Bosses are being urged to not ban popular social networking websites such as Facebook, with officials at the Trades Union Congress (TUC) warning that to do so could be an over reaction.
The TUC states that while employers are fully within their rights to ban their staff from using Facebook it might not be the best course of action. Union officials recommend that workers be trusted with the responsibility of using Facebook during the working day, rather than told they cannot use it at all.
Brendan Barber, general secretary, warns that the problem could be on track to get bigger in the future.
"Simply cracking down on use of new web tools like Facebook is not a sensible solution to a problem," he said.
"It's unreasonable for employers to try to stop their staff from having a life outside work."
To address the issue it has been recommended that employers set out guidelines for using Facebook and such sites at work, which would eliminate "nasty surprises" for bosses and staff alike.
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