Report: SocMedia robbing UK economy?

Researchers found that UK consumers are tweeting, sharing photos and video clips, making new friends and keeping up with existing friends while at work. They are also updating social networking profiles. According to the study about 2 million UK workers are spending at least 1 hour each day on social networks while at work.

The study also notes:

• 55% of UK's work force access social media at work
• 33% of workers spend at least 30 minutes on social networks
• 6% spend at least an hour on socnets
• 10% of workers claim social networking while at work makes them more productive

"Whilst we're certainly not kill-joys, people spending over an hour per day in work time on the likes of Facebook and Twitter are seriously hampering companies' efforts to boost productivity, which is more important than ever given the fragile state of our economy," said Lee Fayer, Managing Director of MyJobGroup. "Our results clearly show that UK workers are spending increased [work time] on social media networks which, left unchecked, could have negative repercussions on the productivity of many companies across the country."

Interestingly, consumers themselves did advocate for some limiting of social network access with 54% saying that access should be limited to lunch or break times and 31% noting that social networks should be barred from workplace computers. Only about 14% said social media sites should be accessible without monitoring.

The study researchers from Your Say Pays, on behalf of MyJobGroup, polled 1,000 employed UK workers to reach their conclusions.

Tags: MyJobGroup, social marketing, social media consumption, social networks, UK consumers, UK economy, Your Say Pays