NFIB

Time Bandits
03/ 28/ 2002

Successful small businesses almost always have one thing in common -- the employees work together as a tightly knit team. Employees who waste time on the job waste salary expenses and unravel the overall company morale. Nationwide, billions of dollars are wasted annually by employees who spend time on non-company matters during the work day.

In today's Workshop, contributor Jeffrey Moses lists ways for management to handle employees who waste time while on the job.

Companies should establish written policies stating that excessive time spent on personal or non-company matters during working hours is considered inappropriate, and may result in management discipline, salary deduction, or even dismissal. These policies should be made part of the initial orientation package presented to employees.

While most employees work to the extent of their energies and abilities, some employees may become habituated to "slacking off." Regularly scheduled performance reviews of employees often reveal the evidence of lax work habits. When certain employees are not as productive as they could be, managers should always consider the possibility that the employees are spending a significant part of each work day at non-productive activities. These employees should be directly questioned about their schedules, with notice given that their performance is not up to standard and that their work habits are under question. If the problems persist, appropriate action should be taken.

Perhaps the best and least intrusive way to spot time-wasting employees is through management conversations with other employees. When questioned about the work habits of others in the company, employees should be reminded that the company as a whole suffers when one or more employees is not working up to standard.

Certain workday activities, such as on-the-job Internet, e-mail and phone usage, can be directly monitored by management. Software exists that enables managers to track the amount of time employees spend online, and even to determine web sites visited including the length of each visit. Phone logs are also easy to search for non-company usage. While these methods may be considered invasive by many employees, they can serve to protect the company against serious mismanagement of time and a ptoential increase in costs.

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