3/4 of Companies Monitor Employee Web Browsing

Wed May 9, 2007 12:30PM EDT

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Bad news, folks: Your boss is probably watching you read this blog post. A whopping 78 percent of CIOs in a recent poll confessed to installing content filtering or blocking software on their networks or otherwise watching what you do. The good news, I guess, is that you can always say it's work-related, right?

If you're worried about sweaty IT guys looking over your shoulder, the news isn't quite so bad. Most of the "monitoring" seems to be done on an ad hoc basis and as a matter of policy which blocks content or allows for monitoring. Only 14 percent of those queried actually use site filtering software and 4 percent block all web access.

While a shocking 60 percent of executives said "they want to keep their employees from wasting time at work," an even greater number cited genuine issues behind why they need monitoring software. 75 percent want to block inappropriate content (which can land an employer in legal trouble if it falls on eyes that don't want it), and 71 percent block websites to prevent viruses and malware from getting onto the network. Infected websites are possibly the most prevalent way that spyware is distributed today. It's hard to be angry over monitoring when ill-advised browsing can genuinely harm the company.

Is your boss watching where you surf? Do you even know? 

LINK: Majority of tech execs watch employee Web use 

Comments on 3/4 of Companies Monitor Employee Web Browsing

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  • 26 Posted by djanimaequeen on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:44PM EDT Report Abuse

    I bet hfrank9 the small business owner has a company full of unhappy people. I'd sure like to see your employee turnover rate. You think it's stealing because it's your business and your investment and your potential for significant financial gain. But what about that person you underpay? What about the less than adequate and expensive benefits you offer? That's not stealing? And just because someone surfs the internet does not always mean they are unproductive. There are those who are advanced multitaskers and can do the amount of work that the average worker takes an entire day to comlete in half the time. I'll tell you what, If I'm doing the work of three people and not getting paid three times as much, you better believe I'll surf when I want to and work on MY TERMS. If my employer does not like it they can waste their resouces taking action. In the meantime I'll find another company that appreciates my skills and my employer can hire the 3 people needed to replace me. Yeah, sounds productive to me.

  • 27 Posted by beauty.empire on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:04PM EDT Report Abuse

    Micromanagers should burn in heck there is nothing more anoying than somebody breathing over your shoulder and trying to find out what are you doing every minute of your time at the office, believe me if you are one of those morons you will never get the productivity that a happy employee can give to a good company ......NEVER!!! the employee lacks motivation and will never respect you, he may obey but he will never respect you as a person and thats important on the working enviroment (the golden rule) treat as you want to be treated ) even if you are the Boss and you will see the difference.

  • 28 Posted by foberswife on Thu Jul 26, 2007 12:44PM EDT Report Abuse

    I am at work right now but am taking a lunch break, I don't go out for lunch and actually work during my lunch break so when I'm at my desk having my lunch break I check my personal email or news.I am still answering the phone but I take a break from paperwork. I think as long as you aren't online long at work and are getting your work done it should be ok to read the news or pay a bill. It's the people who seem to not get their work done and are caught surfing that hurt it for those who know how to limit themselves. My boss has seen me and doesn't mind,as long as my work is being done. We do have some sites that are blocked but I think that is more for safety especially since I work in a school and we don't want students getting on certain sites.

  • 29 Posted by kingghoul on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:51PM EDT Report Abuse

    As a small business owner myself, I wholeheartedly agree with dchick33, nr_wh, and torri_washington. Our employees are valued. People aren't machines. Keeping these things in mind will help any business be successful. If an employee is not performing, this will become evident. I don't need an internet monitoring system to tell me that. I've found that creating a pleasant work environment, and compensating people fairly, generally leads to more productivity and higher retention.

  • 30 Posted by cutierx69 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:32PM EDT Report Abuse

    I must agree that micro managing is totally uncalled for. I am in the process of finding a new job Because of some of the 'new policies' that have been put in place concerning internet usage. And I can say, and my immediate boss agrees I am one of the best employees in our dept., I am an honest person who has not abused the internet nor have I gone to sites that I should not have been on. In fact I come in early and leave late. I often skip lunch and work right through it so that the company will benefit. But if you take away the little perks that help me get through the day there is no reason I need to continue to work for you! I am an asset, you can continue to spend excess money to retrain a new employee who is probably not half as efficient, or honest as I am.

  • 31 Posted by eyeheartfun on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:57PM EDT Report Abuse

    Can't you just delete all your searches and sites that you visited?

  • 32 Posted by salomonmary on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:01PM EDT Report Abuse

    THIS SYSTEM SUCKS, THERE IS NO PRIVACY ON WORK ___ OFF WORK!!!!

  • 34 Posted by eyeheartfun on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:57PM EDT Report Abuse

    blink_black: Your comment to tillaftfr is so funny. That is kinda nuts. I think employees should be allowed to make telephone calls and surf the web, as long as the employee gets their work done. I feel guilty if I am too unproductive. I like my boss and want him to feel like I am worth the money he pays me - even if it isn't a whole lot, even if I should be getting more because I am a highly qualified individual in my line of work, hmmm. and maybe the fact that I don't get paid enough makes me a little lazy, but still I don't slack tooo much!

  • 35 Posted by mystguy on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:32PM EDT Report Abuse

    Managers should try Management By Objective. If people are getting the work done and done well -- who cares if they goof off? I've seen a LOT of managers surfing the web making purchases, trading stocks, checking box scores, etc. Who's monitoring them? What if there isn't enough work, should people stare at a wall? What about the office gossipers, eaters, phone talkers, etc? They all waste time. Why is this being directed at people who just get news and some legal and non-smutty entertainment online. Happy employees are more productive employees. IT "cops" are a huge waste of money (they're probably playing video games), as are power-craved managers with the time to do this kind of silly monitoring.

  • 36 Posted by monsieurcampeur on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:25PM EDT Report Abuse

    Google "ssh tunnel" and "squid". That's what I started using after the network analyst smilingly showed me how easily he could see what I was browsing even though I was using a proxy server.

  • 37 Posted by charlesxharrison on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:22PM EDT Report Abuse

    I happen to agree about micromanaging. U do too much of it u can loose your best employees becouse some supes or Vice Presidents of Departments let power run to thier heads. I don't like micromanaging at all. It only damages worker's morale.

  • 38 Posted by mystguy on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:32PM EDT Report Abuse

    It takes comments FAR too long to post on these Yahoo boards!! It wastes my time!

  • 39 Posted by russ_knutsen on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:56PM EDT Report Abuse

    The bottom line is: If you are getting your work done and not putting the company in a precarious position (ie. surfing unsavory websites) then it's in the the companies best interest to not get their "panties" in a wad so to speak. A relatively happy employee generally translates to a more productive employee. My boss cuts us a ----- -ton of slack and I believe he is rewarded with increased productivity, a willingness to go above and beyond (weekends/late nights) when it's called for, and loyalty......three things any employer would be thrilled to have.

  • 40 Posted by tan_jm on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:55PM EDT Report Abuse

    As long as you get your job done I do not see a problem with reasonable internet browsing.

  • 41 Posted by sheenaspelman on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:18PM EDT Report Abuse

    I used to work at a place where the internet is almost completely blocked. Only a handful of sites related to banking and housing were not blocked. Not surprisingly, someone quit nearly every month. Not being able to have access to the internet during work, is kind of like blocking your employees off from the world during the day. Of course, we have work to do, but we are humans, NOT robots. I feel that employees will just get burnt out faster and be unhappier at a job with WWW access. I see nothing wrong with surfing the web, especially for employees who don't always have tons of work to do. Sometimes you don't have enough work to do, so its better to surf the web for useful stuff, than sit and look at the wall. Also, the internet gives people a mini-break from the monotony of the job.

  • 42 Posted by mrjkt on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    One would assume that if an employee has access to the internet from their desk, it actually aids in the performance their duties. Why else would it be available? I guess the naysayer here thinks his employees have perfect 100% command of the software they use to perform their work, and never need the assistance they could get online. Maybe I should email him when I have a Microsoft Office application question.

  • 43 Posted by poeticsangel on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:16PM EDT Report Abuse

    I agree with russ there will always be ways to waste time at work most computers have games that do not require net *like solitaire or free cell. or heck most cell phones have games that you can play. You could even doodle/draw or write on a piece of paper. I admit I am at work right now and if they are monitoring me big deal, I work hard I get all my work done accurately and before when its due. This is a down time for my office and I currently have nothing to do. I get no benefits because I only work 35 hours a week and that’s not enough for full time according to this company. There are probably many people like me underpaid, under appreciated and with no work to do that just simply read the news or check email for a break.

  • 44 Posted by roids9091 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    I am a neurosurgeon. Nothing gets me through a tough 9 hour surgury like a good surf around the web. I don't care if the patient dies, I NEED TO READ MY EMAIL!!

  • 45 Posted by msuzak on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:29PM EDT Report Abuse

    I really think that an employer shouldn't bother their employees about web browsing, I gather that an employee will work harder if they are allowed to work in a free environment. Sometimes after a crazy meeting or if I have a lot of crap going on, I like to browse the web, it relaxes me in a sense.

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