Big brother’s watching you: One in three firms now ban access to social media at work

Bigger firms are way more strict.

If you think your boss or employer doesn’t know you surf, shop or use Facebook at work, you are mistaken.

A survey of Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) and Chief Information Officers (CIOs) in Singapore has revealed the widespread use of company internet bandwidth for a range of non-work related activities.

IT departments in larger firms are also much more likely to restrict their employee’s internet access with more than half (56 per cent) blocking access to shopping and social media sites.

Across all companies surveyed, 35% block access while another 52% allow access and monitor for excessive use.

According to the survey by recruitment firm Robert Half, Singapore employees spend an average of 9.3% of their time doing online shopping, looking up travel sites and keeping in touch with others through social media.

That’s nearly six minutes of every hour, or 45 minutes in an eight-hour work day spent online on personal activities.

Employees at larger firms with more than 1000+ employees are the least likely to be surfing during work time, spending an average of just 6.2 per cent of their time engaged in personal online activity – approximately 30 minutes each day.