Fifty percent of workers say their employer has no policy on office pools, according to a survey released by Spherion Corporation, a staffing company.
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Ten percent percent said that their employer does have a policy regarding office pools.
Forty-nine percent of respondents said they have participated in an office pool at some point in their careers. Twenty-three percent of respondents admitted watching or following sports events on the computer while at work. The survey also found that 10 percent of U.S. workers have called in sick to watch or attend, or as a result of watching or attending, a sports event.
"Considering these survey findings, and with March Madness in full swing, U.S. companies could really take a hit in terms of productivity," says Nancy Halverson, vice president of talent management for Spherion. "Some employers may not be concerned about office pools. But, for those who are apprehensive about potential productivity losses or distractions that can result from office pools, the first step in sidelining the practice is to clearly communicate the company's policy about it."