As a project manager how you handle this situation?
HAWAZIN ABBASICEO/ Project Manager| SMART Leaders SolutionsLincoln, Ne, United States
The studies estimated that web surfing costs U.S. employers more than $50 billion a year in lost productivity. The most common issues researched on non-work-related Internet use are productivity loss, Internet cost, and Internet security issues (Saraç & Çiftçio?lu, 2014). Careless employees present serious threats to their organizations when they fail to follow information security and Internet use policies, and such employees lead to reduced job quality and lost productivity (Donahue & Rahman, 2012). Employers are responsible by law for violations when employees misuse the Internet during work time. Misuse can include harassing other employees or creating an uncomfortable work environment by displaying or e-mailing pornographic material (Grover, 2014). You spent long years in the field working in practice and research. You are responsible as a project manager to handle this situation in one of educational organization. Therefore, you have to find a strategy or technology to ensure employees (e.g. teachers) not waste time by using their mobile devices long time for personal activity (more than 30 minutes) during work hours? Also, you need to protect the organization system from visiting untrusted websites by employees, what your strategy?
HAWAZIN ABBASICEO/ Project Manager| SMART Leaders SolutionsLincoln, Ne, United States
Dr. Sergio,
Very Interesting topic and a great article.” EA delivers value by presenting business and IT leaders with signature-ready recommendations for adjusting policies and projects to achieve target business outcomes that capitalize on relevant business disruptions. During Enterprise Analysis, “GAP Analysis” between current Enterprise Architecture (put in place because of actual strategy) and desirable future Enterprise Architecture (put in place according to future strategy) is the key to finding the needs that define the problem situation to be solved”.
According to the paragraphs above. I need to find a solution to overcome cyberloafing problem in educational organizations. I need to prevent “employees” from waste wok time and keep them focus in their tasks by limit or monitor their mobile devices while on the job (first set a policy and second set the technology). I can apply this policy and technology when they are at specific location, “classroom”,” lab”, etc. but I need to suspend the policy when they be at lunch room or park, etc. Also, I need to protect the organizations system from viruses risks by preventing employees from connect their mobile devices or laptops to the system after working hours. How I can start?
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1 reply by Sergio Luis Conte
Jul 02, 2017 7:44 AM
Sergio Luis Conte
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By understanding that "to prevent “employees” from waste wok time" is a wrong line of thinking. If your organization culture promote this line of thinking then I can not help you because all I did (and I do) is far away of that. For example I have worked with armed forces (urban police) where we include the use of personal cell phone for police officer. So, as I mentioned before and I have written in the paper, you have to analyze your organizational architecture where culture is one of the key components. All the organizational architecture will follow the strategy. The line of thinking you stated will define things like shared values, style, structure. In my humble opinion, the challenge for you is to find people that will be desire to work inside an organization that promote this line of thinking. Obviously because we are human beings we have different point of views, thanks God.
Saving Changes...
HAWAZIN ABBASICEO/ Project Manager| SMART Leaders SolutionsLincoln, Ne, United States
Jun 30, 2017 9:45 PM
Replying to Deepesh Rammoorthy
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Bosses are equally responsible for low morale of employees.... How about "Boss tracking"? The solution is to have a chat with the employees, tell them one on one what's happening and how it's affecting the company's productivity and offer assistance to help them improve " you can then give them a written warning if they don't improve in a certain agreed time frame... Say two months..... After that If the employee still doesn't improve, there's reasonable proof and grounds for dismissal, protecting the company from lawsuit for unfair dismissal.
Employee review by bosses and 360 degree reviews will help solve a lot of the productivity issues..... Bosses need to show employees that they care about their well being.... Empathize and understand why employees are underperforning first.
Please show me stats where bosses have taken reasonable steps to coach, mentor and counsel underperforming employees.
Deepesh,
I need to apply the policy on managers and staff. Employees are likely to react positively to a policy when the policy applies to everyone and there is no difference regarding the power or authority one has, such as staff versus managers. However, when a policy does not appear to be equitable, some employees may feel disgruntled and may become an insider threat to their company because they do not appear to comply with the company’s policy.
Thank you! Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
Jul 01, 2017 10:45 PM
Replying to HAWAZIN ABBASI
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Dr. Sergio,
Very Interesting topic and a great article.” EA delivers value by presenting business and IT leaders with signature-ready recommendations for adjusting policies and projects to achieve target business outcomes that capitalize on relevant business disruptions. During Enterprise Analysis, “GAP Analysis” between current Enterprise Architecture (put in place because of actual strategy) and desirable future Enterprise Architecture (put in place according to future strategy) is the key to finding the needs that define the problem situation to be solved”.
According to the paragraphs above. I need to find a solution to overcome cyberloafing problem in educational organizations. I need to prevent “employees” from waste wok time and keep them focus in their tasks by limit or monitor their mobile devices while on the job (first set a policy and second set the technology). I can apply this policy and technology when they are at specific location, “classroom”,” lab”, etc. but I need to suspend the policy when they be at lunch room or park, etc. Also, I need to protect the organizations system from viruses risks by preventing employees from connect their mobile devices or laptops to the system after working hours. How I can start?
By understanding that "to prevent “employees” from waste wok time" is a wrong line of thinking. If your organization culture promote this line of thinking then I can not help you because all I did (and I do) is far away of that. For example I have worked with armed forces (urban police) where we include the use of personal cell phone for police officer. So, as I mentioned before and I have written in the paper, you have to analyze your organizational architecture where culture is one of the key components. All the organizational architecture will follow the strategy. The line of thinking you stated will define things like shared values, style, structure. In my humble opinion, the challenge for you is to find people that will be desire to work inside an organization that promote this line of thinking. Obviously because we are human beings we have different point of views, thanks God.
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1 reply by HAWAZIN ABBASI
Jul 02, 2017 1:32 PM
HAWAZIN ABBASI
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Dr. Sergio, I understand we are human and everyone has different view regards the same thing. But many studies stated that using mobile devices for personal activity is undesirable behavior (because it brings the employees attention from their work to their mobiles (waste work time), security risks (visiting untrusting websites). We have several companies in USA prohibits employees from bring their phones to the work such FedEx and Apple, it is a company policy. No one left his job because the company prevents them from use their mobile devices during working hours or because the company policy. Employees can use mobile device for personal activity during the break or lunch time. One of companies gave two options to its employees (for study purpose): 1. Employees can do their browsing, chatting by using their mobile devices any time by getting several dollars (fixed amount) from his pay check for each hour. 2. Increase their pay check several dollars but employees cannot use mobile devices during working hours except in break or lunch time. The company reported most employees selected option 2. Employees are coming to work to do their job in the right way and get paid for that, employees suppose are not coming for browsing or chatting or texting, they are coming for doing their job in the right way. Thank you!
Saving Changes...
Drew CraigSr. Agile & Product Coach| VanguardPhiladelphia, Pa, United States
Most of this is the responsibility of the Security team, not the PM. Enterprise Security will instill the necessary architecture to secure its systems. There is restricted access to many internet sites.
I'd be more interested with the loss productivity with smoker breaks. So while those who choose to smoke get unlimited breaks throughout the day, other's should have an opportunity to check social media.
How about social media that is in the realm professional activity - like PM.com. We're in a different age now, like checking the paper or weekly issue of a magazine.
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1 reply by HAWAZIN ABBASI
Jul 02, 2017 1:43 PM
HAWAZIN ABBASI
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Your question related to smoker breaks is interesting but, I know several employees are smokers but they smoke during breaking hours or lunch. I did not see them left the class during the class hours. Thank you!
Saving Changes...
HAWAZIN ABBASICEO/ Project Manager| SMART Leaders SolutionsLincoln, Ne, United States
Jul 02, 2017 7:44 AM
Replying to Sergio Luis Conte
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By understanding that "to prevent “employees” from waste wok time" is a wrong line of thinking. If your organization culture promote this line of thinking then I can not help you because all I did (and I do) is far away of that. For example I have worked with armed forces (urban police) where we include the use of personal cell phone for police officer. So, as I mentioned before and I have written in the paper, you have to analyze your organizational architecture where culture is one of the key components. All the organizational architecture will follow the strategy. The line of thinking you stated will define things like shared values, style, structure. In my humble opinion, the challenge for you is to find people that will be desire to work inside an organization that promote this line of thinking. Obviously because we are human beings we have different point of views, thanks God.
Dr. Sergio, I understand we are human and everyone has different view regards the same thing. But many studies stated that using mobile devices for personal activity is undesirable behavior (because it brings the employees attention from their work to their mobiles (waste work time), security risks (visiting untrusting websites). We have several companies in USA prohibits employees from bring their phones to the work such FedEx and Apple, it is a company policy. No one left his job because the company prevents them from use their mobile devices during working hours or because the company policy. Employees can use mobile device for personal activity during the break or lunch time. One of companies gave two options to its employees (for study purpose): 1. Employees can do their browsing, chatting by using their mobile devices any time by getting several dollars (fixed amount) from his pay check for each hour. 2. Increase their pay check several dollars but employees cannot use mobile devices during working hours except in break or lunch time. The company reported most employees selected option 2. Employees are coming to work to do their job in the right way and get paid for that, employees suppose are not coming for browsing or chatting or texting, they are coming for doing their job in the right way. Thank you!
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2 replies by Adrian Carlogea and Sergio Luis Conte
Jul 02, 2017 4:22 PM
Sergio Luis Conte
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As I mentioned, I can not help you because I am working with top five companies in the world in the last 10 years and those companies hired me exactly to do the opposit you stated. On the other side, you are talking about studies and studies means nothing to me except for those that make prospective, not retrospective. So, good luck.
Jul 02, 2017 9:25 PM
Adrian Carlogea
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I do understand the need to restrict or prohibit the use of mobile phones for security reasons. For instance a company may want to prevent the leak of information regarding a product that is being developed and prohibiting the use of mobile phones can be considered a security measure needed to achieve this goal. I am OK with such a measure as long as security is the only reason.
However when you prohibit the use of mobile phones for productivity reason, slavery is the first word that comes into my mind. The 2nd word is prison.
When someone tells you that your are not allowed to use your mobile phone during work hours because it may affect your productivity it means that the person that tells such a thing simply does not trust you. I would definitely have a big problem working for someone that does not trust me.
As long as an employee performs his/her work very well imposing prison like rules on him for the fear that the he would waste his time during work hours for me is absurd.
Of course when an employee spends too much time on things that are not work related during work hours this would affect his productivity but I believe that organizations should trust their employees and only take measures when the employees breach the trust. Such measures should only target those that have breached the trust and not all the employees.
I have worked as a consultant for several companies and I have never seen such policies in place but I did hear people talking about companies that do have them.
Saving Changes...
HAWAZIN ABBASICEO/ Project Manager| SMART Leaders SolutionsLincoln, Ne, United States
Jul 02, 2017 9:03 AM
Replying to Drew Craig
...
Most of this is the responsibility of the Security team, not the PM. Enterprise Security will instill the necessary architecture to secure its systems. There is restricted access to many internet sites.
I'd be more interested with the loss productivity with smoker breaks. So while those who choose to smoke get unlimited breaks throughout the day, other's should have an opportunity to check social media.
How about social media that is in the realm professional activity - like PM.com. We're in a different age now, like checking the paper or weekly issue of a magazine.
Your question related to smoker breaks is interesting but, I know several employees are smokers but they smoke during breaking hours or lunch. I did not see them left the class during the class hours. Thank you! Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
Jul 02, 2017 1:32 PM
Replying to HAWAZIN ABBASI
...
Dr. Sergio, I understand we are human and everyone has different view regards the same thing. But many studies stated that using mobile devices for personal activity is undesirable behavior (because it brings the employees attention from their work to their mobiles (waste work time), security risks (visiting untrusting websites). We have several companies in USA prohibits employees from bring their phones to the work such FedEx and Apple, it is a company policy. No one left his job because the company prevents them from use their mobile devices during working hours or because the company policy. Employees can use mobile device for personal activity during the break or lunch time. One of companies gave two options to its employees (for study purpose): 1. Employees can do their browsing, chatting by using their mobile devices any time by getting several dollars (fixed amount) from his pay check for each hour. 2. Increase their pay check several dollars but employees cannot use mobile devices during working hours except in break or lunch time. The company reported most employees selected option 2. Employees are coming to work to do their job in the right way and get paid for that, employees suppose are not coming for browsing or chatting or texting, they are coming for doing their job in the right way. Thank you!
As I mentioned, I can not help you because I am working with top five companies in the world in the last 10 years and those companies hired me exactly to do the opposit you stated. On the other side, you are talking about studies and studies means nothing to me except for those that make prospective, not retrospective. So, good luck. Saving Changes...
HAWAZIN ABBASICEO/ Project Manager| SMART Leaders SolutionsLincoln, Ne, United States
Dr. Sergio, I understand we are human and everyone has different view regards the same thing. But many studies stated that using mobile devices for personal activity is undesirable behavior (because it brings the employees attention from their work to their mobiles (waste work time), security risks (visiting untrusting websites). We have several companies in USA prohibits employees from bring their phones to the work such FedEx and Apple, it is a company policy. No one left his job because the company prevents them from use their mobile devices during working hours or because the company policy. Employees can use mobile device for personal activity during the break or lunch time. One of companies gave two options to its employees (for study purpose): 1. Employees can do their browsing, chatting by using their mobile devices any time by getting several dollars (fixed amount) from his pay check for each hour. 2. Increase their pay check several dollars but employees cannot use mobile devices during working hours except in break or lunch time. The company reported most employees selected option 2. Employees are coming to work to do their job in the right way and get paid for that, employees suppose are not coming for browsing or chatting or texting, they are coming for doing their job in the right way. Thank you!
I do understand the need to restrict or prohibit the use of mobile phones for security reasons. For instance a company may want to prevent the leak of information regarding a product that is being developed and prohibiting the use of mobile phones can be considered a security measure needed to achieve this goal. I am OK with such a measure as long as security is the only reason.
However when you prohibit the use of mobile phones for productivity reason, slavery is the first word that comes into my mind. The 2nd word is prison.
When someone tells you that your are not allowed to use your mobile phone during work hours because it may affect your productivity it means that the person that tells such a thing simply does not trust you. I would definitely have a big problem working for someone that does not trust me.
As long as an employee performs his/her work very well imposing prison like rules on him for the fear that the he would waste his time during work hours for me is absurd.
Of course when an employee spends too much time on things that are not work related during work hours this would affect his productivity but I believe that organizations should trust their employees and only take measures when the employees breach the trust. Such measures should only target those that have breached the trust and not all the employees.
I have worked as a consultant for several companies and I have never seen such policies in place but I did hear people talking about companies that do have them. Saving Changes...
