ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2006 > August > 17 > Entry
IM at work: Tool or Distraction?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Recently, I have been wondering if Instant Messaging (IM) has a place in the workplace.
Having seen a friend’s teenage son become completely obsessed with IM to the point that he can’t carry on a conversation without looking at his phone and keying in responses,
I began to wonder about IM’s effects on employee performance. Workers usually have direct internet access on their desktop and IM programs abound, so what happens when an employee is addicted to IM?
For example, an employee complains about not being able to finish assigned tasks but others tell you that this person is constantly instant messaging friends, family and co-workers throughout the day.
Ever had this scenario in your office? Typically, detail-oriented people make more mistakes and take more time on tasks when IM distracts them.
Some say that IM is the salvation of the workplace.
Employees can IM each other and avoid trips to other’s desks, walks to other parts of the building and distracting phone calls.
IM can even be considered more efficient than email. I say on the other hand, IM can be a total distraction that can be difficult to control - an untreated addiction.
How can you find out just how much time an employee is involved in IM or who they are instant messaging?
Is it any of your business as a co-worker or supervisor? Are there policies in your workplace about personal phone calls? How about IM use?
I don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade but I think the values of IM in the workplace are outweighed by the amount of down-time and distraction.
Am I living in the stone age or does anyone else see this as a problem?
Comments
By First time
August 17, 2006 08:30 AM | Link to this
I would say it dependes on the job. I worked in IT for years and if you are working technical support (taking incoming phone calls) IM can really help you get some quick answers without having to put someone on hold constantly. I can see where this would be helpful in other industries as well.
Access can be blocked so that the IM can only be used in-office and this would cut down on abuse of the system.
By ROFL Boi
August 17, 2006 09:07 AM | Link to this
My advice to all aim addicts is to have a seperate work screen name from their personal name. That way, you only use it professionally. Don’t add in ALL your pals. It won’t distract you that way!
By Ron
August 17, 2006 10:23 AM | Link to this
Personally I find the use of emails to be time consuming and a slow process. The use of IM’s make it more conversational and timely. The problem does not lie with the technology, but the non-productive employee. An employee that comes to work to work won’t abuse the tools given to him or her. However, the employee that views the work place as an interruption to or an extension of his/her social hour will do everything possible not to work effectively. They’ll plan their evenings, talk about last evening, etc. It rests with leadership to set the tone of what is and isn’t acceptable. Do not continue to allow the abuse. First set the rules, publish them, see that all are complying, and reprimand those that do not. If you turn a blind eye to the situation, it will get worse and ultimately destroy the motivation of your good employees. We must remember it is work, and not everything as employees do we get to control. There are rules and expectations we must live up to. If we don’t… either the tools or the job go away.
By Amy
August 17, 2006 10:33 AM | Link to this
I use IM at work most days but not for work purposes. Its a great way to take care of personal business, such as coordinating my wedding details and making lunch plans, without having to pick up my phone. I can ask a question and continuing working while I get my response. It also keeps me sane. 9 hours in an office with no windows might drive one crazy. I try not to carry on lengthy discussions with someone. Usually I just shoot my fiance a message..”hey..don’t forget about this..” or send one of my bridesmaids a message “you will need to do this”… It’s a lifesaver. I don’t have to try and cram a bunch of phone calls in after work trying to get everything together.
By GenXDen
August 17, 2006 10:41 AM | Link to this
It seems that this boils down to a basic work ethic problem. If someone has a poor work ethic then their performance is going to sub-par no matter what distractions may exist. I’ve known individuals, much like the first respondent, who utilize IM as an effective tool to accomplish daily work-related tasks. I’ve also known individuals, however, that cannot be bothered to actually accomplish much while at work because of the distractions.
I believe that the subject of IM should be treated in much the same way as one would approach a “personal phone call” policy. As such, it would be the Supervisor’s or Manager’s right to crack down should abuse become rampant and prohibit a positive work flow.
By mike
August 17, 2006 12:24 PM | Link to this
We use office communicator now and you can only use it to speak to people in the office. I have all outside access blocked. So if implemented correctly it’s really make life easier.
By Cletus Snow
August 17, 2006 12:25 PM | Link to this
Almost all companies have policies about personal phone or IM use.Excessive personal use on company time would and should be cause for dismissal.
By beckbot3000
August 17, 2006 01:35 PM | Link to this
I agree with Ron and GenXDen. The problem is not AIM, but with the worker’s ethics. A good employee should know how to balance their work time and chat time. I use my AIM at work for work AND play, but I’d like to think I have a handle on my workload and how much I can talk to friends on AIM. If I did work somewhere that was automatically suspicious of my judgement and use of AIM, I would prolly not want to work there.
By WB3
August 17, 2006 01:36 PM | Link to this
Definitly a good thing!
Better/faster communication with co-workers in various locations
And I could probably make the argument, if i had the time to sit, think and develop one, that it reduces personal phone calls, etc too.
By Chelsea
August 17, 2006 01:51 PM | Link to this
As a manager, I have mixed feelings about instant messenging. It is a valuable tool but that depends on employee usage. One of my former staffers was on it all day and I gave her a verbal warning which made her tone it down. I see another one of my team members using it now and then and I know it’s almost always for business. I would rather he IM international clients, as opposed to constantly calling them!
You just have to watch your employee’s habits and trust them.
By MUFFIN
August 17, 2006 02:31 PM | Link to this
we have an inter-office IM system that works pretty good. we all know who is at their desk, away from their desk, etc. and the support staff is able to message each other when they are leaving the office for short periods of time just to make sure we’re not all taking a break at the same time. Ironically enough, most people in our office IM each other about the boss’s lack of enforcement of the the rules of the office and how he can’t control his employees. HA HA Anyone have any good points of reference on how to get a boss to take control of his office?? He wouldn’t know if we were sitting here IM’ing all day long and getting nothing done. Pathetic.
By Rod
August 17, 2006 03:19 PM | Link to this
I think the same people who waste work time by IM’ing friends are the same ones who read the AJC online and blog comments in forums like this one. Oops, gotta go!
By abc
August 18, 2006 09:54 AM | Link to this
As one tasked to periodically audit IM and email traffic, I can say that 99.9% of corporate IM traffic is personal, a time waster, and provides WAY TMI about folks… stuff I’d rather not know! Of course, people claim that it’s a critical work resource, but that’s just hot air.
By Honey
August 18, 2006 12:53 PM | Link to this
If you disagree with IM, that’s only because you don’t have any friends or anyone to chat with; however this keeps you from being on the phone/cell. Most people in Atlanta are not from here, so to have an occasional chat is not going to interfere with most work. It does keep you SANE ~most people only get a 30 minute lunch without a bathroom break~~ Get A Life ~Start IM….
By Silver
August 23, 2006 03:17 PM | Link to this
My boss used IM almost exclusively to talk to the employees. We hated it because she would abuse it, and us, by chatting about anything and everything that crossed her mind and expected an immediate response… even if we were in the middle of an important deadline. It just made it too easy for her to shoot off a message when she would never have wasted time on an email or heaven forbid a phone conversation! I think it could be a great tool, but in some cases it’s more pain and problem than it’s worth.
By pr ashworth
August 25, 2006 11:26 AM | Link to this
Why do you post some comments and not all. Some are truthful and wise, from the 50 set.
As for the parmedic, my cousin’s husband is a paramedic. Just hade a heat attach and a diabetic - post that if you dare. Not all paramedics get the sweet rewards of life and is is only in his 50’s. What are they going to do ban 50 paramedics? Ajc is biased. face it!!!!!
By pr ashworth
August 25, 2006 11:29 AM | Link to this
who the hell works this thing. I have writen 5 in a week. You don’t even place it or responsed. That is why I don’t subscribe!!!!
By pr ashworth
August 25, 2006 11:31 AM | Link to this
if you are IT. Forget everything that was written. It’s are imporant when your system shuts down. So suck up and be and adult if you know how@
By By ROFL Boi
August 25, 2006 11:48 AM | Link to this
Erm, @ pr ashworth: are you under the influence? This is a post about instant messenger in the office. How did you get paramedic from all of that?
Do you even know how to use a blog?