Nearly half of senior level US executives surveyed believe use of social networking sites at workplaces does not interfere with their productivity.

The online poll of over 1,000 employees in firms across the US, done by talent management firm Right Management in partnership with social networking site LinkedIn, analysed the widespread use of social networking sites at workplaces.

Forty?eight per cent of C-suite (top-level executives) and vice president-level respondents feel social networking seldom interferes with their productivity, the survey stated.

The survey revealed that larger the organisation the less likely is the perception that social networking hinders with productivity, as 51 per cent of people working at firms of 10,000 plus employees said it seldom interferes with the output.

"Social networking is here to stay. We need to look for ways to channel social media in directions that benefit organisations and their employees," Right Management Senior Vice President (Global Solutions) Melvin Scales said.

"Some companies are looking for innovative ways to embrace the new medium. But by some it (social networking) is perceived as disruptive, with about half of all companies reporting they block access to social media sites because of productivity and security concerns," Scales added.

Overall, 40 per cent of employees' surveyed (across all levels) said social networking "not necessarily" interferes with productivity, the survey added.

The survey suggested that managers should consider ways to creatively harness the technology and take advantage of the business value social media delivers in order to boost organisational performance and further business goals.

Moreover, around 62 per cent of IT professionals said it seldom interferes with work. Of those respondents aged between 35-44 years, 47 per cent said it rarely interferes.