A Modern Workplace Phenomenon Cyberloafing, Im.DOCXVIP

A Modern Workplace Phenomenon: Cyberloafing, Implications and It’s Place in Labour RelationsProf. Dr. E. ?zkalpProf. Dr. U. Ayd?nResearch Asst. S. TekeliIntroductionThe advent of internet technology has brought with it increased efficiency in accessing information and in communicating with others – both of which are vital objectives (Greenberg, 2005). This technology has revolutionized how business operates and how work is done. It has also opened up a new avenues and opportunities for individuals to misbehave. While the internet has brought about many benefits, such as reducing costs, shortening produced cycle times, facilitating information access and marketing services and products more effectively, its negative effects have also been discussed. Negative effects include employees’ concerns about privacy, loss productivity and organizational liability resulting from employee’s inbound and outbound internet activities (Lim, Teo Loo, 2002). Anandarajan (2002) argued that in addition to being an efficient business tool, the internet provides employees access to the world largest play ground. While most internet users feel that activities such as looking up football scores on the net, or emailing to a friend may take only a couple of seconds, and should not pose a problem in the bigger scheme of things; often the few seconds adds up to hours spelling a problem for the company. Recent studies revealed that 84% of employees sent non work related email, while another 90% surfed the internet for recreational purposes during work hours (V, 1999). These statistics suggest that cyberloafing is indeed prevalent and is a pressing issue for organizations (Lim, 2002). Much of management’s concern stems from the idea that cyberloafing depletes employees’ energy and time, thus detracting them from work.The term cyberslacking or cyberloafing has been used to describe voluntary acts of employees using their companies’ internet access for non work related purposes during working h