Overuse of the Internet for personal matters by employees has always been a problem for companies ever since the advent of the technology. Now studies indicate that persistent Internet use may be a sign of a larger problem that managers may have to treat in the same manner as drug or alcohol addiction, according to Security Strategies Newsletter.

As an aside, I prefer to use the word “obsession” rather than “addiction”, which to me should be limited to products that cause actual physical dependence in a body.

“Surveys reveal that employees view online pornography, visit sport sites, bid on auctions, trade stocks, shop, and send tasteless jokes to co-workers.

“Internet misuse, which includes abuse from those who are ‘addicted’, not only hurts employee job performance, but also increases threats to information security, drains valuable network resources, and opens companies up to potential liability,” says Security Strategies.

The online newsletter reports on a list of possible signs of Internet addiction that Norwich University associate professor Mich Kabay originally developed in 2004. The list of signs could help companies identify problem employees who may or may not be addicted to the Internet.

The signs of Internet addiction or obsession according to Kabay are:

[bul] An increased number of errors and mistakes;

[bul] Lying to co-workers and managers about Internet use;

[bul] A noticeable decline in work performance;

[bul] Preoccupation with the Internet;

[bul] Restlessness, irritability, and anxiety when trying to cut down on Internet use;

[bul] Risking important occupational activities or job opportunities because of excessive Internet use;

[bul] Spending more time than intended online;

[bul] Staying late at work to use the Internet;

[bul] Sudden withdrawal from co-workers and unsuccessful attempts to cut down on use.

One of the resources for treatment available online is the Centre for Online Addiction (www.netaddiction.com), which estimates that employee Internet misuse and abuse costs about $4 billion annually in lost work productivity. The COA has a referral directory and also provides podcasts and publishes a blog where affected individuals can exchange information and offer support. Check out its online self evaluations for Internet addiction and the related cybersexual addiction.

The Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery, which treats patients for Internet Addiction Disorder is another resource you can use, if you have a problem.

He suggests that companies can use a variety of methods to reduce the prevalence of Internet abuse at work, including the publishing of clear Internet-use policies, holding appropriate awareness programmes and training, monitoring Internet use and documenting that use, and consistently enforcing policies.

“On a personal level, managers seeing signs of possible abuse should encourage the affected employees to seek counselling,” says Kabay.

According to the Alexander Hamilton Institute’s Employment Law Resource Centre (www.ahipubs.com) a company’s initial reaction may be to treat addiction as a productivity problem and discipline the employee for spending too much time on the Internet.

A better approach is to refer the employee to an employee assistance programme (EAP). Just as an EAP can help an employee with alcohol or substance abuse, it can help an employee manage Internet use by developing a prevention plan, AHI says.

The organisation says that even if you don’t have employees who fit the description of an “Internet addict” companies should train employees about the proper use of the Internet.

“Go over your policy and explain the negative effects that misuse of the Net can have on the company,” AHI said. “Make sure employees understand that using the Internet improperly will lead to discipline.”

In other words try to be human about the problem rather than simply moving to immediately get rid of the employee. Such a strategy may pay off for the company, which may be able to retain the skills of that employee and also instil more loyalty, not only from the individual but throughout the rest of the organisation.

You will have demonstrated that you do not treat your people as tissues that can be discarded. Contact Ahmed at elamin.ahmed[AT]gmail.com if you have any comments.