Researchers have found that 65 percent of companies are currently using software to limit or block all Internet access to their employees, a 27 percent increase since the survey was last conducted, in 2001.

What is surprising is that it is not 100 percent as many companies do not think it extreme to enforce a rule that an employee can not use the company’s computer for personal use.

The reason why the significant increase in employer clampdown?  Legal liability. The courts make do distinction between electronic messages and paper messages and if a company gets involved in a lawsuit it is almost a 100 percent certainty that the e-mail activity of employees will be subpoenaed and their history of Internet surfing could be looked at as well.

Inappropriate Web surfing, such as a worker visiting a pornographic site and positioning the monitor in such a way that other employees can see the images, could be the foundation for a sexual harassment suite.

The survey, conducted by McAfee Inc., a software developer whose products can be used to block Web access, also concluded that men spend an average of 2.3 hours per week at Web sites not related to work while women keep their off-topic surfing to only 1.5 hours per week,

While using company time to surf the Web for personal use is similar to stealing paper, pencils, and stamps from the employer, there are some critics that believe fighter policies restricting access can, in themselves, be demoralizing and a drain on productivity – much like eliminating coffee brakes and a lunch hour.

The truth is that Web has become so addictive that 54 person of men said they would rather give up their morning coffee than lose personal Internet time at work – 47 percent of women agreed.

This post is from Attorney Edward A. ("Ted") Bills who can be reached at 719.444.1000 or at  http://www.SpringsAttorney.com.

Attorney Ted Bills has one mission – to fight for the rights of personal injury victims and those who have been devastated by the misconduct of others – he represents clients with an aggressive approach designed to provide SWIFT justice.

Attorney Bills is a member of the American Bar Association, the Colorado Bar Association, the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, and the El Paso County (Colorado Springs) Bar Association. He works in tandem with his clients to provide assertive, business-savvy, legal services that solve problems, reduce delays, and minimize costs.