Kerala HC cracks the whip on 'digital distraction' of staff during work hours

CLAMPING down on its staff members playing online games, browsing social media, streaming movies, or engaging in online trading during office hours, which it found had started diverting their attention from work, the Kerala High Court imposed a ban on such activities in the office, including during lunch breaks.

- P RAMDAS @Kochi

A memorandum issued by HC registrar general Gopakumar G on December 2 read, "...many staff members are engaged in playing online games and watching social media content during work hours and the break, thereby hampering day-to-day office work."

The HC had, through circulars issued in 2009 and 2013 - barring senior officers provided with mobile phones and chauffeurs - prohibited the use of mobile phones by officers and staff members during office hours, except lunch recess.