Cyberslacking’ or abuse of the Internet at workplace is a brand new phenomenon gaining ground among the young and old alike in the City. The Internet is a fast and efficient way to buy and sell, check the latest scores, take a punt or even find a partner. But should one do all this at one’s workplace? That’s the big question.

Does browsing one’s favourite site on say, selling shares, gambling, chatting and paying up telephone bills hamper one’s productivity and bring down the company’s profits? While cyberslackers think it’s ok to use the Internet for their own work, companies think these activities are time wasters.

“I usually use the Internet to make online payment of bills, railway, flight bookings. Buying and selling shares is one of my favourite pastimes in office. Then gaming, chatting and sending out emails to friends and acquaintances are some of the other things I use the Internet for in the office,” says an employee working with a call centre.

He thinks it’s fine to use the Internet to get one’s work done as long as the company’s deadlines are met.

Chetan, a cartoonist also shares the same view. “I finish my work and submit it to the company on time. I take up work other than the office work only when I am free, so there is no confusion.”

There’s another school of thought that argues that cyberslacking might be good as well. Employers might find that their staff are better informed about various things or are a little bit more relaxed. It gives them enough time to take a break and get back to tasks more refreshed.

Nakhul Shenoy, a corporate entertainer doesn’t think cyberslacking affects productivity as people are professional enough to give importance to their work and deadlines. As a matter of fact being able to connect to colleagues and friends, many a times helps, he says.

“Perhaps, people who are not used to the Internet, will have an urge to do a lot of surfing, chatting etc. But the experienced people who have been around for a long time in the industry have gotten over this urge, and use the facility to further their work and for learning from others,” observes Nakhul.

No one will deny that socialising at work to a certain degree is useful and is beneficial, but it all boils down to the amount of time you spend doing it.

Sanaj Natarajan, a marketing communications professional, says no one spends eight hours a day working continuously. So taking a break for one or two hours to chat or browse the Internet for some other work does not matter. “The cubicles in our office are positioned in such a way that they’re open and face each other. So there’s no way you can surf the net. Internet is a form of unwinding, it depends on how much time you spend on unwinding,” says Sanaj.

Cyberslacking doesn’t go down well with the managements of most companies. Measures are taken to prevent the employees from misusing the Internet at workplace. Sumit Rathor, the CEO of Rathor Associates says cyberslacking is a strict no, in their company. He says it's not just a question of employees meeting deadlines — the distraction certainly is a big drain on productive time. It's almost like an addiction that grows.

“We have clear rules on Internet usage and that extends to restrictions on personal mail and networking sites.

The big challenge we have is drawing the line between constructive time on the net and what I call `binge surfing’. We also realise that for the younger generation it is imperative to allow net access; we just need to moderate it so that it does not cut into work time. What we do is allot a time in the afternoon when this can be done,” explains Sumit Rathor. 

The Cyber Crime wing of the police department say they aren’t empowered to take any action and monitor what’s happening in a private company. The police say that it is for every company to take measures to prevent their employees from misusing the Internet. “If a written complaint is lodged with the police, we could help trace the whereabouts of the employee who has played any mischief.  Every company must have a password and provide limited Internet access,” observes Hari Singh, Deputy superintendent of police, Cyber Crime.