Businesses told they could benefit from Facebook

Employees and businesses alike could reap the benefits of social-networking sites, one firm has suggested.

According to web 2.0 enterprise company WorkLight, it may be useful for organisations to allow their workers to access websites such as Facebook, Bebo and MySpace in the office.

WorkLight's Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy, David Lavenda, noted that professional networking via such sites could help boost business activity.

Such websites are 'highly popular' with internet users, Mr Lavenda noted.

'This makes their use for internal corporate collaboration and professional networking an attractive and viable business tool,' he said.

With the proper security software in place more companies are 'opening up to the use of social networks,' he added.

Mr Lavenda's comments echo those of the Trades Union Congress, which urged firms to allow employees to use the websites in the office.

However, many firms have banned use of such sites during work hours.