Blocking social networks can damage employee motivation

Date: 16/07/2010

Many firms block access to web 2.0 applications, such as social networking sites, for security reasons; but new research has shown that doing so could impact negatively on employee motivation.

According to a recent multi-national survey by Clearswift, many firms are starting to realise the importance of social networking in the workplace, with 52 per cent of respondents saying that a web collaboration was vital to the future success of their company.

Many of those polled by Clearswift were aware of the effect banning Facebook and other social networking sites can have on morale, saying that because most people live a large part of their lives online, blocking such sites is detrimental to both employee motivation and productivity.

Richard Turner, Clearswift's chief executive, said that stopping the growth of social networking would be almost impossible and firms needed to confront the issues, such as security problems, that come with it.

Another way of boosting employee motivation without compromising security is to offer sales incentives, according to Helium.

Written by Michael Ewing ADNFCR-2060-ID-19894605-ADNFCR

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Blocking social networks can damage employee motivation

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