Released on: May 1, 2008, 5:43 am

Press Release Author: Jenna Weekes/Jaluch

Industry: Management

Press Release Summary: HR company Jaluch claims cost to businesses of social
networking sites

Press Release Body: CONSTANT use of social networking websites could be costing
South Coast businesses tens of thousands of pounds.

Ringwood human resources firm Jaluch claims it's constantly hearing from companies
concerned that staff overuse of sites such as Facebook is reducing productivity.

In one extreme recent local case dealt with by Jaluch an employee was logged onto
Facebook for all but half an hour of their working week.

The firm estimates that for a company employing 100 or more people, staff logging
onto social networking sites for just 30 minutes per day in working hours could
amount to tens of thousands of pounds of lost time per year.

Other common misdemeanours include posting compromising photographs of work parties
online and posting inappropriate comments on blog-sites.
Helen Clarke, Managing Director of Jaluch, said: "Facebook is just one of many
social networking sites and, with over eight million users in the UK; it's quite a
force to be reckoned with.

"Some companies, particularly charities, find websites such as this useful in
raising their profile and a good marketing tool, for others it can be a source of
bullying and professional embarrassment.

"Although there are benefits to letting staff manage elements of their personal life
at work, companies should make sure their internet and email policies are robust.
With the right policies in place, employees who spend too much time socialising
online could be disciplined for misconduct - specifically misuse of company time.

"The costs to businesses of overuse of these sites is massive - for a company
employing 100 or more people, just 30 minutes of logging onto the likes of Facebook
per day, could amount to tens of thousands of pounds of lost time per year."

IT usage policies should address what staff can and cannot access while at work and
how long they can be online for. Staff should be well informed of the content of
that policy and of the consequences of non-compliance.


Web Site: http://www.jaluch.co.uk

Contact Details: 3 Victoria Park Place, 706 Wimborne Road, Winton, BH92EG