Business start-ups must 'manage' internet usage

Date: 28th November 2008

Business start-ups are being encouraged to balance company requirements for internet usage with those of employees.

An investigation by IT firm Easynet Connect found that a large number of companies are either implementing a complete ban on personal internet use, or not moderating it at all.

The study found that a third of business start-ups still have no usage policy whatsoever, which could be having an adverse affect on the running of companies.

Chris Stening, managing director of Easynet Connect, commented: "As a rising number of core business applications become web-based, it is important that personal internet use does not compromise the performance.

"A complete ban is not the answer … [as] most [employees] simply want to check their emails or do some online banking."

He added that business start-ups must analyse their web connectivity requirements and generate a policy which compromises neither core online applications nor employees' legitimate web needs.

Another issue for business start-ups is the deadline for self-assessment tax returns, which must be filed online with HM Revenue and Customs by January 31st.