With March Madness building, betting pools and having the game(s) on at the office are sure to create a few HR headaches.
Fortunately for fans, OfficeTeam has dribbled out a survey suggested that companies that allow their workers to celebrate at work may be the "real winners."
Nearly one-third (32 percent) of senior managers interviewed by OfficeTeam said activities tied to the college basketball playoffs boost employee morale, and more than one-quarter (27 percent) felt March Madness has a positive impact on worker productivity. These results are up from 20 percent and 16 percent, respectively, in a similar survey conducted in 2013.
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"Many companies acknowledge the appeal of sporting events like March Madness and organize friendly contests or invite workers to watch games together," said Robert Hosking, executive director of OfficeTeam. "Group activities like this can boost employee morale as workers have fun discussing game scores or their favorite schools."
OfficeTeam offers three tips to help workers caught up in March Madness also stay caught up with work:
- Don't make a rookie mistake. Before participating in playoff-related activities in the office, make sure you're not running afoul of company policies. Find out what's acceptable and what's not regarding issues such as breaks, personal Internet use and workspace decorations.
- Watch the clock. If your employer allows it, take quick breaks to chat with coworkers about tournament updates, but don't let conversations distract you from your job. If you're a March Madness fanatic, consider requesting time off to watch the playoffs.
- Check the playbook. Interested in taking a day off to enjoy the game? Discuss it with your boss in advance. This allows your manager to keep things on track by reassigning projects or bringing in temporary professionals, if necessary.
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