Instant Messaging and visiting social networking sites (i.e. Facebook, Orkut, etc) are a big discussion points at work places. Most work places block these sites to prevent employees from wasting their work productivity. I will focus on instant messaging in this post as this is something that until 1.5 weeks ago was commingled with me working. I would log onto gmail and gchat at the same time that I would log into my work email. This was part of my daily routine. I considered it my window to stay sane and feel connected with friends and family while at work. Then I got the earth shattering news that I can no longer access gchat while at work. I was simply devastated by this. I understand why this needs to be done from a security perspective but I still don’t like it.
Furthermore, I have noticed that my productivity has not been altered with this. I still waste time at work as before but only this time it’s by web surfing and emailing. Heck, I even found myself resorting to using an ancient mode of communication: TELEPHONE. I know, I’m appalled also but desperate means call for desperate measures.
Speaking of emailing, let me just say that it requires more time and effort to email 5 people then it would to chat with 5 people. I would even go as far as saying that chatting allows you to be more productive while at work b/c you can instantaneously vent to others thereby getting rid of the negative energy forces within you and thus being more positive towards work.
I have concluded that instead of blocking these sites, companies really should focus on educating their workforce to not abuse these sites. But wait a minute; this is an impossible task thanks to the idiots who make up majority of corporate America……..sigh!!!
