As advances in computer technology continue to change the way we work and play, Internet use on and off the job has become a danger zone for employees and employers. Misuse costs employers millions of dollars in lost productivity and litigation, and it can cost employees their jobs. A survey by the American Management Association revealed that 26 percent of employers fired workers for e-mail misuse. In addition, 2 percent terminated employees for using instant messaging, and another 2 percent for posting offensive blog content from a company machine or, yes, the employee's own computer. Companies struggle with fair Internet use policies knowing that over half of their employees with Web access shop online from the office.
Your Task. Your boss is aware of these numbers and is weighing whether to prohibit all personal use of the Internet at work, including IM, texting, visiting shopping websites, viewing YouTube videos, and viewing and posting to Facebook. How would you justify keeping Internet access open? Alone or as a group, brainstorm arguments for allowing unlimited or partial access to the Web. Also, consider arguments for limiting or disallowing access. If asked, develop your ideas into an e-mail, discussion board post, or blog entry that could sway your boss.