Small business are becoming more adept at monitoring employees' workplace internet usage, it has emerged.

According to a new survey by Robert Half Technology, 78 per cent of businesses have implemented some form of control of online activity.

When asked to describe their company's policy on web activity, 37 per cent of respondents cited a combination of corporate policy and content-blocking software, while just over a quarter implemented an acceptable usage policy alone.

Meanwhile, 17 per cent had no system in place to regulate workers' online habits.

"All companies should have a corporate policy in place that outlines acceptable web use by employees," said Katherine Spencer Lee, executive director of Robert Half Technology.

"Communicating and explaining web access policies, along with the risks associated with web browsing, helps employees understand why these guidelines are in place," she continued.

Meanwhile, a recent survey from BT Business found that 82 per cent of small and medium-sized businesses felt the internet enabled them to improve their work-life balance.