It appears a certain BIG Swiss Bank will be further restricting internet access - blocking webmail, blogs, newsgroups, and social networking - from 15th September.

It appears Facebook will be affected.

EF might experience a significant downturn in traffic, at least during office hours.

Yep a friend of mine who had to do some work at both big banks was refused access to my site (it was categorized as pornography). I would have expected that in the states, but not here...

Thankfully, I work at a small bank

But the big banks here tend to have a major presence in the States. As their firewalls tend to be managed globally, they take a "lowest common denominator" approach. So it doesn't matter what country you are actually located in, you will be hitting US/UK/Australian style restrictions.

Also, for a large (huge) company, the savings they make in infrastructure and charges by blocking a lot of these popular, high bandwidth sites would count in the tens of millions of dollars.

Occasional surfing at work is not so bad, but Facebook is a social site.

When someone is at work, he or she shouldn't be cruising Facebook
for members of the opposite sex.

Naturally, it is OK to check English Forum.

But arguably better from the company perspective than cruising the secretarial pool

The positive thing is that you won't have to witness scenes of this kind: http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1780283

My place blocks just about everything, but EF is not affected. Although this is a social site it's primarily a very useful resource, especially for those relocating, I'd be surprised if it was blocked.

I can't think of a single reason they should allow Facebook.

In fairness I would categorise your site as pornography. I know it's artistic in nature but it could offend some, and could be used by blokes to ogle ladies. TBH whilst I think you've got a great portfolio I'd be lying if I said I didn't like the tits.

For members of the opposite sex?

Damn, I didn't know people cruised Facebook- I just thought it was for me and my friends, and their friends... who are really cute btw, who are now my friends and, oh, wait a second... never mind.

I usually don't trawl people's web-sites especially when they casually plug them. But then you had to mention the T word and my curiosity got the better of me.

Incidentally, the internet access at the other big bank seems to have these same restrictions for longer.

What of the secretarial pool? You wish!

Sorry, could you please retype? Your message was blocked under the category swimwear/nudity.

There's great tits on my website, too.
nice pair