A report by the Daily Mail revealed an Australian study found surfing the internet for fun during office hours actually increased employees productivity by nine per cent.
Study author Mr Coker said surfing the net helps workers to rest their brains
Study author Brent Coker, from the University of Melbourne said ‘workplace internet leisure browsing,’ or WILB (Workplace Internet Leisure Browsing), helped to sharpen workers’ concentration.
‘People need to zone out for a bit to get back their concentration,’ he said.
‘Short and unobtrusive breaks, such as a quick surf of the internet, enables the mind to rest itself, leading to a higher total net concentration for a days’ work, and as a result, increased productivity.’
According to the study of 300 workers, 70 per cent of people who go online at work engage in WILB. Among the most popular activities are reading online news website, playing online games and watching videos on YouTube.
‘Firms spend millions on software to block their employees from watching videos, using social networking sites or shopping online under the pretence that it costs millions in lost productivity,’ said Mr Coker.
‘That’s not always the case.’
However, Coker said the study looked at people who browsed in moderation, or were online for less than 20 per cent of their total time in the office.
‘Those who behave with Internet addiction tendencies will have a lower productivity than those without,’ he said.
Chic Le Geek 
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