To what extent do you think employers should block employee access to online sites, social networking accounts or monitor email?

Wednesday 22nd July, 09:00 AM JST

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Latest 15 of 26 Total Comments Show All

Jdudeo at 09:14 PM JST - 22nd July

My office allows access to social networking sites during lunch hours and we can access YouTube all day, it's quite laid back here and while many architectural firms struggle, we're ALL getting bonuses here this year.
electric2004 at 09:48 PM JST - 22nd July

If it is a good company, 10% of resources should be available for things not directly related to daily business. This way, new things can emerge.
kirakira25 at 09:59 PM JST - 22nd July

My company was great! They said "Please feel free to use our company facilities for personal use anytime you choose. However, please also be aware that we will be watching your every move and reading your private emails anytime we choose and if we find something inappropriate we will take action." They then went on to define what "appropriate" was and that included spending more than 10% of company time doing non-company stuff, adult and offensive sites, etc etc.

As a result - happy workforce who rarely abused the system, and a happy company who trusted their employees. We are not children.
seesaw at 11:26 PM JST - 22nd July

Employers should allow employees to have 'some fun' at work. Like checking personal networking accounts or posting comments on JT..:) All these help us relax and take off the stress of J company's craps...!
Triple888 at 03:21 AM JST - 23rd July

It's out of the question. All such sites should be blocked. Employees aren't paid to go on Facebook and Youtube unless it's part of the job parameters.
Disillusioned at 09:17 AM JST - 23rd July
It's a sad fact that employers have to take such action. The social networking sites have become an addiction to so many people it is quite easy to see how it would effect productivity in so many businesses. If the employer cannot request his staff to refrain from using these sites during business hours then, of course, they should be blocked.
- I would like to see website blocking applied to teenager's mobile phones. One of the schools I worked in had blocking software running on the school's network. It blocked all game sites, social networking sites and shopping sites. It meant the students could only use the PCs for productive exercises instead of wasting time on frivolous pursuits.
NotJapanese at 10:12 AM JST - 23rd July

If you are an adult you should be allowed to do as you wish at work. If it hinders your job performance then be responsible and face the consequences.
noborito at 11:34 AM JST - 23rd July

When companies employees start working normal hours, and are treated better than slaves, then maybe yes. but for many of them, this is their only contact with the outside world. I have several friends that work from 8am to 11pm 5 or 6 days a week. (basically forced by their supervisors) I believe slaves in America didn't work that long. But it's all for the company. (the line they tell me) sad indeed. So why take away their toys.... too....
Okinawamike at 12:33 PM JST - 23rd July

"One of the schools I worked in had blocking software running on the school's network. It blocked all game sites, social networking sites and shopping sites. It meant the students could only use the PCs for productive exercises instead of wasting time on frivolous pursuits".

Funny you should post this. I learned (wanted) to learn to use a computer back in the 80's because of the desire to play a stick figure game on the PC the military provided for me. Before that was, "get that thing out of my office"!

What is a frivolous pursuit when you learn to type, access files and other things alot of adults can't figure out?
TokyoHustla at 03:42 PM JST - 23rd July

smartacus, No, I can do whatever I want. The rules apply to the workers, not management.
Weasel at 10:26 PM JST - 23rd July

Guess if you're that bored at the office where you have that much free time to access non-work related websites, it might be a sign that current job isn't quite a good match for your job skills. I've known people at the office who got fired for visiting these sites too frequently - regardless of their job performance.
nisegaijin at 09:44 AM JST - 24th July

USSA United Socialist States of America - the heaven of inflation and home of Government Motors! Vladimir Ilyich Obama - the greatest leader of all time!
NotJapanese at 09:46 AM JST - 24th July

No, I can do whatever I want. The rules apply to the workers, not management.

Wow you must have the biggest revolving door policy at your office.
DeepAir65 at 10:14 AM JST - 24th July

Not sure about the legality of monitoring the contents of e-mail, since as others have mentioned, there could be a privacy issue

In my experience you are asked to sign a contract or agreement somewhere that says company email is not to be used for private email usage. Most companies will turn a blind eye to occasional usage but they have every right to monitor and control company resources.

After all you can always access your email from your keitei
TokyoHustla at 06:54 AM JST - 27th July

NotJapanese,

That keep wages low. And profits sky high.

Sky high.