Now that the NCAA tournament bracket is out, there’s no shame in filling it out, even if you are at work, just make sure you do work at least a little bit. Besides, if you do fill your bracket during office hours, you’re joining millions of Americans.
Recent surveys indicate that 66 percent of American workers plan to follow the tournament and 3 million people have said they will watch even during office hours.
This raises a big concern amongst businesses who are worried about productivity from the employees but it’s probably not as big of an issue was it may sound. First of all, the tournament doesn’t last that long and day games are really only for a couple days. Not to mention, I believe most people can handle having a TV on during work. Waiters and waitresses can still serve food as they’re listening to the action and occasionally looking up. Those with office jobs can have a separate window open as they work on other files. Those driving for a living can listen to the games. I realize there are some jobs where you absolutely cannot watch but for the most part, if having the game on as background noise is going to decrease productivity so easily, there’s another issue at hand.
Having said all that, I say, pick away. No shame in occasionally going back and forth between the No. 12 and No. 5 seed. There’s nothing wrong with trying to get an edge over your buddy and if doing so at work is the way to do that, so be it.
There are several ways to compete in a tournament challenge. ESPN, CBS Sports and others have online accounts for you to set up a group contest which you can make private or public and it does all the hard work of keeping track of points so you don’t have to. That way, you can save some trouble and time and be more productive at work.