Is Cyberloafing Beneficial to Everyone?
The short answer is yes, in certain situations. Research indicates that as it becomes more difficult for people to separate their work and home lives, the two spheres sometimes overlap and cyberloafing often occurs. As Ivarsson and Larsson (2011) state, its presence in the workplace may be less of a problem than employers tend to think it is. In certain situations, cyberloafing can provide a form of recovery that is beneficial to the employee, and thus to the company.
One of many explanations for personal internet use at work is the argument that it can energize employees and give them a moment to recover from high intensity work. Recovery has numerous positive effects, including increased productivity and the reduction of stress. However, many employers view recovery as an act that should happen outside of the work sphere on the employee’s own time (i.e. weekends or vacations). Problematically, Ivarsson and Larsson (2011) note, the time spent in recovery outside of work is not enough for most people to continue coping with the physical, intellectual, social, emotional, psychic, and aesthetic demands of the work environment.
The authors propose eight situations where personal use of the internet would be beneficial to employees and should be allowed:
(1) When the workload might affect one’s health: Taking a quick break can provide workers with some momentary relief from an intense workload.
(2) During unproductive time or downtime: The times at which there are no tasks to be completed are ideal times for recovery because productivity will not be lost during the break.
(3) As long as daily productivity is satisfactory: If employers can value end results more than hours worked, it is possible to create time for recovery.
(4) To motivate or instigate creativity: It can help break stagnation in jobs that require “creativity, problem-solving, and analytical skills,” as well as allow workers to “return to the effort to solve the problem with renewed vigor” (Ivarsson & Larsson, 2011, p. 75).
(5) If the work allows for multitasking: If the work doesn’t require the employee’s isolated attention to be completed, then cyberloafing can be engaged in simultaneously.
(6) If it does not jeopardize safety: Depending on the responsibility of the employee for others, cyberloafing is beneficial only if it does not cause harm to others.
(7) If coworkers won’t be affected: Cyberloafing should not result in coworkers having their workload increase due to the break.
(8) If it doesn’t affect customers, clients, or patients: Cyberloafing benefits employees who often place client needs above their own well-being.
In the ways discussed above, personal internet use in the workplace can be beneficial in reviving employees’ energy and focus, ultimately fueling productivity and well-being.
One of many explanations for personal internet use at work is the argument that it can energize employees and give them a moment to recover from high intensity work. Recovery has numerous positive effects, including increased productivity and the reduction of stress. However, many employers view recovery as an act that should happen outside of the work sphere on the employee’s own time (i.e. weekends or vacations). Problematically, Ivarsson and Larsson (2011) note, the time spent in recovery outside of work is not enough for most people to continue coping with the physical, intellectual, social, emotional, psychic, and aesthetic demands of the work environment.
The authors propose eight situations where personal use of the internet would be beneficial to employees and should be allowed:
(1) When the workload might affect one’s health: Taking a quick break can provide workers with some momentary relief from an intense workload.
(2) During unproductive time or downtime: The times at which there are no tasks to be completed are ideal times for recovery because productivity will not be lost during the break.
(3) As long as daily productivity is satisfactory: If employers can value end results more than hours worked, it is possible to create time for recovery.
(4) To motivate or instigate creativity: It can help break stagnation in jobs that require “creativity, problem-solving, and analytical skills,” as well as allow workers to “return to the effort to solve the problem with renewed vigor” (Ivarsson & Larsson, 2011, p. 75).
(5) If the work allows for multitasking: If the work doesn’t require the employee’s isolated attention to be completed, then cyberloafing can be engaged in simultaneously.
(6) If it does not jeopardize safety: Depending on the responsibility of the employee for others, cyberloafing is beneficial only if it does not cause harm to others.
(7) If coworkers won’t be affected: Cyberloafing should not result in coworkers having their workload increase due to the break.
(8) If it doesn’t affect customers, clients, or patients: Cyberloafing benefits employees who often place client needs above their own well-being.
In the ways discussed above, personal internet use in the workplace can be beneficial in reviving employees’ energy and focus, ultimately fueling productivity and well-being.