Does Your Company Block Facebook on Work Computers?
By getbrowser
@getbrowser (1708)
China
October 27, 2009 6:08pm CST
According to a poll, 46% of companies (with 100 employees or more) have blocked Facebook and Twitter. The main worry from companies appears to be that employees will waste time on Facebook.
More businesses are restricting access to these kinds of sites. Employees may not like it, but these websites can represent a security risk if used carelessly. Unless there's a work purpose, many firms do not see any reason why staff should need to access them during work time.
Does your company block Facebook and other popular social network sites on work computers?
If Facebook has been blocked, do you try to find a backdoor to slip in? How to avoid wasting time on Facebook at work?
3 people like this
30 responses
@Fulltank (2882)
• Philippines
27 Oct 09
Yes, most company block social sites such as facebook or twitter. as any other non-company related sites int he internet. Its a policy most of the company's IT's guys are doing. If its not company related matters, then its block. IT are very good of doing it. Once they detected a site that is not for company's business, they intend to block it. My company is doing it and theres nothing wrong with it. I haven't try to find a back entry though, too dangerous and it might cause my job.
@clorissa123 (4926)
• United States
28 Oct 09
Although there are some departments won't be blocked, I won't try to access those social network sites while at work. Because I have to use my username and password to access that computer. And I won't use my co - workers too. I would rather wait until I get home, and do those socializing thing at my private time.
@Lindapoulsen (1)
•
15 Nov 10
In my company facebook is blocked but in specific times, so that i can access to facebook during the breaks. FB Limiter (http://www.facebooklimiter.com)is software that is used for blocking access to facebook.
@deepasubramani (1074)
• India
29 Oct 09
Hi getbrowser,
S most of the companies block, facebook, twitter, or orkut because they dont entertain social networking sites. They have limited access to their incoming mails also. because of spam they do all these. They want there employees to work for the company with wasting there time on these networking sites
@carmelbg (519)
•
30 Oct 09
Our company blocks a lot of sites for some members of staff. I am a manager and can access any website. My teams computers are restricted to view only sites that are relevant to their work and the company intranet. We have computers in the break rooms and canteen which can be used to access personal emails and facebook etc.
@Bluepatch (2476)
• Trinidad And Tobago
28 Oct 09
Nope, but from time to time they get frisky about computer usage in the office. I've been here in the office using mylot for almost the whole day and it won't be a problem until they get frisky again. Its not actually allowed, this kind of fun on the web, but we do get away with it from time to time.
@mariposaman (2959)
• Canada
28 Oct 09
I certainly agree with this practice. The company is paying people for their time to work on company business. If you tried to use a back door to get around it you are just as liable to be fired. Companies routinely track what is going on with their computers so it is hard to fool anyone, you probably won't get away with much for very long.
@zhuhuifen46 (3483)
• China
28 Oct 09
A few years ago, when the stock was booming, a lot of people go onlines for the stock transactions, which naturally affects normal work. Discipline was set to block the stock related sites.
@angelajoy (1825)
• Philippines
28 Oct 09
I can use Facebook at the company I work in. But I don't use it when I have lots of work to do, especially when I have deadlines. The company has already blocked Youtube and Friendster, and I hope that it doesn't block Facebook too because it is one of my stress relievers at work.
@rdsantos (320)
• Philippines
28 Oct 09
as a matter of fact i already implemented on blocking major social networking sites and instant messengers on our workstations. before all websites are viewable in our company, but a few weeks ago my boss ordered me to put restrictions on all social networking sites,that includes facebook even yahoo because of the feature of instant messaging thru yahoomail.the primary reason are stated and for the companies security.
@T1Ajai (9)
• Philippines
28 Oct 09
for me blocking those websites at the office is good. our company also blocks those websites. It's true that employees will waste some of their time doing those stuffs...
@cloudwatcher (6861)
• Australia
28 Oct 09
If I was a company manager, I would certainly block social networking sites, games, etc and if an employee was found doing ANYTHING personal on the work computer, in work hours, he/she would be sacked.
Using a computer for personal purposes during work hours is STEALING. It is firstly stealing TIME for which the employee is being paid and it is also stealing download and adding to the overhead expenses of the company.
@angellyril (249)
• Philippines
28 Oct 09
with my previous employer YES! but their actually providing us a free internet access in our lounge area. =)
@TrvlArrngr (4045)
• United States
28 Oct 09
I work 2 jobs. The one where I have more idle time blocks facebook and mylot! so it forces me to go to other sites to kill time.
@irene3184 (898)
• Philippines
28 Oct 09
Our company does allow us to open Facebook during work because we make use of it as our promotional method to our work but it is still limited.It should be for work purposes only.
