Fantasy Football in the Workplace: Managing Productivity and Setting Clear Boundaries
Paul Banuski
Working with organizations to implement HR/payroll best practices & comply with complex state/federal employment regulations!
While fantasy football can be a fun distraction for many employees, it also has the potential for significant productivity loss. And it's only the start of a long season....
According to a Challenger, Gray & Christmas report, the time employees spend managing a fantasy football team during what should be working time could result in up to $9 billion in lost productivity during the season. This highlights the need for managers to take proactive steps to maintain focus in the workplace, reduce distractions, and maintain productivity.
Set Clear Expectations
According to the study, "Challenger estimates workers spend 30 minutes during otherwise productive time – meaning outside breaks or the lunch hour – every work day checking their players, proposing trades, and researching the league." Managers should clearly communicate to employees that while they’re welcome to participate in fantasy football, these activities must be limited to breaks, lunch hours, or after work. Setting boundaries ensures that non-work-related distractions don’t interfere with business operations. Employees should understand that their primary responsibility during work hours is to remain productive and focused.
Address Issues Early
If managers notice that fantasy football activities are causing disruptions or reducing productivity, it’s essential to address the issue immediately. Employees should be aware that they will face corrective action if their participation in non-work-related activities interferes with their performance. This could range from a verbal warning to formal disciplinary action, depending on the severity of the issue.
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Promote Accountability and Balance
Encourage employees to self-regulate and balance work responsibilities and leisure activities. By promoting a culture of accountability, managers can reduce the need for micromanaging while ensuring that productivity remains high. Time management tools or training can also help employees manage their workday more effectively.
Conclusion
Fantasy football doesn’t have to be a major drain on productivity, but managers must set clear expectations to ensure it doesn’t interfere with daily operations. By communicating boundaries, addressing issues promptly, and holding employees accountable, HR and managers can mitigate the impact while maintaining a positive work environment.
For further insights, check out the original report from Challenger, Gray & Christmas: Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.
This article was created using Chat-GPT with prompts and edits by Paul Banuski
Assistant Vice President of Research at Big I New York
5 个月Are the employees getting their work done well and on time? If no, then address that. If yes, then why should the employer care about fantasy football? Too many employers disrespect the concept of personal time outside the workplace; for them, the idea of work time is meaningless. Also, Challenger, Gray & Christmas, who rend their garments every March about productivity lost to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, never seem to look at the potential productivity gains from employees taking short mental breaks during the day. Disengaging from work for 5 minutes or so can help restore energy and focus. The firm often cites scary numbers like an estimated $9 billion in lost productivity. Well. In a $17 trillion economy, that is 0.05% of annual output. If work isn’t being performed well and on time, that’s a problem worth addressing. Fantasy football by itself is not.