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How employers can manage March Madness workplace distractions

With March Madness ranking among one of the top workplace distractors this spring, employers are looking at how to keep disruptions to a minimum. March Madness and other online pools/games ranked third among all tech-related causes of work delays, with 30% of managers/HR reps citing them as a “major employee distractor, following text messaging and Facebook use.” Philippe Weiss, managing director of Seyfarth Shaw at Work, a legal compliance and consulting services company, offers these tips to help minimize the mayhem.
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Bosses shouldn’t bet

If supervisors engage in a cash pool, they — and the company — may run afoul of gambling laws. And, in any case, they erode their ability to manage bracket-crazy employees that cross the line.
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Brackets and bagels go together

It is often better to encourage employees to watch games in a designated breakroom — and during actual breaks — as opposed to them simply finding ways to do so on the sly. Designating “Bracket and Bagel” watch areas and setting-out some tempting food also lessens the chance that employees will leave work to catch part of a game in the local bar or restaurant.
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Keep it cash free

For those workplaces absolutely committed to a March Madness pool, offer prizes of swag adorned with company logos. Transform that college pride into company pride.
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Keep an ear open for complaints

Ensure that your managers are ready to effectively respond to any complaints of online or face-to-face trash talking (as well as any moral or religious objections to wagering) that may be raised by team members.
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