In a survey of 400 regional companies published last month, Web security firm Websense found that 86 per cent of these companies were under pressure from staff, from bosses downward, to allow increased access to Web 2.0 services at work. These services include social networking site Facebook and the video-sharing site YouTube. Many firms gave in to the pressure. Those that did not had to contend with staff resorting to clever ways to get around the ban. Forty-seven per cent of the companies surveyed have had instances where staff breached company computer security policy to access these websites.

It is understandable that institutions like banks and defence organisations which handle sensitive information should apply a blanket ban on sites like Facebook, Twitter and Flickr. But other firms should allow their staff access to such sites. It is a whole new world out there, and employees have to be plugged into this world to stay relevant. Social networks such as Facebook also allow users to interact with potential customers and keep abreast of the latest news.

Companies should trust their staff not to abuse the privilege. Even without the Web 2.0 services, a worker intent on dawdling can spend hours on the phone yakking with friends. Still, sites like Facebook allow users to chat and play games, like Scrabble, with friends and can be absorbing and take up much of an employee's time.