Has Your Office Banned Google?

LONDON, March 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly three quarters of UK workplaces (74%) restrict their employees' access to the Internet, according to a recent survey by office design company Maris Interiors. 71% of offices surveyed have a filter for pornographic websites, with 52% of employees unable to access social networking sites such as Twitter or Facebook and 48% of employees unable to access their personal email.

YouTube was blocked by 30% of employers, and news websites by 27%. 9% of offices only allow access to certain specific sites, and 4% only allow staff to use the company's intranet - not even allowing search engines such as Google.

Of those employees who have restrictions in their Internet access, 30% claim they say this makes their job more difficult - and 82% say it makes their job more boring! Only 6% of employees surveyed said that they actually think it helps with their productivity at work.

Maris Interiors Chairman Michael Howard said, "It's a difficult decision about blocking websites in the workplace - by doing so you have to balance employees' productivity against their morale. At our company we restrict access to pornographic sites - hopefully this doesn't affect their morale too much!"

    
    NOTES FOR EDITOR

    1. Maris Interiors LLP is the UK's leading specialist in
       workplace design and creation. The company design and create world 
       class working environments for occupiers throughout the UK and 
       continental Europe. Their team of experts have extensive and 
       in-depth knowledge of how good design can substantially improve 
       business performance, save substantial amounts of money and help 
       retain and attract key people.

    2. 260 people participated in the survey, conducted between
       7th - 11th March 2011.

    3. Summary of percentage of employees, by restrictions:

       1.  Any restrictions - 74%
       2.  Pornographic sites - 71%
       3.  Social networking sites - 52%
       4.  Personal email - 48%
       5.  eBay - 48%
       6.  Gaming websites - 44%
       7.  Online dating - 41%
       8.  YouTube - 30%
       9.  Specific list of allowed sites - 9%
       10. Intranet only - 4%


    CONTACT

    For further information please contact:

    ADAM KAY
    MBBS BSc COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
    E adam.kay@maris-interiors.co.uk
    D +44(0)20-7902-1874
    M +44(0)7788-165951