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

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.

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.