COMP NEWS – Game time in the office? A survey by Robert Half suggests that employee morale and productivity are increased during the NCAA tournament season. March Madness may just be the time for employers to promote engagement and friendly competition in the workplace.
As the Great Resignation continues, engagement tactics remain top of mind for corporate leadership. Employee happiness and workplace satisfaction are in short supply due to the pandemic. Enter March Madness and other sporting events, which, according to HR experts, provide an easy opportunity for workplace camaraderie.
In 2019, also known as the last time many knowledge workers were truly in the office, 72% of senior managers told Robert Half that March Madness typically raises worker morale. Likewise, a whopping 52% said the NCAA championships bolster productivity. The research firm found similarly positive results in 2018 and 2016.
However, a 2019 survey by Perceptyx found that many employers restrict watching tournament games or filling out brackets on company time, and thus limit employee engagement opportunities, which serve to increase employee retention and satisfaction.
In a survey of more than 700 employees, about two-thirds of respondents said they’re tuned into the NCAA championships, but more than half of respondents say their workplace strictly forbids non-work-related media in the office.
About 25% said their boss preemptively warned them against March Madness activities at work, and 70% of workers surveyed by Perceptyx said that relaxing media policies in the office would improve their view of their organization.
Also, survey participants indicated that having a “fun” workplace is important to them and could prevent them from looking for work elsewhere.
Additionally, 60% of respondents said that a workplace that “isn’t fun” would make them more likely to start job searching. Four out of five respondents also said that they have more energy for work when they’re having fun.
It may be time to rethink sports involvement in the workplace. March madness and other major sporting events could increase employee engagement, productivity, and retention.
To read more about the effect of basketball on office productivity, click here.
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