Oh for the days when the trade unions were out there on the front lines, fighting against exploitation and mistreatment of workers who were not in a position to fight their own corner.
If working conditions are now so good in this country that the unions have nothing better to campaign for than the right to play on a computer during working hours, then they should do their members a favour, stop collecting subs and close down.

Johnny, London,

Is it too much to hope for union employees to actually do work, while they are at work - or do they simply expect to talk to their friends and go on (illegal) strikes?

Colin, Edinburgh,

What happened to trust? I only ever use this sort of thing during my lunch hour.
I can appreciate that some employees are less scrupulous. However I think unless you are looking at something that is clearly illegal or unethical or pornographic then it is my business what I choose to look at in my lunch hour. I personally use facebook a lot mainly as one way of keeping in touch with my sister who lives in Canada as well as other family members and friends who I don't see everyday. My Employer has also banned it and by not being able to use Facebook in my own time is stopping me from utilising that time to speak to my sister. I have no interest in using it during my working hours as I am far too busy. IT/HR departments are able to monitor an employee's internet use and I think it would be far better for my employer to allow Facebook and monitor it, disciplining those employees who use it when they shouldn't be!

Charlotte, Wiltshire, UK

When will people realise that THE INTERNET IS PUBLIC. That is the point of it. I find it incredible that a potential employer could be breaching some privacy issue when the silly idiot has posted their details willingly on a _public_ internet site.

Is there some new obligation on us all now "not to peek" at the _public_ postings of our children or employees?

Dave, Philadelphia, USA

"It’s unreasonable for employers to try to stop their staff from having a life outside work"
I agree. But it's perfectly acceptable for employers to expect staff to keep their socialising outside the workplace and not do it whilst being paid to work!
By all means let staff while away the tedium of work on social web-sites, as long as they accept that they won't get paid for the time they are logged into these sites since they clearly aren't working. The TUC should learn that a work-life balance does actually involve work.

And in case anyone's wondering - I'm always clocked out on lunch break whilst posting these comments.

KR, Stockport,

Banning the use of Facebook, or other websites, shows a distinct lack of trust on the part of employers.

Social networks are nothing more than a new form of communication and just as the majority of organisations allow occasional use of email or phones for personal use, employers should recognise that these sites are an extension of the way many people now communicate.

However, guidelines should be set to outline acceptable usage. By doing so, employers will demonstrate an appreciation of current trends and avoid the negative reactions likely from an outright ban. For their part, employees need to recognise they have a responsibility to their organisation by acting in a manner which supports the organisational objectives, protects its reputation and contributes to the achievements of targets. Guidelines will also provide parameters in which they can openly balance work and personal needs.

Jo Causon, London,

Sorry, but what a load of rubbish - there are 168 hours in a week, and most people only work for around 40 of those - less than 25%. Even after taking into account a person's need for sleep, there is more than enough time to have a "life outside work". Work is the place we go to work and earn money, not sit there gassing with our mates.

Most people that I know who use these ridiculous sites (whatever happened to going for a drink with your friends?) use them excessively (and there seems to be the same problem with message boards too) and many have had disciplinary action taken against them by their employers as the amount of time they spend on these sites has had a detrimental effect on their work. If they were just having a quick peek during a lunchbreak then fair enough, but people don't just do that, do they.

P.S. I am completely aware of the irony of what I have just written from my work computer during office hours!!!

Alex, London, UK

I am not allowed to use Facebook or Hotmail at work. Thank God. If I were, I would get very little done. The TUC is being ridiculous. Staff should not be paid to network online and Facebook is a highly addictive and time-consuming hobby!

C Adams, London,

here in NZ, a lot of companies recognise the life work balance and appreciate that more and more people are spending longer at work and also workingthrough lunch or lunching at their workstation or desk. It is duringthese breaks that the company is allowing blanket access to many of the social sites and feeds, but once the breaks finish, the controls are back in place to prevent secretive timewasting. It seems to work well and there are few complaints.

Darren Sharpe, Auckland, NZ