With a massive growth in the new users every day adding to the Face Book phenomena, no wonder employers need to get a restrictive as to time spend using this social media during work hours.  Around 43 percent of companies are denying staff access to the site in any form. While others are allowing restricted access depending on whether it is required for job descriptions. I think the recruitment consultant market are an example as they are turning to networking sites to recruit new candidates, but who else is justifying using Facebook during work hours?   

With the addictive type reaction people get with these social network sites, the productivity of workplaces and employees is bound to decrease.  Facebook may become a common  tabled item in the latest scheduled boardroom meetings. This social networking site is becoming of high concern as it costing businesses more than AU$5 billion, according Internet filtering specialist SurfControl

Just think, if one employee spent an hour a day on Facebook, it could cost their business $6,200 a year. If you take 800,000 businesses in Australia, this would  translate to AU$5 billion a year.

Facebook started as a photo-sharing network, but now Facebook users can now invite others into their personal sites to chat and share information. They have added many more features that are keeping people attached to the site and of interest.

7,000 people joined Facebook, in just two days this month, and they chat with a network of mates -- often daily, sometimes hourly. This just gives an example of time being spent during work hours.

Something for employers to really think about....

Here is an article that talks about the growth in Facebook:

http://www.bandt.com.au/news/02/0C050302.asp