Employers Hate Myspace And Facebook, D-List And Manhunt OK

While social networking sites are all the rage right now, it seems that employers are not too keen on their employees using them on the job. In fact, over 50% of employers restrict access to social networking sites like Myspace and Facebook.

A new study by Barracuda Networks that analyzed the network security precautions it's customers were taking shows that employers are becoming more and more concerned about their networks. Companies are starting to block site likes You Tube and Myspace citing bandwidth and employee productivity concerns. While I can't imagine someone being so careless as to spend hours of their work day watching Johnny McGovern videos or stalking their ex (I can't believe he's already in a "serious" relationship... I mean, I don't care... whatever), I suppose I can understand that employers would prefer that their employees actually get some work done while at work.

Highlights of the Study:

- 50.2% of employers block Myspace, Facebook, or both
- 65% of employers plan on placing web restrictions in 2008
- 21% of employers actively monitor employee internet activity (I wonder what my IT thinks when they see multiple visits to GayGamer.net and Homotron.net every day)
- 72% of employers are concerned about viruses and spyware leaching onto their networks due to emplyee browsing (Maybe they should switch to Macs?)

While the study is far from conclusive (as it only solicited responses from Barracuda customers), it is telling of the changing attitudes of the corporation to the inter-tubes. I honestly think as the younger generation grows into positions of power within companies, we will see more blocking. I've seen these kinds of restrictions first-hand at a previous employer and I gotta say that I can't blame them. Although I did file a complaint because they blocked legitimate news sites simply because they had "gay" in the title (including 365gay) but allowed access to ESPN. This is more an example of the kinks that still need to be worked out of the system, but I wouldn't expect this behavior from your employer to go away anytime soon.

Baracuda Networks Study Shows... [Barracuda Networks]
[via: News.com]