Employers may need to account for some extra online activity this holiday season: employees’ furtive online shopping at work.
A new FindLaw.com survey has found that approximately one in three Americans admit to shopping online while on the clock – and not just during the holidays. Many of those surveyed explained they simply didn’t have time outside of work to do their shopping.
How can employers craft company policy to account for this online shopping trend?
According to FindLaw.com’s newest survey, 35 percent of Americans admit to doing their online shopping while still at work, and for a variety of reasons:
- To keep purchases a secret from family (28%)
- Not enough shopping time outside of work (24%)
- Faster/better Internet connection at work (17%)
Policy on Online Shopping
Some studies have shown that allowing employees more freedom to browse (or maybe shop) at work can increase their productivity. Take that insight with a grain of salt when considering how to restrict your employees’ Internet use. No one policy is universally applicable to every small business, but keep these principles in mind:
Online shopping at work shouldn’t have to be your legal Waterloo, at least not with an experienced business attorney on hand.
Follow FindLaw for Consumers on Google+.
Related Resources:
- Consult with an experienced business attorney about your options (FindLaw)
- Email Internet Policy: Why Your Small Business Needs One (FindLaw’s Free Enterprise)
- Small Biz Efficiency Slowed by Admin Tasks: Survey (FindLaw’s Free Enterprise)
- 3 Tips to Keep Employee Suspensions Legal (FindLaw’s Free Enterprise)
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