Cyberloafing in the Workplace

Abstract

Cyberloafing is employees’ intentional use of Internet technology during work hours for personal purposes. This can include surfing non-work related Internet sites, sending personal emails, online gaming, or social networking. Given the prevalence of cyberloafing and its negative consequences (e.g., reduced productivity, network clogging, security breaches), organizations have responded by implementing Internet use policies, filtering or monitoring Internet activity, and disciplining policy violators. Recently, attention has shifted away from identifying methods to limit cyberloafing to pinpointing the causes of cyberloafing. This emerging research suggests that employees are more likely to cyberloaf when they are treated unfairly, have certain characteristics like external locus of control or higher work status, have positive attitudes toward cyberloafing, or there are norms supporting it. The authors offer directions for future research that include exploring the possibility that cyberloafing can lead to positive outcomes like increased job performance, reduced stress, and work-life balance.

Exploring the Influence of Technology, Lifestyle and Flexible Working Arrangements on Cyber Psychology among Employees at a Malaysian Investment Holding Company

“…Studies have explored the consequences of excessive technology use, including internet and text messaging, on individuals' personalities and behaviors. Internet accessibility has been associated with reduced productivity and less effective interpersonal connections (Henle et al, 2012;Bryce, 2015). During the COVID-19 pandemic, social isolation increased, and technology usage became crucial for staying connected.…”

Örgütlerde Simbiyotik Yaşam: İşbirlikçiler, Sığıntılar ve Asalaklar

“…Sanal aylaklık olarak da ifade edilen sanal kaytarma ise çalışanların sosyal medya, bilgisayar ve internet teknolojilerini mesai/iş saatleri içerisinde gereksiz, eğlence veya bireysel amaçlı, iş dışı kullanmaları ve suistimal etmeleridir (Henle ve Kedarnath, 2012;Örücü ve Yıldız, 2014). Sosyal medyada gezinmek, çevrimiçi yazışmak, mesaj/posta almak ya da göndermek, spor ya da haber sitelerine girmek, internet alışverişi yapmak, müzik dinlemek, film izlemek, kumar oynamak, yetişkin, blog ya da form sitelerine girmek, banka işlemleri yapmak gibi şahsi amaçlı yapılan davranışlar, sanal kaytarma davranışları içerisinde değerlendirilebilir (Blanchard ve Henle, 2008).…”

Cyberloafing among the Civil Servants: Evidence from Malaysia

“…In other words, workers are lack of concentration on works than ever before due to the Internet can be accessed from many devices not only from company"s computer, but also from personal laptop, smartphone, tablet and iPad [2]. Unfortunately, it provides a convenient way for workers to avoid or shirk their work duties and responsibilities by using Internet [3]. Therefore, action to use the internet for the non-work related purpose during working hours, is termed as cyberloafing [4].…”