To what extent do you think employers should block employee access to online sites, social networking accounts or monitor email?
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26 Comments
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0
DeepAir65
Employers have every right to black access to internet and monitor email - it is a companies resource. It may even be the law in Japan to monitor email or at least store it as that is the first thing the inspectors ask for should they pay a company a visit.
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papasmurfinjapan
I think they have every right to block sites they don't want people looking at during work (especially facebook etc.) and access to freemail.
I'm not too keen on having my email monitored though, even if it is my work address.
0
Speed
A company has 100% right to do these things. A computer at work is the property of the company, to be used for work purposes only. If people want to go to social networking sites or exchange personal messages via email, they should wait till they get home. It's a matter of professionalism by the employee.
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Okinawamike
0%, if they don't like it, don't give me a computer, don't give me the cell phone and damn it! Unblock the porn sites I used to visit.
I mean what the hell am I supposed to do all day, sit around looking at this site?
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happyface
based on experience, blocking social networking sites is just right. its eats up bandwidth and is really not productive for work. i'm not so keep on monitoring the emails though. some things written there are private.
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polypals
If a company thinks blocking is the key to productivity, I would not work there.
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InfiniteDreams
Employers have every right to block access to social networking sites, adult sites, web-based e-mail, etc... Office PCs are not toys and are not designed for personal use.
Not sure about the legality of monitoring the contents of e-mail, since as others have mentioned, there could be a privacy issue. However, some employers would argue that they want to ensure that no confidential information is leaked or communicated to an unauthorised party.
All right... gotta blaze. The boss is looking at my screen!
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nisegaijin
it's up to the company. the company should be doing what is best for its interest and information protection. I am not against access to such sites though. it's ok for employees to do so during free time as long as it doesn't harm the company.
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TokyoHustla
Those who work for me understand that they are here to WORK, not play. The first time someone visits a social networking site, they are relieved of their position and passed back to the recruiter for blacklisting.
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realist
They shouldnbt block anything, and especially they should not read their employees` private email. That is, and should remain, illegal.
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smartacus
TokyoHustla
How is it that you have time to post messages on JT? Shouldn't you be working instead of using your computer for this purpose?
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Jdudeo
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.
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electric2004
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.
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kirakira25
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.
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seesaw
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...!
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Triple888
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.
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Disillusioned
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.
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NotJapanese
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.
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noborito
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....
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Okinawamike
"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?
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TokyoHustla
smartacus, No, I can do whatever I want. The rules apply to the workers, not management.
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Weasel
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.
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nisegaijin
USSA United Socialist States of America - the heaven of inflation and home of Government Motors! Vladimir Ilyich Obama - the greatest leader of all time!
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NotJapanese
Wow you must have the biggest revolving door policy at your office.
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DeepAir65
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
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TokyoHustla
NotJapanese,
That keep wages low. And profits sky high.
Sky high.
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