I agree with NightFallsGirl. My employees have to sign an agreement limiting what they do "on the clock". While I allow them free acccess to any web sites or programs, they are not allowed to use anything "not work related" for an unreasonable amount of time (which I have lined out in the agreement). I want my employees to be happy and not get bored (which, as you said yourself can affect productivity), but I also need to make sure they get their work done.Quote:
There are internet agree ment contracts is there not??
If so i think you should re read yours b4 doing anything. else bye bye job..
One of the reasons I allow my employees to use chat programs is because it is a good way to stay in contact with our clients. Many of our clients use such programs at home and at the office, which gives them more access to us. All traffic, however, is logged to one of my servers and sifted through with a script to ensure that employees aren't wasting too much of their time chatting. Additionally, any communications with clients are filed away into folders, by client, so that we can not only make sure all communications are kept in case of any sort of lawsuit, but also because clients are charged for the time they communicate with us.
If you feel that you an be more productive by using chat programs (which I doubt, but I don't know you, so anything's possible), talk to your admin. Not only can you plead your case, but he/she can also tell you exactly why they are blocking such traffic. If you get caught using a program such as http-tunnel, you may very well get fired because you are placing the business at risk for viruses, trojans, not to mention infiltration. If you have a problem, go to your admin. Don't try to take it into your own hands because you'll get burned.
AJ
