How Do You Handle Personal Internet Use at Work Without a Server to Block Sites?

Dear Members, could anyone give me a solution for employees using the internet in the office for personal use? Or maybe send some draft of the circular to the employees warning them not to use the Internet (as we have no server to control the access of operating a few internet sites like Orkut, Sharekhan, playing games).

Thank you,

Nalini Raju

Dear Nailini,

Many companies in the market share internet server facilities. You can contact them to avoid personal use of the internet.

Regards,
Kamesh Kumar KHATANA
07838370398

Dear Colleague, you can allocate internet usage time (hours per month) to all employees who have been provided with this facility. Inform these employees through a circular that charges for excess usage shall be recovered. Plan the allocation of time in such a way that the total time is always less than what a person typically uses. This will encourage them to use the available time for company purposes only.

You must have access to a facility on any computer to view the sites visited and the time spent on each site. Keep the ACE Card (provision to allow additional time to any employee) with you.

If you find that despite the circular, an employee is using more time than allotted, deduct the excess amount directly. Let the employees voice their concerns. Bring the facts to the attention of management. This will help in controlling the situation.

Regards, spsadar

Internet Usage Policy for Employees

- You can use the internet only for 2 hours with the permission of HR; otherwise, a heavy fine will be imposed.
- The installation of software is strictly prohibited without the permission of HR.
- Company employees are expected to use the Internet responsibly and productively. Internet access is limited to job-related activities only, and personal use is not permitted.
- Emails sent via the company email system should not contain content that is deemed offensive. This includes, but is not limited to, the use of vulgar or harassing language/images.
- All sites and downloads may be monitored and/or blocked by the company if they are deemed harmful and/or not productive to business.

Unacceptable Use of the Internet by Employees

Unacceptable use of the Internet by employees includes, but is not limited to:
- Access to sites that contain obscene, hateful, unlawful, violent, or otherwise illegal material.
- Stealing, using, or disclosing someone else's password without authorization.
- Downloading, copying, or pirating software and electronic files that are copyrighted or without authorization.
- Sharing confidential material, trade secrets, or proprietary information outside of the organization.
- Hacking into unauthorized websites.
- Sending or posting chain letters, solicitations, or advertisements not related to business purposes or activities.
- Nobody can change passwords of official email IDs.

Dear Nalini, In an organization, there must be a central server to monitor the misuse of the internet or illegal activities by employees. If not, undesirable sites can be blocked even through the firewalls or antivirus software installed on individual computers.

Regards, PS Dhingra

Vigilance & Transformation Management Consultant Dhingra Group of Management & Educational Consultants New Delhi

NaliniRaju wrote: Dear Members, Could anyone provide a solution for employees using the internet in the office for personal use? Or could you send a draft of a circular to warn employees not to use the Internet (as we do not have a server to control access to certain websites like Orkut, Sharekhan, playing games)?

Thank you, NaliniRaju

Thank you for your discussion. However, we do not have a separate IT department or IT employees; we have outsourced our hardware support. Investing in a server is not considered cost-effective at the moment. During discussions with the hardware support team, they mentioned that blocking websites without a server would not be possible.

I would appreciate any assistance on how to proceed with blocking websites.

Thank you,

Nalini.P

Dear Nalini,

The ultimate cost of internet misuse and the opportunity cost (indirect cost) of the time wasted by your company employees playing games or participating in social sites would be much more than the maintenance of a central server. Just conduct a survey of the time wasted by them, try to calculate that cost added with the internet cost, and you will find amazing results. By maintaining a server under the control of a very senior person, you may not need to employ a separate IT manager. Your hardware supply dealer might be able to do the job and make the controller aware of the tricks on how to monitor from time to time.

For more information on this aspect, you may like to read the attached paper.

Regards,
PS Dhingra