The Register®

Biting the hand that feeds IT

Workers get into email trouble

Adults treated like adults act like adults...

UK employers are more likely to discipline staff for abusing email than for inappropriate Internet use.

A survey from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development reveals that nearly half of all respondents have disciplined staff for excessive use of email and a quarter have disciplined staff for inappropriate email attachments. But overall, bosses seem more relaxed about staff using technology and more likely to have a quiet word rather than take formal disciplinary action.

Only 15 per cent of employers have taken action against staff for downloading pornography and only 13 per cent have had problems with staff spending too long online.

A third of UK employers say they have had no problems with staff abusing either email or Internet facilities.

Companies seem to be more relaxed even when problems are found. Warnings, formal or informal, are increasing and just over half of companies saying they took no action in at least "some instances".

Most companies do now have clear policies in place for email and Internet use - 92 per cent of respondents have such a policy. In 59 per cent of cases this allows employees to use email and the Internet for work purposes only. A quarter of businesses allow "essential non-work" use too.

The CIPD talked to 356 British companies for the survey. ®

Related stories

Stalkers target victims with email
Emails that come back to haunt
Secretary sacked for cyberlounge abuse

Free report. "Comparing Data Center Batteries, Flywheels, and Ultracapacitors: What is the best energy storage for you?"

Don’t Miss

Warning: roadworksNetbooks and Mini-Laptops

Buyer's Guide They're little and we love 'em. But which ones are best?

SSL covers security embarrassments with EV figleaf

Whitepaper Helping you know scammers from Adam

Emails show journalist rigged Wikipedia's naked shorts

Overstock's Byrne vindicated amidst economic meltdown

Warning StopYours truly, angry mob

Book extract Bringing Nothing To The Party: Cleaning up the net, one satirical vigilante page at a time