I read recently that workers in a law firm revolted over their employer's decision to ban their use of Facebook during working hours. I think the arguments made against usage at work were the usual: productivity losses, bandwidth-hogging and, um, a pointless waste of time. But in the end the lawyers used their superior linguistic skills and powers of reasoning to force a back-down from IT – they would be allowed to use Facebook but not access the network resource-draining videos.

Facebook seems to have been causing similar consternation in Canada, having been banned in Ontario government and Toronto city hall offices. The answer, as always, is to set a clear, but fair and common-sense acceptable usage policy (AUP) and communicate it clearly to all staff. And, just as important, to remind staff at regular intervals. I just found my AUP as I was clearing out an old set of drawers…can't even remember being given it.