August 26 2010 - Recent research by , the operator
of the UK’s largest network of regional jobsites,
found that more than half of British workers access social media websites while at work. Based on a survey of 1000 employees, the study found
that of those acknowledging use of sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Myspace, one-third report spending more than 30 minutes a day and nearly
6 per cent more than an hour.
The report suggests that the cost to the UK economy could be as much as £14billion in lost productivity,
with SMEs likely to be most adversely affected.
The study found that many respondents were in denial about the negative impact on efficiency. Only 14 per cent admitted to being less productive
as a result and 10 per cent claimed social media had made them more productive. There was widespread resistance to banning use of social media
during working hours, with over two-thirds of respondents (68 per cent) supporting some form of access.
Lee Fayer, managing director of Myjobgroup.co.uk commented:
"Our results clearly show that UK workers are spending increased time whilst at work on social media networks, which, left unchecked, could
have negative repercussions on the productivity of many companies across the country.
"Whilst we’re certainly not kill-joys, people spending over an hour per day in work time on the likes of Facebook and Twitter are seriously
hampering companies’ efforts to boost productivity, which is more important than ever given the fragile state of our economy.
"Companies would do well to monitor use of social networking sites during work hours and ensure that their employees are not abusing
their freedom of access to these sites."
