if you have a certain amount of work to do each day, and you can complete that work AND spend an hour on a social networking site, then why not? Why don't offices let their employees use social networking sites if their work is done?

As my father told me many years ago:

"What do you mean you had nothing to do? There's always something to do at work!"

If a person is paid for 8 hours of work, then morally, legally, and ethically, he owes those 8 hours to his employers. Period.

Another thought -- if there isn't enough work to do -- then the employer may decide to cut staff so that each person has plenty of work each day. Goofing off at work is likely to cost people their jobs.

The policies regarding the use of social networking sites in the workplace can vary depending on the organization. While some companies do allow employees to use social networking sites during work hours if their work is completed, others have strict policies prohibiting or limiting such access.

There are a few reasons why some offices may choose to restrict or discourage the use of social networking sites, even if employees have completed their work:

1. Distraction: Social networking sites can be highly addictive and easily distract employees from their tasks. It is common for people to lose track of time while engaging with social media. Even if an employee starts with just an hour, it's easy to get carried away and spend more time than intended. This can lead to decreased productivity and delays in completing assignments.

2. Security risks: Social networking sites can pose security risks, such as phishing attacks, malware, or data breaches. Clicking on links or opening attachments from unknown or unverified sources can expose a company's network to potential threats. Therefore, organizations may opt to limit or control access to minimize the chances of security vulnerabilities.

3. Reputation and brand image: If employees spend excessive time on social networking sites during work hours, it can reflect poorly on the company's reputation. It may give the impression that the employees are not focused on their work or that the company has a lax working environment. Additionally, inappropriate or unprofessional behavior on social media can damage the brand image and lead to potential legal issues for the company.

4. Bandwidth and resource consumption: Accessing social networking sites can consume significant bandwidth and network resources, especially if multiple employees are using these sites simultaneously. This can slow down other crucial business operations or cause technical disruptions.

5. Legal and compliance considerations: Certain industries, such as finance or healthcare, have strict regulations concerning data privacy and confidentiality. Social networking sites may not have adequate security measures in place to ensure compliance with these regulations. Therefore, organizations in such industries may enforce stricter policies to mitigate the risk of non-compliance.

Overall, while allowing employees to use social networking sites when their work is done may seem appealing on the surface, organizations must balance productivity, security, reputation, and compliance considerations before making a decision on social media access during work hours.