Younger Workers Push Employers for Wider Web Access

In an article for the Associated Press, Martha Irvine discusses new ways that employers are opening up internet access for their employees and why. The traditional employer internet policy dictates that no employee may use company computers for personal use. Companies normally go further and block certain websites such as Twitter, Facebook or ESPN. However, recently there has been a move toward opening up the internet policies to allow for a little bit of flexibility.

Irvine reports that companies are changing their internet policy from one of zero tolerance to one that espouses responsibility. The motivations for opening up the internet to employees are many. Some argue that it helps with morale, others say that it is required in order to attract and maintain an internet reliant, younger generation of workers. Whatever the reasons, employers have found mixed results.

Of course there are many cases of abuse, writes Irvine. However, there are also cases of success. Employers are finding that recruiters are able to use Facebook as a recruiting tool. Other employees, while chatting with friends, might be tossing back and forth business ideas. Lastly, even if an employee uses the internet to allow their mind to escape from the workplace for a few minutes, employers and allowing it just so long as all work is being completed responsibly.

In the context of our HRST class we all know how disabled Jun would be if his employer limited his internet access to only work related sites. In these ever more connected times access to the entire internet is often required to be able to do ones job. Businesses need to find more ways to use these often taboo websites. As Jun has proved time after time, websites such as Twitter can be used as a powerful collaboration tool.

If the job market ever becomes competitive again and talent becomes scarce, it is my opinion that companies will learn to embrace and open internet policy. Companies should preach responsible internet use and measure an employee's performance based on results, not just blanket use of time.

People feel that they need to be connected to their world and allowing an employee to remain in their comfort zone has its perks. As we move forward in the brave new world, employers will learn to help their employees embrace all aspects of the internet. Once restrictive internet policies will be changed to monitor productivity, not just use of time and facilities.