Human Resources: American workers cost employers billions in wasted time

According to a new survey by America Online and Salary.com, American workers are wasting just over two hours a day, surfing the Internet or talking with colleagues. This costs their employers $759 billion dollars a year.

Forty-four percent of 10,000 respondents said the most popular way to while away time in the office was through personal Internet use, including e-mail, instant messaging and chat rooms.

Perhaps this well known poster isn't quite so funny after all!

Office Timetable
9:00 Starting time
9:15 Arrive at work
10:00 Coffee break
11:00 Check e-mail
11:30 Prepare for lunch
12:00 Lunch
2:00 Browse the Internet
3:00 Tea break
3:30 Check e-mail again
4:00 Prepare to go home
4:45 Go home
5:00 Finishing Time

Unfortunately management and business owners in Australia can't do similar. They are far too busy fighting unfair dismissal claims and working out how to pay leave loading.