I have spent 5 days without internet access because my brother has dominated the ethernet cable for an HSC project and my ancient computer hates all wireless networks. So I've been forced to use my iPhone to do everything I need to do on the internet, which is mostly logging into Facebook and checking twitter. I haven't been able to do any research or write any posts because the iPhone's lack of flash capabilities and most websites that have been customised to be smartphone compatible are almost unusable.
Because of this, I was using the internet (mostly Facebook) at work quite a lot. My boss didn't seem to mind for the first couple of days however, on the third day he did mention that my continual use of the internet at work was affecting my attention to the job I'm paid for. When I was reading Bradwell and Reeves' chapter on economies I was interested to see that 57% of businesses permit their employees to browse social networking sites (SNS) during work hours. These employees see the advantage of the connections that SNS facilitate. SNS are now more important than formal hierarchies and structures in the way information flows through an organisation.
By next week I will have found a way to convince my boss to allow me to use SNS at work because it is somehow beneficial for the companies success.
PS I work as a waitress in a small restaurant
Bradwell, P., and Reeves, R. (2008) Economies. In Networked Citizens (pp. 25-31). London: Demos. [URL: http://www.demos.co.uk/files/Network%20citizens%20-%20web.pdf]
I dont think that there are many people that I know who don't check their SNS accounts during work hours. A friend of mines company block facebook twitter etc accounts during work hours to prevent staff from using them on the work computer they are only accessible during lunch hours where block is lifted.
ReplyDeleteBut I really dont understand how some people sit on Facebook ALL DAY LONG! Surely there isnt enough stuff to stalk their friends about day in day out!
Im interested to know how you manage to waitress and facebook at the same time...
Companies allowing their employees to check their social networks while at work, is just a new way to create a more relaxed workplace in the hopes of increasing productivity.
ReplyDeleteWe're all talking to each other over social networks these days, so to some people, I guess not checking once every hour or two makes them feel detached (not accusing you of this Lauren lol).
People used to be able to go to work and accept that while at work we had very little at our disposal to stay connected to each other. Now however, the latest tweet is available at the press of a button and it's all too tempting.
I suppose our perception of leisure has changed now, because whilst we are at work if we get a short break, we like to check our Facebook page for any updates, instead of having a Kit Kat we are checking Facebook.
ReplyDeleteI also think companies are starting to allow social media networks to be accessible at work as it can speed up communication. As was talked about in the lecture and in some of the readings, we are pulling away from the hierarchical model of communication and into one that is decentralised. Through this co-workers may be able to communicate work projects and ideas straight to each other, whilst being in a seperate side of the building or even somewhere entirely different. With the whole idea of breaking borders, social media networks can provide an additonal channel of communication and one that can be used to the advantage for many companies.
ReplyDeleteImagine two news companies, one that allows social media networks and one that does not. When a huge story breaks I'm sure that company who allows these sites would get the scoop on the story much quicker than that company which does not. They could then quickly organise and act on this story, in the same way as described by Boyd's feedback model, whilst the other news company is still oblivious to what has occured.
Having worked in a small cafe myself, I can relate to your experience. In my workplace, many employees checked their phones regularly for text messages and Facebook notifications, and eventually doing so within work hours was banned as it the practice was seen to interfere with work.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I agree with those of you who are arguing that SNS can be beneficial, I feel this is very contextual. In news companies I agree that social networking sites have become a very useful tool for accessing breaking news, however in a cafe context the practice would distract workers and remove their focus from work.
As for your argument that 'SNS are now more important than formal hierarchies and structures in the way information flows through an organisation', I'm not sure I completely agree. Although I think social networking sites can and definitely may be important for information flow in organisations, a formal structure may allow a clearer and more accurate dissemination of such information. A flatter organisational structure may indeed be more effective than a hierachy, but I'm not sure that Facebook would constitute this in an organisational context. I'd be really interested to hear your thoughts on this?
Ted used the example in the lecture of nokia's failure to bring in the smartphone because of it's inflexible company structure. The long feedback process slowed up their realisation that smartphones were what people wanted so rival companies such as HTC which had much more flexible structures and relied more on feedback gained by different networks thrived. Also, this argument was taken straight from the reading so if you want more info there's more evidence to back up the theory in there.
ReplyDeleteI work for pretty much the largest jewellery company in Australia (Prouds, Angus & Coote, Pascoes, Goldmark) where there is no access to the internet except for emailing other stores, memos etc. Funnily enough email was only introduced about 18months ago when the company felt the effects of the global financial crisis and implemented email to reduce cost on telephone calls between stores. I don't mind not having access to the internet at work but I just find it ridiculous that a multi-million dollar company like this one, only recently has connected to the internet!
ReplyDeleteHaha, I wouldn't be too pleased if my food was late to the table as the waitress was checking her Facebook. But yeah, at slow times of the day/night sure, that's ok. I heard of companies implementing 'Facebook breaks', which work like smoking breaks for employees to get their fix.
ReplyDeleteNot sure if it would be effective though, but I can see both the positive and negative effects of social media to the workforce.
I agree with what someone said earlier about allowing social media sites at work all depends on the context of the job.
ReplyDeleteIn retail or cafe having you mobile in your pocket shouldn't be permitted. These businesses are built on customer service, where they are dealing with their customers face to face and are sometimes the only reason why they shop or drink coffee at one place and not the other down the road.
However an office environment is a little different. I'd say most people are in charge and accountable for their own time management. There are not roster lunch breaks and no clocking on at 9 and closing up shop at 5 on the dot. I'm not sure I agree with blocking FB or having designated time to check your account in the office. Having worked in an office environment myself where i only get off my seat one or twice during the day,eat lunch at my desk and stay back most days, it would annoy me being blocked from certain sites, id feel like a child and untrusted.