Bosses recommended to allow web freedom

Personal use of work computers should be considered carefully by employers, a management expert has said.

It is important that bosses strike a balance between allowing their employees web freedom and ensuring high levels of productivity are maintained, Networked Learning Executive at the Cranfield School of Management, Toby Thompson, remarked.

Mr Thompson suggested that rules about using social-networking sites such as Facebook can determine whether a workplace is relaxed and enjoyable or simply a 'dismal grind'.

'It would be costly to lose a valuable employee to a draconian rule that forbade Facebook access, in the same way it would be managerially inept to reward poor performance with a lavish tolerance of inappropriate web browsing,' he stated.

In fact, it was recently found by PopCap Games that 57% of workers now prefer taking an e-break rather than a tea break in the office.