Companies are a little more lenient today when it comes to letting employees shop online during business hours, according to a survey from Robert Half Technology.

Thirty-three percent of chief information officers said their companies block access to online shopping sites, down from 60 percent last year. Another 55 percent said they allow access but monitor activity for excessive use, and 10 percent reported that their firms allow unrestricted access.

According to John Reed, senior executive director of Robert Half Technology, allowing employees to tackle personal to-do lists at work can help maintain productivity because workers are spared the traffic delays and long lines that accompany holiday crowds.

“Many businesses acknowledge the need for flexibility during the hectic holiday season and allow some online shopping at work, within reason,” said Reed.

The survey is based on more than 1,400 telephone interviews with CIOs from companies across the United States with 100 or more employees.