Two Sides to the Story
Much has been said and written about the impact of social media on the corporate world. As the use of Facebook and Twitter has surged over the past few years, companies have grappled with how to handle employee access to these and other social networking sites. Most firms have Internet Use and Social Media Policies to guide employee on-line behavior; however, what remains unclear is how employee use of Facebook, Twitter and the like, really impact productivity.
The Pros
Several studies (including a widely cited University of Melbourne study of the use of the internet at work for personal reasons) have concluded that moderate work place use of social networking sites has a positive impact on productivity. A key here is “moderate” usage – clearly, employees spending hours posting updates to their Facebook accounts are not being productive. However, several experts assert that periodic, short breaks not only sharpen concentration when employees return to their task, but also heighten creativity and problem-solving skills. The authors of Creativity and the Mind, a well-regarded book exploring the science of creativity, found that “People are more successful if we force them to move away from a problem or distract them temporarily”.
The Cons
A Robert Half Technology survey found that slightly more than half of firms prohibit the use of social networking sites in the workplace. It seems that many have concluded that workplace social networking is nothing but a waste of time, robbing the firm of paid working minutes. Furthermore, according to a Nucleus Research study, workplaces in which Facebook may be accessed lose about 1.5% of total office productivity. Employers worry not only about social networking diverting the attention of employees, but also about making the firm more vulnerable to spyware, viruses, and potentially the theft of IP.
Given the lack of a clear consensus on the implications on productivity of moderate employee use of social networking sites, it’s no surprise that some firms are embracing the trend and putting it to work for them. For instance, intra-company social networking sites seem to be catching on in some markets. Particularly for firms with more than one office, these sites allow employees to share information (personal and professional), build relationships, brainstorm and gather ideas from new voices in the company. Supporters assert the result to be a more engaged and productive work force.
Triad Engineering Corp has specialized for over 40 years in helping our clients fill their technical staffing needs on a contract, contract-to-direct and direct hire basis. Triad is locally owned and operated, with a large network of qualified engineering professionals throughout New England. Please contact us at 781-273-1880 or visit www.triad-eng.com for more information on how we can help you achieve your technical hiring goals.
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