March Madness Or March Gladness

This time every year I learn about brackets (actually this has been turned into a science called “bracketology”) and pools.  Let me be clear though that I am not talking about the kind of brackets we use when writing or the pools we swim in.  As I am sure you all know, I am talking about the famed college basketball brackets of the NCAA.   Don’t get me wrong, I like my three sons, love this time of year.  To  me there is nothing like the thrill of the NCAA tournament where we get to watch great basketball and learn about human nature, especially sportsmanship, leadership and teams.  If we were all honest, most of us are getting ready to begin to cheer on our favorite college basketball team or just marvel at the amazing athleticism exhibited. 

Unfortunately however, along with the positive excitement there are also some negatives and we need to pay attention to them.  As employers, this time of year, like the Super Bowl and the World Series, can provide some real challenges.  Employees become distracted which can effect their productivity.  There are also some legal issues related to gambling that also need to be addressed.  Finally, these times can lead to or exascerbate addictions such as gambling or alcohol/drugs.

So what should an employer do?   Support or participate in these pools?  Encourage or discourage attention to the games and scores?  We all know that if we could harness the energy, resources and dollars spent during this month in our business efforts, our organizations might be really thriving.  I am always amazed at how knowledgeable my three boys are about the game, teams and odds.  They really do their research. First, it is important to know that the media has generated a lot of statistics about the effects of March Madness on the workplace.  For some of these statistics, check out the Everyday Economist which cites some of these.

I think that March Madness offers employers an opportunity to demonstrate “March Gladness” and use it to create some positive morale and bonding.  And this year, with the ever increasing economic bad news, it is even more important.  Many of our employees need some kind of distraction to help them get through these tough times.  And why not have some fun and support by the employer.  Michael McCarthy of USA Today writes about this very phenomenon stating that Jason Kint, the General Manager of CBSSports hopes that employers let them keep the TVs on.

We can do this in a positive way.  So below are a few tips on how to accomplish this.  But, by all means, be creative.

• Let your employees watch and keep the TVs on.  It may effect productivity in that March Madness will cause some to be distracted but support for employees may actually keep them engaged.  If you are really concerned, at least have the TV on at certain designated times or places (like the lunchroom).
• Plan time to party and celebrate.
• If you are worried about legal issues, then have pools but not for money.  Give a prize that is tied to good health (i.e., basketball, hockey or baseball tickets) or something else that has some positive value to their well-being and happiness.
• Hold small parties or encourage employees to come to work in their favorite team jerseys (but watch for any heated exchanges).
• Keep an eye out for anyone with a predisposition to addiction.  Gambling can be just as much a problem as alcoholism or drug abuse.  And remember, the workplace is not the place for alcohol consumption.  This brings a whole set of other problems.

Take advantage of this time to have fun and help your employees loosen up.  See it as a chance to create good will in the midst of some pretty tough times.

Tags: Basketball, NCAA, Sports