Forsaking work for facebook
Study finds 60 percent State sector employees waste
at least two hours browsing social media sites every day:
by Manjula Fernando
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algoog.com |
The mobile internet users in Sri Lanka, a country which has more
mobile phones than its population, is booming. Although it is a positive
development it could have a negative impact on the country's economy.
A recent survey by the Government and Provicnical Government Trade
Union Federation revealed that over 60 percent of State sector employees
waste at least two hours a day browsing facebook. This revelation would
certainly grab the attention of the private sector as well.
Lethargy
The State sector is always being blamed for lethargy and
inefficiency. Until recently, many State sector offices did not offer
free internet access to employees, let alone a large number of the
workforce being computer savvy. But of late computerisation of work
places and the introduction and popularisation of social media networks
such as facebook, twitter, google +, Instagram have created a whole new
generation of web surfers in the public sector.
The stay in touch applications such as viber, skype, whats app too
are increasingly becoming popular among the young and old alike.
Therefore, the misuse of the internet during work hours is an issue
that needs to be addressed.
The country's private sector, however, is not as liberal as the State
sector.
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online-educa.com |
It keeps a close watch on the use of internet and social media by
employees during work hours. Certain offices have blocked access to
facebook and other social media sites during office hours.
The research, which monitored 350 public sector organisations during
a period of three months, revealed State sector employees visit social
media sites via their mobile phones and waste over two hours per day
chatting via these sites.
The study had covered the primary, secodnary and staff grade in the
public sector.
According to 'Key Social Indicators' of the 2014 Annual Report of the
Central Bank, there are 120 mobile phones for every 100 persons in Sri
Lanka, whereas Internet penetration is 16.4 for every 100 persons.
The use of mobile internet increased to 85.8 percent during 2014. Sri
Lankans seem to be rapidly exposed to the cyber world with no safety
measures. The employers should focus on target oriented work shifts for
employees to increase productivity than paying heed to short term
measures.
Giving orientation on ethical and responsible use of the web, be it
for entertainment, KIT, or social interaction, is another way of
addressing the addiction.
However, opinion is divided on whether social media access should be
blocked within workplaces or employers should monitor social media
profiles of the employees.
The TIME magazine says it is counterproductive for employers to keep
tab on every social media interaction of their employees.
"By looking over workers' shoulders, corporates could stifle
creativity a vital trait that benefits a business. As innovation becomes
increasingly necessary in a hyper-competitive business landscape, this
factor can be crucial for corporate success.
The Wall Street Journal, however, disputes this fact. It
says,"Management has a right and responsibility to monitor how employees
use social media at all times", adding, that their actions can bring
workplace tensions and complaints or even lawsuits.
Assignments
Countries in the developed world use the internet as an effective
mode to promote working from home. Netherlands introduced the flexible
work Act on January 1 this year establishing working from home a right.
Some employers, in fact encourage and prefer their employees to take
up working from home assignments to slash expenses.
They use modern cloud computing services to connect with their
employees at home.
In a digital era when the world is fast moving in one direction, Sri
lanka should not be treading the opposite direction.
It is a ridiculous to say workers must be monitored constantly and
the use of internet should be barred completely in the office.
The internet, should be tapped as a tool to advance workplace
productivity.
It is a good tool for networking and communicating with clients and
partners.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said Sri Lanka could be the first
country to get views expressed on social media to contribute to drafting
a new constitution.
This momentum must be kept. If the state sector bans the use of
intenet during office hours, the government should also re-think
declaring free Wi-Fi zones in public places.
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