Newswise — When the NCAA men's basketball tournament begins later this month, millions of fans across the country will be looking to follow the games, which take place mostly during the workday, on their phones, at lunch or at their desks through the streaming online video service offered by CBS, the NCAA's official network. Claire Simmers, Ph.D., professor of management at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia, believes that watching the games during the day can provide a challenge to employers and employees alike.
Simmers"With streaming services and portable devices like iPhones, you can watch these games anywhere," Simmers says. "As an employer, you have to be up front with your employees and reiterate that outcomes are important. At the same time, though, you can allow your employees to watch the games as long as it doesn't affect productivity."
The delicate balance between work and play is especially relevant given today's economic conditions, according to Simmers. "From the employee's perspective, you don't want to lay your job on the line for a game," she says. "If it isn't cool with your boss to be watching the NCAA, take a vacation day or catch up during your break times. But from the employer's perspective, with money for raises likely to be tight this year, this might be one of those non-monetary perks that you can offer, with the stipulation that needed work still gets done. March Madness is an opportunity for all sports fans to take a little mental vacation from a very stressful economic time."
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