Internet monitoring - yes or no?

Just google it, loads of stuff out there. But reckon you will open a can of worms.

Maybe a different work atmosphere is required? Guess it depends on the role and if the employee needs to be a self starter or is target driven. If its for example operators in a call centre, then they will have a call centre scheduler program and be very closely monitored.

If its your admin staff, and they are sat all day on Facebook, instead of working, give them a warning, if they continue to flout your companys rules, sack them

But if you have a mutual respect in place, ie will let them surf in breaks, but crack on and work during work time, then prob no need to be draconian. You can normally get a good idea if you have a bad apple by good management, 121's, work targets etc,

That would seem like a fair solution. In fact, I see no reason why the employees should be upset given this open and up-front approach, especially with a well thought-through explanation as to your intended actions.

In my previous company, all the internet activity was monitored by the network administrator if anyone found misusing internet like doing personal work, using Facebook, watching movies, chatting with girls etc. A warning was issued by the company to stop such things else strict action will be taken that could be in shape of unemployment too.

Due to this monitoring and warning many has given up the bad habits and only concentrate on job work.

Yee gads; in my previous life prior to retirement we would all have got the boot. eBay, FB, Gmail, Hotmail Twitter seemed to be where we all were mostly. We actually got in touch with the company responsible for what sites we viewed and we simply asked for the above few to be allowed.

I think (for what its worth), if every single company in the country did this monitoring; either tens of thousands would be laid off or we would need to rethink the entire internet access at work thing. Like that would work.

I'd love to know just how much time (honestly) peeps spend doing their own thing at work on putes.

I guess its down to the profession and how it's managed.

If I was a laborer, then I'll be worked till I drop for pennies. If your a professional like a solicitor or maybe an IT consultant, then you will have to account for ever 30 minutes of your working day as it will be charged out to multiple clients.

So its pretty straight forward to monitor a lot of job roles by simple time management, rather than draconian internet monitoring. If a client gets billed for an extra 60 minutes because you've been on Facebook, they'll soon be on the phone

If you have no idea what your staff are doing, they have no targets to achieve, or don't have to account for any of their time, then guess what they will be doing

It is necessary to use such a device or software in organization to check out the search and workings of every employee individually. In this fast moving age, we have need of work as much as we can. So,my answer is in "YES" to keep a record and maintain work as well.

Well, internet monitoring is good if it is in a firm or business company, school or colleges. So I think it is good idea. But why monitor when you can totally prohibit surfing desired websites. Just ban their IPs.

Banning IP won't resolve the problem.

Hi Materials,

I know I am a bit late in the day on this, we actually offer a product that would allow you to check the network,specific pc's and also users without there being any unrest with the camp. This is not a way of monitoring the internet usage as such or like a 'big brother' effect, if you have a concern that a number of individuals are say 'sending work information off their hotmail accounts' or posting things on twitter that they shouldnt be from a work IP address then we can probably help.
This must be a genuine concern but can appease your concerns without upsetting your staff and invading peoples privacy too.

I would suggest also that you look into your 'staff handbook' regarding IT and misuse of company property to make sure that your concerns are actually noted in there as something that you are forbidden to do.

Thanks