October 16, 2008

Football: In The Office It's Lost Productivity and Wasted Time

According to the Fantasy Sports Trade Association (FSTA), more than 14 million people are playing Fantasy Football. According to outplacement consultants Challenger, Gray & Christmas, during the National Football League regular season nearly 37 million people spend an average of 50 minutes a week at work managing their fantasy teams. John Challenger, CEO of the consulting firm, states Fantasy sport ranks with shopping on eBay's web auction site and online poker as the biggest waste of productivity at the workplace.

What does this mean for your business?

Instead of calling customers, preparing invoices, writing up reports or taking supplemental online training - your employees are busy doing their own online work - but not yours, Being able to have insight into what your employees are doing online is important. It's not a matter of "spying" on them, but it's a matter of ensuring they are productive.

Companies such as Spector Soft and there's dozens more make software that you can monitor the web surfing activities of your employees.

The important thing about web monitoring software is not to be a "big brother" to your employees - but it's to set internet usage rules and like you would monitor office supplies or petty cash, ensure the rules are followed.

Should you obsess with every second of your employee's time and hover over them like an annoying Dilbert-esque boss? I don't think so. But they should know that you can and will ensure they are productive during work hours. On the other hand, keep in mind, many people prefer to "surf" the 'net at work as the Internet connection is faster than what they have at home.

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