The latest threat to worker productivity
Filed under: Communication, Employee computer use, In this week's e-newsletter, Latest News & Views
If you’ve noticed your company’s Internet connection running slower and a lot less work being done lately, this could be why:
Starting today, NCAA college basketball tournament games will be available for free online.
That’s right, in addition keeping tabs on their entries in the office pool, employees will now have the option of seeing the games live over your company’s computer network. That’s 63 games, many of which will take place during the work day.
Translation: a big drain on bandwidth, and a big new distraction.
What should HR do about it? That depends on who you ask.
Some experts recommend not worrying about it and just focusing on performance problems individually. Others say companies should take action and remind employees not to use the Web for personal activity — the bandwidth required to watch video could make it harder for others to get their work done.
What do you think? Does your company need a policy on streaming live sporting events at work? Do you plan on doing anything if March Madness becomes too big a distraction in your workplace?
Let us know in the comments section below.
Comments
3 Comments on The latest threat to worker productivity
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Pat on
Mon, 23rd Mar 2009 3:53 pm
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Don on
Tue, 24th Mar 2009 11:20 am
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suzy q on
Tue, 24th Mar 2009 1:35 pm
No comments?
They all must be watching the games!
Streaming media is always blocked.
I regularly walk around and see who has work on their screen and who has non-work related websites. We also monitor emails multiple times a day and get a print out of incoming and outgoing phone calls.
I know I have friends and family members who have employers that don’t care about surfing and facebooking at work but my company expects a full days work for a full day’s pay. We are not so crazy as to think people never handle personal business while on the clock but we do expect it be at a minimum or done on your lunch for full time employees. Part time employees have the rest of the day to handle their personal business and should do so off the clock.
