Facebook is the biggest time-waster at work (and in life, too); 41% of people who waste time at work by visiting unrelated websites say they visit Facebook. But is this really “wasted time,” and if it is, is it really that bad?
An infographic released by wellness firm Keas indicates that Facebook may actually encourage happiness, healthiness and productivity in employees.
While 50 percent of CEOs prohibit the use of social media at work, they may be overreacting.
Being part of a network may actually make people healthier, according to research in the infographic; 15% of people with one friend participated in an online health forum, as opposed to 30% with two friends and 40% with three friends. The point: members of a network are likely to make similar health decisions as other members of the same group.
Plus, research shows that web surfing can increase productivity; a group of participants in an Academy of Management study who were allowed to spend 10 minutes browsing the internet were 39% more productive than people without breaks, and 16% more productive than people allowed to take a break but not use the internet.
Finally, employees are happier when allowed a few minutes of free time. Keas took this one step further than Internet browsing to the idea of recess at work. Fifty-three percent of respondents said they think a 10-minute recess outdoor break at work would make them happier, healthier and more productive, and forty-one percent think outdoor breaks would help relieve stress at work.
“Short and unobtrusive breaks, such as a quick surf of the Internet, enables themind to rest itself, leading to a higher total net concentration for a day’s work, and as a result, increased productivity,” the infographic quotes from Dr. Brent Coker of the Department of Management and Marketing at the University of Melbourne.
What do you think of Facebook at work? More than that, what do you think of a “recess” at work?
For this post, YouTern thanks our friends at ComeRecommended!
About the Author: Kate D’Amico is a recent Virginia Tech graduate where she studied communications with an emphasis in public relations as well as psychology and special events management and marketing. She has prior internship experience in corporate communications and public relations for technology, nonprofit, and association clients. Follow Kate on Twitter.
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