UK Businesses Lose £4 Billion a Year Due to Office ‘e-break’ Ban
Banning personal internet use in the workplace could actually cost British businesses up to £4 billion (US$8 billion) every year due to a resulting decline in staff productivity - according to a report published by online games company, PopCap Games. The report claims that indicates taking a 10-minute online break during the course of the working day serves to reduce stress while sharpening and refocusing the mind.
The findings are based on psychometric trials carried out on a cross section of UK businesses under the supervision of Goldsmiths University psychologist, Dr Chamorro-Premuzic. The comparative effect of different types of online breaks on employees’ performances were tested and the results revealed that if bosses actively encouraged employees to take one ten minute e-break in the working day their overall productivity levels would increase.
The report looks at different types of office e-breaks and ranks them according to their positive impact on productivity levels. Dr Chamorro-Premuzic rated the top five types of e-breaks according to their benefits to staff productivity:
- Puzzles and casual computer games
- Social networking & personal emails
- Online shopping
- General browsing
- Life admin
Dr Chamorro-Premuzic commented “With work days becoming increasingly longer and workloads more demanding, UK bosses are introducing internet bans to help combat alleged productivity loss and inappropriate use of workplace resources. 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.”
Calculation of the £4 billion figure: Calculated using the 2008 UK turnover figures for services & highly skilled jobs and the recorded productivity increase identified in the experimental research for the PopCap Break Report.
Posted to the site on 28th May 2008
