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One study found that 97% of male participants and 85% of female participants believed
cyberloafing was acceptable in the workplace (Credit: Getty Images)
The key question is when a short break to reset after a tough task turns into
procrastination. “There’s a fine line between cyberloafing to refresh the mind
and when people are doing it as an escape from the task because they find
the task challenging,” says Sirois.
Andel says we don’t yet know where that line is; she’s certainly qualified to
comment, as her own research shows that cyberloafing can keep
employees happier and mitigate against negative effects of workplace
culture. But she believes it depends on a number of factors, including the
type of organisation, the job and work conditions. Cyberloafing would have
less impact on salaried workers, for example, because they have to complete
their tasks at some point, whereas those paid by the hour would face more
time pressure. “Every minute taken for a cyberloafing break means that they
have less time to actually complete their job tasks,” she says.
“I’ve found those small breaks break up the day and provide me with some
energy that I can then use to work harder and longer over the workday,”
says Andel.
Briefly stepping away from tasks is known as “psychological detachment”, and research
suggests it can help restore workers’ energy throughout the day (Credit: Getty Images)
Sirois says such breaks can help workers return to a task with a new
perspective. “They come back with fresh ideas and are better able to tackle
the task – especially if it’s one that involves a bit of problem-solving or
creative thinking,” she says.
Where does that leave employers? Sirois believes that one of the main
reasons people cyberloaf in the first place is linked to unhappiness. That’s
supported by research from the Wisconsin School of Business, which
shows people are more likely to engage in cyberloafing if they feel their
workplace doesn’t treat them fairly.
Andel’s research also found that cyberloafing can be a release from stress or
bullying. When she studied employees’ reasons for cyberloafing, she found
that three-quarters of those who felt mistreated at work said they
cyberloafed, compared to 61% of those who said they didn’t experience
mistreatment. “Instead of dealing with cyberloafing, employers should also
deal with the problems that are leading to it in the first place,” she says.
“You don’t want to just address the symptoms; you want to address the root
issue.”
Ensuring you have a fair workplace is the goal of any business – but in the
debate over acceptable levels of cyberloafing, it’s even more important. Too
strict, and employees may take their unhappiness out by heading to
Facebook anyway. Too lenient, and some may not be able to resist dawdling.
And until academia decides, individual employers will have to decide what
the “right” amount of cyberloafing is for them.