The Problem and Solutions of Internet Misuse in The

Workplace
KAAB HAIDER - B1 / 9

Abstract:Internet abuse is widely spread among workplaces for several reasons that lead to a
negative impact on companies and abusers themselves. This essay discusses aspects
related to internet abuse such as the main encouraging factors for this phenomenon
and why employees are strongly engaged with it, and highlights how employers deal
with it to restrict its negative effect on productivity. Finally, suggested guidelines for
both employers and employees to create convenient work environments and sustain
and enhance productivity are given.
The Internet is an essential tool in work to achieve different tasks efficiently.
However, the prevalence of communication technology leading to the emergrce of
Internet abuse among employees was constantly around 37%. The main aspect of
internet misuse was represented by browsing of pornography websites 42%, chatting
with friends online 13% and playing games 12%. These types of abuse result in a
significant decline in productivity of companies around $54 billion annually losses.
Personal habits, easy access to the Internet, excitement are the most important
factors behind abuse during work hours (Griffiths, 2009 in Griffiths, 2010). In order to
restrict and limit deterioration of productivity, companies take serious action by
warning, prevention and terminating their employees who abuse it during work hours
(Adschiew, 2000 cited by Young, 2010).
Internet misuse and addiction is becoming a serious problem in the workplace. The
misuse of the Internet has been called cyber-slacking (Lavoie and Pychyl, 2001). It
seems to be a daily activity for about 25% of workers (Collins, 2000 in Young, 2004).
Adschiew (2000, cited by Young, 2010) finds in a survey of 1.349 workers by the
online analyst firm, 37% of them browsing constantly at work time, 32% browsing a
few times a day and 21% surfed a few times a week. Another survey conducted by the
International Data Corporation shows that 40 per cent of internet usage in workplace
is spent on browsing away from work related purposes as well as 60 per cent of
online shopping made at work hours. Also this survey finds that 91 per cent of
employees admitted that the Internet can be addictive (Snapshot Spy, 2008 in
Griffiths, 2010). The main aspects of internet misuse were represented by usage of
pornography websites 42%, chatting with friends online 13% and playing games 12%.
(Websense, Inc., 2000 in Young, 2004). The inappropriate usage of internet has a
huge negative impact on companies productivity (Stewart, 2000 in Young, 2004).
According to the survey conducted by Telemate Net Software, more than 700
companies included in this study, findings showed that 83% of companies worried

The Problem and Solutions of Internet Misuse in The

Workplace
KAAB HAIDER - B1 / 9
about inappropriate usage of Internet (A Landmark Survey' '2000 in Young, 2004)
consequence to this concern some employees have been terminated, e.g. Xerox fired
40 workers because of browsing pornography and shopping online (Associated press,
2000 in Young, 2004). Young and Case (2009) claim that personal use of internet in the
workplace during work hours leading to reduced job productivity. That is because
internet access costs money either by internet service providers, fees to support service
and cost for hardware, thus an inappropriate usage of the internet will affect its
efficiency negatively because of restriction download.
Internet abuse in the workplace is related to several factors. According to research
conducted in the area of computer mediated communication, cyber circumstances
have strongly provide a convenient environment, thrill and /or recreation (Widlyanto
and Griffiths, 2009 in Griffiths, 2010) which can answer the question as to why
employees engage with internet for personal uses. In a comparison study among the
several theoretical aspects conducted by Lee at el (2005 in Griffiths, 2010), aims to
explain internet abuse at work time. They found that personal habits and easy access
to the information system are the most significant factors. Also Taneja found
significant associations of internet abuse in workplace with social influence, ethic
standards and behavior control (Taneja, 2006 in Griffiths, 2010). While, Lim (2002 in
Griffiths, 2010) says employees rationalize their activity when their employers do not
treat them fairly. According to Griffiths (2010) there are psychological reasons
facilitating misuse in the workplace including: availability and access are strongly
encouraging internet misuse. It is clear that the internet widespread in most
workplace environment gives opportunity to undesirable behaviors that highly
correlated with increased access to these websites. Increase accessibility obviously
leading to increasing uptake and that this leads to an increase problems. Affordability:
the amount of money uses for internet access has become cheaper and cheaper,
furthermore, it is free of charge in a workplace that only costs time and payment for
online costs in some certain activities. Anonymity: the internet provides the
opportunity to hide identity of users minimal the likelihood to be caught by their
employers as well as provides user sense of privately engage.
To overcome internet abuse in the workplace. According to Marchandani and
Motwani (2003 in Griffiths, 2010) employers generally ignore how they can reduce or
limit the action of internet misuse. They also classified this action as a kind of system
risk; thus the information system may be damaged due to inappropriate usage. They
thought harsh punishment can stop system risk and according to deterrence theory
there are four steps to stop or limit this problem. Firstly, deterrence which resembles
policies and guidelines on internet misuse at workplace. Secondly, prevention
including application of locks on computers rooms and passwords to control access.
Thirdly, detection: - this step includes gathering evidence of internet misuse and

The Problem and Solutions of Internet Misuse in The

Workplace
KAAB HAIDER - B1 / 9
identifies abusers. Usually, this strategy applied after security responses such as
suspicious activity reports. Fourthly, remedies: - this step is use of correct
deterioration of internet misuse and punishes the abusers which may include
warning, reprimand and termination of abusers.
The internet is a neutral device. It pushes work achievements forward and the major
advantage of the Internet in the workplace is communication (Wyatt and Phillips,
2005). However, misuse of it by employees leads to the loss of billions of dollars for
several negative impact on companies. In order to restrict and limit effects of internet
abuse Mirchandani and Motwani (in Griffiths, 2010) suggest applying deterrence
theory. They claim that monitoring and blocking have a significant positive impact on
limitation misuse of the Internet in workplace, whereas, detection and punishment as
action of treatment has less impact on solving this problem. It is a great challenge to
prevent use of the internet for personal aspects because it has exciting, convenient and
creative features (Widyanto, and Griffiths, 2009, in Griffiths 2010). Sharma supports
this idea by drawing guidelines for both employees and employers to create a balance
between them for acceptable usage of the internet by create congenial work
circumstances. She suggests allowing use of the internet for personal use during work
hours for limited time, employees have to gain the trust of their manager and they need
a fear-free environment and have some privacy. However, if the Internet is massively
abused there is no protection for privacy at all, as a result termination may occur
(Sharma, 2004).While, at work they have to know their priority is to sustain and
enhance productivity during work hours and they are remunerated for that. Employers
have to establish a clear policy to be followed as guidelines for internet uses that can
create a trusted atmosphere in the workplace (Sharma, 2004).

References:-

Griffiths M. (2010), Professional practice Internet abuse and internet

addiction in the workplace. The Journal of Workplace Learning Vol. 22. pp.
463-472.
Mirchandani, D. and Motwani, J. (2003), Reducing internet abuse in the
workplace, SAM Advanced Management Journal, Vol. 68, pp. 22-7.
Sharma K. (2004), Improving workers productivity and reducing internet
abuse. Journal of Computer Information Systems. PP. 74-78.
Wyatt K. and Phillips G. (2005), Internet use and misuse in the workplace,
Proceedings of OZCHI, Canberra, Australia. November pp. 23 - 25.

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Workplace
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KAAB HAIDER - B1 / 9
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