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Irish employees are wasting more than two hours a day on personal activities online, new research has claimed.

The survey, which was carried out by employment law consultancy firm Peninsula Ireland, claims workers are spending two hours and 20 minutes each day checking and sending personal email, and surfing the internet.

The majority of people surveyed - 92 per cent - admitted to sending personal email during working hours.

However, employers are fighting back with more than two-thirds disciplining staff over such activities, the study said.

Alan Price, managing director of Peninsula Ireland said employers need to get tough and set out strict guidelines on internet and email use throughout the working day.

"Putting a ban on all personal Internet and e-mail usage has been a tactic used by some employers but employees are seemingly ignoring these policies and continuing to use the Internet whenever they want," he said.

He said those employers that allow personal email and internet use should put in place guidelines to restrict it to lunch hours and breaks.

Mr Price said some employees could be risking dismissal for flouting acceptable use policies.

"Employees need to understand that they are getting paid to work and shouldn't be browsing the web or sending personal e-mail," he said.

"Some e-mail content can be considered very offensive and so employees shouldn't be risking possible disciplinary action on these grounds. If employers do have in place any type of restrictions on Internet and e-mail usage, employees would be risking disciplinary action and in some cases, could even risk dismissal."

He encouraged employers to carry out regular checks on internet and email usage, and take action against anyone caught breaking the rules.

The survey questioned 1106 employees and 608 employers through e-mail and telephone over a two week period in February.