"Cyberslacking" is trimming productivity.(stopping employees using internet for personal use )(Brief Article)

KiplingerForecasts, September, 2005

Half of employees' Internet use isn't work-related, says the American Management Association. That siphons billions from profitability and clogs computer networks, slowing down workers who aren't doing their shopping on the side.

To stem the tide, employers should have a written policy, making sure that employees know what use of the Internet is OK and what isn't during work hours. And firms can purchase monitoring or filtering software. Access can be limited to certain sites, or to certain hours, in the case of non-work sites.

But don't go overboard. Employees who aren't abusing Internet use are often more productive if allowed to take care of some personal business on an ad hoc basis during the day. And Web fluency can help job skills.