This past Sunday the NCAA men's basketball tournament seeds were revealed, prompting excitement about brackets and pools for the upcoming tournament. Personally I can't wait to see how the tournament will play out. Unfortunately for many companies, their employees are very excited as well. An article from CNN.com highlights how March Madness is both hurtful and possibly helpful in the workplace.
The article states that according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc., U.S. employers could lose as much as $1.8 billion during the first week of the tournament, a truly astounding figure. However on the other side of the argument, often times companies simply accept the fact that March Madness affects the work at the office. John Challenger, CEO of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, says that some companies have "found ways to embrace the tournament as a team-building and morale-boosting opportunity." All the excitement and disappointment during the tournament can bring workers together and even serve as a bonding experience.
Since you can't really prevent office workers from checking the scores of the games, it seems like the best thing for a company to do would be to either ignore the tournament altogether or promote it. If companies try to prevent workers from following the games, it seems like they would only want to do it even more. It's kind of like when your parents tell you not to do something and as a result you want to do it even more.
What do you think about March Madness? Should it be promoted in the workplace or does it create a negative work environment?
Also, what team do you think will win the tournament? :)
Your bring up an interesting point. I've never really thought of March Madness interfering with the workplace. After reading this, I think that March Madness is totally fine at work. It is a good conversation point, and like you said, a nice bonding experience. I am filling out mine tonight!!
ReplyDeleteI had not thought of the serious affects of a basketball tournament on the workplace, both negative and positive. I think that the tournament brings more of the latter. Sports are a good way for co-workers to have some light hearted competition and fun, as long as it doesnt get too serious. And Ohio State all the way!!!!!!
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