Australian Study Says Web Surfing Boosts Office Productivity 173
Hugh Pickens writes "Dr Brent Coker, professor of Department of Management and Marketing at Melbourne University, says employees who surf the internet for leisure during working hours are more productive than those who don't. A study of 300 office workers found 70 percent of people who use the internet at work engage in Workplace Internet Leisure Browsing (WILB). 'People who do surf the internet for fun at work — within a reasonable limit of less than 20 per cent of their total time in the office — are more productive by about nine per cent than those who don't,' said Coker. 'People need to zone out for a bit to get back their concentration. Think back to when you were in class listening to a lecture — after about 20 minutes your concentration probably went right down, yet after a break your concentration was restored. It's the same in the workplace.' However, Coker warns that excessive time spent surfing the internet could have the reverse effect."
Comment removed (Score:5, Funny)
Yup... (Score:4, Funny)
I'm increasing my productivity right now!
In other news.. (Score:5, Funny)
"Australian researcher's lab shut down by MPAA."
Re:Sure (Score:5, Funny)
I'm sure my boss is going to be thrilled since he's looking over my shoulder reading this page as I type comments instead of doing my work.
Switch to surfing porn. It will make him even happier!
Surfing during work? (Score:4, Funny)
Hmm... gotta get back, done compiling.
Re: (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Sure (Score:5, Funny)
Everybody who works from home?
Obligatory xkcd comic (Score:5, Funny)
Compiling [xkcd.com].
Ironic (Score:3, Funny)
Do these effects..... (Score:4, Funny)
.... also include surfing for pron?
Re:Sure (Score:5, Funny)
...and there are studies that say a short nap during the workday make people more productive. Now who here has an authorized nap time at work?
I can't say it's exactly 'authorized' but no one stops me when I roll under the desk and take a quick rest. Mostly they laugh.
Re:Ciggy Break (Score:5, Funny)
I smoke, have a caffeine addiction, love to gossip, play games, AND surf the internet, you insensitive clod!
I spend just under 20% of my billable time each day on each activity... I work about 20 minutes a day, just enough time to make sure the lackeys are doing my work for me.
What? Isn't that the American dream?
More studies needed (Score:4, Funny)
We need to commission studies that look at increases in productivity for the following activities during work time:
1) Games and gaming at work
2) Consumption of alcohol at work
3) Coming to work in casual clothes - the more casual the better - think underwear and curry stained shirt
4) Workplace sex
Re:More studies needed (Score:4, Funny)
Sure, your productivity may improve -- but what abot everyone else in the office who is too busy cleaning vomit out of their keyboards to get work done?
Re:Hurray! I've been saying this for years! (Score:4, Funny)
Posting anon because the wife reads slashdot.
Good to Know (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Sure (Score:3, Funny)
Now who here has an authorized nap time at work?
Just close the door to your office and lock it. If you're woken by knocking or telephone, you have a moment to gather your composure before opening the door. It works for me!
What? You labour in an open-topped fabric-covered doorless half-height cube? Good god, that's barbaric!
and the converse may also be true (Score:5, Funny)
...and there are studies that say a short nap during the workday make people more productive.
My wife and I work in the same department, and occasionally take a "nap" together in a spare office. Curiously, this seems to reduce the productivity of our colleagues, who often look annoyed after our "nap".
Re:Sure (Score:5, Funny)
Now who here has an authorized nap time at work?
I do. That is, I effectively do.
Ok, you want the truth? Nobody knows the difference.
Re:and the converse may also be true (Score:5, Funny)
...and there are studies that say a short nap during the workday make people more productive.
My wife and I work in the same department, and occasionally take a "nap" together in a spare office. Curiously, this seems to reduce the productivity of our colleagues, who often look annoyed after our "nap".
Damn right, we're annoyed. Those "offices" may have real doors, but they only have fabric walls...
Re:Sure (Score:5, Funny)
What? You labour in an open-topped fabric-covered doorless half-height cube? Good god, that's barbaric!
Sheer luxury mate. I work in a hole in the road, it's a twenty mile commute on foot in the dark and thirty back. My father fed me stone cold poison and killed me every morning before work.
But can ye get the lads to believe you these days? Noooooo.....
Re:More studies needed (Score:3, Funny)
Ditto.
Re:Ciggy Break (Score:4, Funny)
I spend just under 20% of my billable time each day on each activity..
According to this study, that makes you about 63% more productive than other office workers, NICE JOB!!
Re:Surfing during work? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:20% is reasonable? (Score:1, Funny)
When you are visiting, you are company!
Re:Sure (Score:3, Funny)
I have a strange feeling tree pussy doesn't mean what I think it does.