The image of workplace Internet misuse is often the one of
an employee in an office environment using a desktop computer to access the Internet
for matters not related to work. The truth is that mobile Internet devices,
such as smart phones and tables, give employees the chance to misuse the
Internet off company property. The most common example of how an employee
mobile internet misuse can affect a company both legally and financially is the
case of a employee using a company provided mobile phone to access the internet
while driving a company vehicle. Common sense tells us that we should not use
mobile phones to access the Internet or send text messages while driving, but
we know that it occurs quite regularly. Employee caused accidents usually
affect companies legally and financially regardless of whether the accidents
occur on company property or off company property.
(http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00873/TH25_THERN_MOBILE_873679f.jpg)
According to the government site Distracted.gov the three
primary laws in North Carolina regarding mobile phone usage are: “Ban on all
cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers (Primary law), Ban on
all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law),
and Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law)”
(http://smallbusiness.chron.com/DM-Resize/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/151/184/87785452.jpg?w=600&h=600&keep_ratio=1)
Mobile Internet devices increase the likelihood of employees
releasing confidential company and customer information often unintentionally.
Mobile phones allow employees to post different types of media online in just a
few seconds. An unauthorized workplace picture, tweet, Facebook post, YouTube
video, or other release of company information through a social media website
could cause extreme damage to a company both legally and financially depending
on the industry and the type of information released.
Websites of interest
I think any use of a cell phone or computer while driving is a huge distractions. I don't text but I do talk while driving. I didn't know that texting/talking was against the law for "novice" drivers. I'm not sure what age a "novice" driver is, so I probably need to look that up.
ReplyDeleteThis is a crazy insight, I did not know either about the novice driver ban. I saw on CNN.com there was a helicopter crash due to a pilot being on his phone. The interesting part was that it was not while he was flying, but when he was doing a preflight check. Even though it seems we all have amazing multi-tasking skills we really should just be focusing on one thing at a time especially when safety is involved. There is not anyone out there that is not susceptible to injury. It is time to slow down and smell the flowers, there is not anything that is that important.
ReplyDeleteIn relation to cell use in the workplace-
ReplyDeleteYes monitoring software and policies can stop desktop internet misuse. But, the use of a personal cell phone can not be monitored.
So I'm thinking that misuse in the workplace will continue to be an issue. Taking timed breaks for personal matters may be a solution opposed to complete ban of non work related technology use.
Phone usage in the workplace is a concern for companies, especially if there are sensitive materials at risk of falling into the wrong hands. Since employers cannot monitor personal devices (as of now) it is interesting to see how they control information access. I would imagine there are strict usage policies by the employers that are briefed to employees as they are hired or as the policies become created. I believe it comes down to the individual employee’s judgment. If they know they are not supposed to be doing something or accessing something on their personal devices then they should flat out not do it. If they make a bad judgment call then they should be disciplined accordingly.
ReplyDeleteKyle White