Internet misuse leads to layoffs

A survey by Personnel Today and Internet filtering company Websense has revealed that nearly one in four employers have laid off staff because of Internet misuse. Of those layoffs, 69 percent relate to pornography. More than 500 human resources professionals responded to the survey, and 43 percent reported dealing with cases of Internet misuse every month. Co-workers initiated 40 percent of the complaints, saying they were concerned by the time wasted by colleagues on the Internet. While the majority of dismissals were porn related, other layoffs were for use of chat rooms and discriminatory sites.

"These figures show the problem of Internet and e-mail abuse is widespread," said Sarah Lamont from employment law firm Bevan Ashford. "Employers should be very concerned about it. The time lost is shocking as far as productivity is concerned."

Andrew Swinton reported from London.

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