PopCap Break Report 2008
Bianca — May 27, 2008 — Pop Culture
References: popcapbreak
Cyberslacking, a term Trend Hunter was introduced to a few months ago, has become a worldwide business issue that's lead to “e-break†bans in corporations around the world. This act of limiting employee access to the internet has led to a £4 billion (US$7.92 billion) annual loss for UK businesses.
PopCap Games published a report this week that said the financial loss is, ironically, due to a drop in productivity of the workers. The PopCap Break Report 2008 revealed giving employees 10 minutes of personal online free time during the work day resulted in better work; it decreases employee stress, allowing them to resume work refreshed and with a sharpened mind.
“The research shows that far from distracting employees from their work, e-breaks actually serve to increase staff efficiency and morale, benefitting UK businesses,†PopCap says.
70% of major UK companies prohibited their employees from cyberslacking on their MySpace and Facebook pages. Some companies where employees don't require use of the web banned internet access altogether.
“With work days becoming increasingly longer and work loads more demanding, UK bosses are introducing internet bans to help combat alleged productivity loss and inappropriate use of workplace resources,†says Dr Chamorro-Premuzic. “Yet bosses are missing a trick by introducing e-bans.
“The PopCap Break Report has revealed that allowing workers more freedom at the PC, can benefit the worker's morale levels, effectively boosting companies' profits. In addition to allowing their mind to switch off from their work worries, employers can foster a more trusting and enjoyable environment for workers.â€
The report finds, which involved university-based psychology studies, revealed that on 10 minute e-break in the work day significantly boosts productivity.
The top five suggested e-breaks, as suggested by Dr Chamorro-Premuzic:
1. Puzzles and casual computer games
2. Social networking & personal emails
3. Online shopping
4. General browsing
5. Life admin
So, to anyone who is not self-employed, I recommend forwarding this to your boss. If you want to anonymously lobby your boss to take these e-breaks, check out http://www.popcapbreak.com.
And those who have employees? If it boosts your business, and it makes your employees happier, why not do a month trial?
PopCap Games published a report this week that said the financial loss is, ironically, due to a drop in productivity of the workers. The PopCap Break Report 2008 revealed giving employees 10 minutes of personal online free time during the work day resulted in better work; it decreases employee stress, allowing them to resume work refreshed and with a sharpened mind.
“The research shows that far from distracting employees from their work, e-breaks actually serve to increase staff efficiency and morale, benefitting UK businesses,†PopCap says.
70% of major UK companies prohibited their employees from cyberslacking on their MySpace and Facebook pages. Some companies where employees don't require use of the web banned internet access altogether.
“With work days becoming increasingly longer and work loads more demanding, UK bosses are introducing internet bans to help combat alleged productivity loss and inappropriate use of workplace resources,†says Dr Chamorro-Premuzic. “Yet bosses are missing a trick by introducing e-bans.
“The PopCap Break Report has revealed that allowing workers more freedom at the PC, can benefit the worker's morale levels, effectively boosting companies' profits. In addition to allowing their mind to switch off from their work worries, employers can foster a more trusting and enjoyable environment for workers.â€
The report finds, which involved university-based psychology studies, revealed that on 10 minute e-break in the work day significantly boosts productivity.
The top five suggested e-breaks, as suggested by Dr Chamorro-Premuzic:
1. Puzzles and casual computer games
2. Social networking & personal emails
3. Online shopping
4. General browsing
5. Life admin
So, to anyone who is not self-employed, I recommend forwarding this to your boss. If you want to anonymously lobby your boss to take these e-breaks, check out http://www.popcapbreak.com.
And those who have employees? If it boosts your business, and it makes your employees happier, why not do a month trial?
Trend Themes
1. Employee Work Breaks - Businesses can benefit from allowing workers more freedom at the PC, increasing their productivity and morale levels.
2. Gamification of Workplace - Puzzles and casual computer games during work breaks can provide a refreshing stress buster, leading to a sharpened mind and increased work efficiency.
3. Flexibility at Work - Introducing e-breaks can foster a more enjoyable and trustworthy work environment for workers, benefitting their morale and ultimately increasing companies' profits.
Industry Implications
1. Corporate - Corporate businesses can look at introducing e-breaks to keep their employees refreshed, which will boost productivity and generate higher profits.
2. Gaming - Gaming companies can explore introducing games and puzzles as a stress buster activity during work breaks, to improve the efficiency and mental focus of the employees.
3. Online Shopping - Retail industry can leverage online browsing and shopping activities as a stress buster that can be done during work breaks, improving employee morale levels while adding to their sales volume.
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