Does Your Workplace Go Mad in March?

Here comes March Madness once again. Are you ready? The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) reports that 30 percent of all employers know that NCAA office pools are taking place in their offices. It is estimated that American employers will lose at least $1.5 billion in productivity during this March Madness season. What should employers be thinking about?

Decide what your rules are for March Madness. If you are not going to allow betting pools, be upfront about it. Employees who want to place bets will have to do so elsewhere. If you are going to permit a betting pool, do not let employees solicit for it during work time. Limit solicitation to breaks and meal periods. If employees following scores on the Internet is a problem, have IT block those sites. Once you have decided on your rules, communicate them to everyone - then enforce the rules.

This article appeared in the March 11, 2007 of The Gaston Gazette.