Have you every found yourself checking your emails while at work? Maybe you did a little personal shopping or were just browsing the web. It is unsure, to many, how much time is to much when it comes to personal internet use.
Below are some guidelines that you should follow, when it comes to using the internet for personal purposes at work:
Know the Policy – Most companies have strict policies on Internet use. Take the time to find out if there is a written policy for your company. However, there are companies that do not have a written policy against personal Internet usage yet it is still discouraged.
Even without a company policy you should keep your internet use to a minimum. If your employer continuously finds you surfing the internet he or she is bound to assume you do not have enough work to do. You may leave your boss wondering if your salary is justified. Many companies allow a little personal time on the internet. However you should keep it to a minimum as you are getting paid to complete a job and not check your personal emails.
Many companies also have policies against the sending or forwarding of any off-colored jokes through your work email or to other co workers. This can be a breech of the companies sexual harassment policies and repercussions can occur. Therefore, even if there are no strict Internet policy at your company it is important to remember that it should not be used inappropriately under any circumstances.
We all know when you surf the web you leave an imprint of the places you visited. Additionally, many companies use software to track their employees internet usage. The same thing goes for personal emails that you send from your work computer. You should assume that any email being sent from your work computer may end up in front of someone you did not intend to see it so practice caution when sending your emails. It is important to remember that you can be putting your job at risk by doing a little online shopping or sending the off-colored joke to your list of friends.
It is important to be aware that even if your company does not inform you about monitoring your Internet usages, it does not mean they are not doing it.
6 sigma is a great asset for an business professional to have under their belt. To have a look at an overview of six sigma log onto www.sixsigmaonline.org.