Facebook a huge waste of time

A report estimated the possible loss of work productivity of employees using Facebook as up to $5 billion a year.  This number was arrived at on the basis of one employee per workplace, an hour a day, with 800,000 workplaces in Australia.

Of course, the author of the report has a vested interest in saying this.  Internet security firm SurfControl Technology wrote the report, no doubt with a view to emphasising the need for internet monitoring and blocking software, which no doubt it can sell employers.

As well as the timewasting cost, SurfControl also reported a concern that Facebook presented a security exposure:

“Hackers will no doubt be targeting Facebook as an attack mechanism because of (its) popularity and power as a platform,” Dr Cullen said.

“It’s only a matter of time before a security loophole is discovered and exploited.”

However, it does have its supporters.  According to Tammy Tucker from marketing communications agency Haystac:

“Social networking sites like Facebook enable us to connect with our clients, media representatives and our 40 plus staff in our Sydney and Melbourne offices.”

And even SurfControl acknowledge it can have benefits for business:

“A lot of enlightened employers are encouraging socialising as part of the working experience because it makes people want to be at work longer,”

Of course, its not Facebook that is the timewaster, but the employees.  Take Facebook away and you’d find most of those employees inclined to do so would find other ways to waste time at work.