Social networks have become a bit of a problem for companies haven’t they? It seems that many companies employing a large number of people have had combat a growing problem of their employees spending a lot of time online doing things that are not productive for their company. Latest study to go into this has been done in Australia. According to a Reuters article, an internet security company called SurfControl delved into this problem and found that Facebook users cost their employers about $5 billion a year (1 USD = 1.3 AUD) !

People love being there and telling people what they are doing right now, what their thoughts are right at this second…

It’s so interactive that people just get addicted to watching their Facebook groups all the time.

The study was based on a typical Facebook user, earning average wage, and spending on average an hour online per day. They then calculated the costs of one person in each company spending an hour online every day, instead of working.

SurfControl’s Chairman, Richard Cullen, said banning employees from using Facebook, or being online in general, would probably not be the best way to resolve this problem. Social networks are all about forming relationships, communications and participating in focused groups. This in turn makes people happier and relaxed, and willing to work longer hours.

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