If you log on to your Facebook account while at work, you have now less reason to be apprehensive as researchers have found that top managers are the ones who use private social media most for personal purposes during working hours.

"It is very interesting that top executives, who are negative to private web-surfing during working hours, are the ones who surf the most for private purposes when at work," said Cecilie Schou Andreassen from University of Bergen (UiB) in Norway.

This can be explained by the fact that top executives have longer working hours, and that work and leisure are much more integrated than it is for employees, the researchers said.

"It is likely that managers are worried about reductions in output and financial loss as a result of use of private social media among their employees," Schou Andreassen added.

About 11,000 Norwegian employees participated in the study.

Following the study, the researchers have some indication as to why some surf and use social media for personal purposes more during working hours, and why young, single and educated men stand out.

"Social media probably has a greater social function for singles than it has for people in relationships," Schou Andreassen said.

Those with higher education and socioeconomic status are likely more familiar with computer use, which may explain why they are more active online than those with lower education.

Their work situation may also provide more opportunities to engage in private use of social media at work compared to those with lower education.

"The finding may also reflect that people with a high socio-economic status, are not as afraid to lose their job as those in low-status jobs," Schou Andreassen explained.

BDST: 1549 HRS, JULY-03, 2014