The approach of spring brings at least one challenge for HR professionals: how to manage the distractions of college basketball’s “March Madness.” The annual NCAA basketball tournament will continue until the final buzzer sounds. During that three-week stretch, you will likely see all manner of brackets, conversations and even streaming video of live games in progress during the workday. This can make for a productivity drain. Review five tips to survive this month of basketball madness.

1. HAVE A GAME PLAN
Can employees participate in contests as long as it does not inter-
fere with work duties? How about using company computers to
access the games? Or would you rather employees use their
personal media devices?
PROVIDE TIMEOUTS
The games during the day present a major issue. Obviously, you
don’t want employees watching games in their entirety. Consider
allowing short breaks.
ENCOURAGE TEAM SPIRIT
One easy way to participate is to allow employees to decorate their
work areas with their team’s colors. Consider allowing employees
to dress casually on the first two full days of the tournament, as
long as they are dressed in their college’s apparel. As many
employers do during Halloween, you can even have a contest for
the best display of school spirit.
ALLOW SIT OUTS
A small number of employees may be so into March Madness that it
makes sense to allow them to take vacation days. Communicate to
employees that all time-off requests need to be submitted as soon
as possible and are subject to management discretion.
INCENTIVISE HIGH SCORES
If your company uses standard productivity measures (e.g., aver-
age speed to answer, units produced), you might try creating a
goal for your workforce to meet during March Madness. If the
target is achieved, you can provide some type of reward (e.g., a
party, a drawing, credit added to a PTO bank).
TO SURVIVE
FIVE TIPS
copyright 2013