A recent Statistics Canada's study has shown about half of all Canadians report using the Internet for personal use at work. Perhaps now is a good time to create a Internet Access Policy (IAP) for your business.

Whether it is misuse of the Internet, excessive personal phone calls or using company computers to write a business plan to develop a business idea they have - an employee that wastes time on the job is a problem. Before you go out firing people, I advise caution.

What does all of this mean for employers and their workers? Quite simply, it means that if the work is not suffering, some leeway is needed for your staff. On the other hand, if the work is not being done properly, or it is backed up, Internet use should be limited like any other personal activity that may impact your staff. If you have an employee whose personal telephone calls take away from their ability to do their job, then you have a problem. The same is true for Internet use...

...A recent court case in New York has resulted in a different take on personal Internet use. According to the judge, personal Internet use should be considered in the same light as other personal activities at work, such as personal phone calls or reading a book.Via the Chronicle Herald

Years ago, I had a client who discovered that an employee had actually been writing a business plan while at work. In fact he spent nearly 80 hours doing so in one month. Initially, the employee was not fired. They had a discussion and the individual was disciplined and notified of the inappropriate activity. Later, the employee was fired for other performance related issues.

Employees are people with family, friends, and activities outside work and anything an employer can do to help encourage a healthy work/life balance is a good thing. Part of that is creating and publishing your own IAP.

By developing your own IAP you will make it clear what is acceptable personal use of company equipment and set clear boundaries on other personal activities at work.