacy? To keep the backlash to a minimum, companies will have to communicate clearly why such monitoring is taking place.
For most employees, Internet monitoring by their employers won't cause too much concern. Few workers act inappropriately when surfing the Web. Only 5% of employees choose to put their careers in jeopardy by visiting dubious Web sites while at work. Still, most managers probably realize that there ought to be limits to such surveillance. The end doesn't always justify the means.
Is your business considering surveillance software to understand Internet use at your company? Let us know at the E-mail address below.
s more employees take to the Web on company time, the need for monitoring Internet access in the workplace becomes a business concern. When the consulting firm Dataquest, a unit of Gartner Group, asked 200 U.S. business executives recently whether Internet use should be monitored at their companies, a resounding 82% said yes.
Helen D'Antoni
Own the data behind InformationWeek Research. See our available reports at informationweek.com/reports
Research Manager
hdantoni@cmp.com
This week in Behind The Numbers:
| Rules To Surf By | Hands-On Monitoring | Surfing For Success | Complex Management Issues |
Rules To Surf By
Few companies today are willing to let their employees use their own discretion when deciding what is appropriate behavior when surfing the Internet on company time. For a majority of companies participating in the Dataquest study, governing online activity isn't strictly a technical matter--it also entails implementing a list of rules for their employees to abide by. However, not all businesses believe that establishing the boundaries of online activity in the workplace is necessary. One out of every three business executives participating in the Dataquest survey reported that a formal policy regarding Internet use has yet to be implemented at their companies. |
Hands-On Monitoring
For some companies, creating a formal policy that dictates conduct online just isn't enough to control work-related Internet access effectively. Although still in the minority, such businesses are looking for a more hands-on approach to Internet management. For these businesses, surveillance software appears to be the key solution. In all, 34% of companies use such software today, and another 32% are expected to follow their example during the next two years. But not all companies like the idea of using surveillance software to oversee their employees. Almost one-third of the executives surveyed say their companies have no means of electronically monitoring employees' Web use during working hours. |
Surfing For Success
There might be an unexpected company benefit to monitoring employee Internet access--and it's not red-flagging policy violators before trouble hits. Instead, watching employees' Web-surfing habits could set off a warning bell regarding the possible loss of a valuable team member. Interestingly, job-search sites are the second most-frequently visited Web sites by employees surfing on company time, trailing only news sites. In this tight job market, quick identification of increased visits to such locations just might help prevent a company loss before a resignation letter is even drafted. You might even want to share such data with your compensation analysts. |
Complex Management Issues
Tempted to visit that dubious Web site during work hours? You might want to think twice--because if you do choose to view the site, you might be headed for disciplinary action. Companies are beginning to understand the potential implications of inappropriate Internet behavior in the workplace. According to executives participating in the Dataquest survey, 44% of companies have already taken disciplinary action against employees who have abused their Internet privileges. But issues sometimes aren't so clear-cut. It's not difficult to imagine a nightmarish scenario in which a fellow employee uses your computer to visit a banned Web site. How would you explain it to your supervisor? Such matters are yet to be resolved. |
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