How The Internet Impacts Employee Productivity

By Author: thomas galvin
Total Articles: 612
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The advent of the Internet has, in many ways, had a positive effect on both small and large businesses. Just consider how the Internet has simplified research—whether it’s a task as complex as researching a competitor’s product or as simple as tracking the shipment of a package. Business owners and managers alike from across the U.S. and the world could come up with an almost endless list of the benefits that the Internet has brought to business.

Yet among all the positive aspects of the Internet, there is one major challenge it has presented—its impact on employee productivity. If every business owner and manager could be absolutely certain that each employee uses the Internet only for work-related purposes each day, this wouldn’t be an issue at all. But let’s face it—employees now have access to an entire “virtual” world right at their fingertips all day long, every day. Is it no wonder that so many employees are tempted to use this access for personal reasons?

Attempting to Solve the Problem with Internet Filtering

Many employers have turned to Internet filtering programs in ...
... an effort to resolve the problem. These software programs block employees’ access to certain websites. While this may have some advantages, it also presents a whole new set of problems. Although it may be possible to block some sites that are undesirable, how does an owner or manager block all problem sites? On the other hand, if Internet filtering is taken to extremes, it’s entirely possible that useful sites—sites that the employee may need to use to accomplish work-related tasks—will be blocked along with the undesirable sites.

Smart phones have further complicated the issue. Since this technology was introduced a few years ago, its popularity has skyrocketed. Chances are that the vast majority of your employees carry smart phones with them to the workplace, and that means that they will still have access to the Internet whether you invest in an Internet filtering program or not! So this is, obviously, not the answer.

Using Employee Evaluation to Encourage Productivity

The most effective tool to encourage your Employee Evaluation is one that has been in use for many years: the employee evaluation. Rather than addressing the negative behavior with a tool like Internet filtering, address your employees’ positive behavior by keeping track of how productive he or she is during the workday. Set goals for your employees and motivate them to accomplish these goals. Evaluate their accomplishments, keep raising your expectations for their performance and, the vast majority of the time, they will live up to your expectations.

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