It's an economic conundrum. While sales from online retailers are set to hit record-breaking numbers this year, the soaring popularity of online shopping could end up costing employers even more in lost productivity.
Web filtering specialist Bloxx has sounded the alarm, claiming that the sharp growth in shoppers buying Christmas presents online could cost employers around $544M USD a week. (
www.yourpeoplemanager.com)
The Retail Association revealed that online sales reached £10.9bn last year, growing 13 times faster than the overall retail sector. With 46% of online shopping taking place during working hours, Bloxx warned employers to make their stance on internet usage at work clear well before the Christmas period.
Brian Amble of Management-Issues.com assessed the UK market and calculated the cost of productivity loss based on employees earning an average hourly wage of £12.50 spending 30 minutes of work time shopping online.
“UK employers could stand to lose almost a billion pounds a week in lost work time,” according to Amble. “With eight working weeks to go before Christmas, that could amount to almost £7.25 billion in lost time."
"Convenience" is the number one answer you will hear when asking anybody about shopping online. No traffic, no parking places, no lineups.
You can shop when you want to. While at home or while traveling, but what about at work?
"With the addictive nature of online shopping, it can be all too easy for employees to get carried away and end up spending hours online during the working day." Amble maintains that employees need to know what is acceptable and what the consequences could be for breaking the policy.
How to Set an Acceptable Internet Policy
Many companies are considering revisions to their acceptable-use policies for online activities during the holiday season; managers are giving their staff designated time at work to shop online.
Companies using automated time tracking systems may be ahead of the game safeguarding employee productivity during the holiday rush. By allowing every employee the option to enter such designated time into their timesheets companies reaffirm their policies. A gentle reminder that "online shopping at work is a privilege" can go a long way to ensure the policy is adhered to.
Let’s face it. It's a multi-billion dollar industry, and most employees that are given free access to the Internet 8 hours a day are going to take a peak at their wish list items. The manager’s decision is whether employees do it 'on the sly' when nobody is watching, or openly with co-workers, enjoying the camaraderie and social networking that a designated hour each week can bring, until the holidays are upon us in just a few weeks.
Happy Shopping!
