Is this work-related or non-work-related surfing? According to a Harris Interactive study, conducted with meta search engine Dogpile, 23% of American adults have used the Net to search for information about co-workers, customers and other employees.  That’s a significant number, right up there with all other popular online activities except general use of a search engine and use of e-mail, both of which are in the 90% range.

The primary motivation behind such searches: curiosity. Searches are also conducted to get information about a job candidate, find an address or phone number, prepare for a job interview, or check out a rumor.

ClickZ Stats has the story.