Research shows social media use has postive impacts on business morale and performance

EMPLOYEES have been saying it for years: we really do work harder if we can use Facebook on the job.

Instead of harming productivity, some work time spent chatting to friends online can actually enhance it. Picture: Tim Carrafa

WHEN you're thinking of how to make your business more productive, what's the first step you'd think to take?

We’re betting you wouldn’t be encouraging employees to spend more time chatting to friends at the water cooler, or to post every waking moment of their lives on Facebook.

However, according to new research, that’s exactly what you should be doing.

Research by business analyst Gallup Consulting released today found employees needed to spend six hours a day socialising with friends and family to boost their happiness and improve their performance at work.

The research found all types of socialising from chats at the water cooler, to emails and social networking sites contributed to employees feeling fulfilled.

Gallup consulting engagement manager Allan Watkinson said non-work-related conversations helped build cohesion and productivity.

"It seems that conversations on popular social sites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn as well as idle chitchat at the water cooler will make a positive difference in performance levels," Watkinson said.

Instead of banning Twitter, Facebook and MySpace, employers are being urged to embrace the technology as a way of encouraging staff to socialise, according to Gallup's survey of more than 15 million people around the globe.

Recent research showed 54 per cent of US companies banned workers from using social networking sites.

The research by IT staffing firm Robert Half Technology found only 10 per cent of workplaces gave staff free rein in the social networking world.

Disengaged workers were more likely to leave their jobs and suffer from depression.

The findings are taken from a new book, Wellbeing: The Five Essential Elements released tomorrow.

The authors, Tom Rath and Jim Harter, found career, social, financial, physical and community were the five factors essential to improving wellbeing.