UK businesses could lose billions of pounds in lost productivity
as a result of banning office "e-breaks".
A report from online "casual games" provider PopCap Games says
the
trend towards banning personal internet use in the workplace
could result in a decline in staff productivity.
The report, which relies on psychometric tests, says that taking
a 10-minute online break during the course of the working day
serves to reduce stress and sharpens and refocuses the mind.
With seven out of 10 companies - including Credit Suisse and
British Gas - banning access to social networking sites, and many
considering banning personal internet access altogether, the PopCap
Break Report 2008 highlights the negative impact these moves could
have on the UK economy.
For the report, psychometric trials were carried out on a cross
section of UK businesses, under the supervision of Goldsmiths
University psychologist Chamorro-Premuzic. They measured the
comparative effect of different types of online breaks on
employees' performances.
The results revealed that if bosses actively encouraged
employees to take one 10 minute e-break in the working day their
overall productivity levels would increase.
"Tea-breaks and fag breaks have long been the most common types
of break within office culture, but the report shows that e-breaks
are fast becoming the most popular choice of break for British
workers", said Chamorro-Premuzic.
"The report proves that a 10 minute e-break a day can have
significant benefits, but, despite this, many bosses are banning
them in the fear that they distract employees.
"By factoring in a dedicated slot for an e-break bosses are
fostering a more trusting working environment, boosting
productivity and ultimately increasing their profit, which surely
makes good business sense," he said.