How to employees justify cyberloafing?
Cyberloafing refers to the act of using the internet for non-work related activities during work hours. Despite the potential negative consequences for both the employee and the employer, it is a common occurrence in the modern workplace. In this essay, we will explore the various ways in which employees justify cyberloafing and the potential impact of these justifications on both the employee and the employer.
A way in which employees justify cyberloafing is through the idea of “work-life balance.” This concept refers to the idea that individuals need to have a balance between their work and personal lives in order to be happy and productive. Many employees believe that taking short breaks throughout the workday to check personal emails, social media, or online news is a necessary part of maintaining this balance (Bergman, et al. “The Role of Work-Life Balance Practices in Job Satisfaction and Well-Being.” Journal of Occupational Health Psychology. Vol. 13, No. 2, April 2008). For example, an employee may justify taking a quick break to check their personal email as a way of de-stressing and re-focusing for the rest of the workday.
Another way in which employees justify cyberloafing is through the idea of “boredom.” Many employees may find their work tasks to be monotonous or unengaging, leading them to seek out more stimulating activities online. For example, an employee who is assigned to data entry tasks all day may justify visiting social media or online news sites as a way of breaking up the monotony of their workday (Chen, et al. “Cyberloafing, Flow, and Performance in the Workplace.” Journal of Business and Technical Communication. Vol. 31, No. 1, January 2017).
A third way in which employees justify cyberloafing is through the idea of “information seeking.” Many employees may justify visiting non-work related websites as a way of gathering information that is relevant to their work or personal lives. For example, an employee may justify visiting a news site to stay informed about current events that may be relevant to their job or personal life (Bergman, et al. “The Role of Work-Life Balance Practices in Job Satisfaction and Well-Being.” Journal of Occupational Health Psychology. Vol. 13, No. 2, April 2008).
The impact of these justifications on both the employee and the employer can be both positive and negative. On one hand, allowing employees to take short breaks to check personal emails or social media can lead to increased job satisfaction and improved work-life balance. On the other hand, excessive cyberloafing can lead to decreased productivity and job dissatisfaction. Employers may also be concerned with the security risks associated with employees visiting non-work related websites, such as the potential for the spread of malware or the sharing of sensitive company information.
Employees justify cyberloafing in various ways such as, “work-life balance,” “boredom,” and “information seeking.” While these justifications may have some positive impacts on employee satisfaction and productivity, employers must also consider the potential negative consequences of cyberloafing and implement strategies to mitigate these risks.
Works Cited:
Bergman, M. J., et al. “The Role of Work-Life Balance Practices in Job Satisfaction and Well-Being.” Journal of Occupational Health Psychology. Vol. 13, No. 2, April 2008, pp. 230–240.
Chen, G., et al. “Cyberloafing, Flow, and Performance in the Workplace.” Journal of Business and Technical Communication. Vol. 31, No. 1, January
