How Are Your Brackets Holding Up?

Some sources estimate that March Madness will cost American companies $4 billion in lost productivity this year. If you are a bracket watcher, this year it has become even easier to be distracted as CBSSportsline.com is offering free live coverage of all games. But, in the event that the boss walks into the office, the site also offers a "boss button" which immediately turns off the game and brings up a spreadsheet. Hmmm . . .have you noticed more people than normal using spreadsheets this past week?

Some companies have gone so far as to block internet access to the live broadcasts and to the scores. I guess their employees will have to resort to podcasts or to good old-fashioned radio.

Are companies carrying their March Madness avoidance tactics too far? Are employees carrying their fan enthusiasm too far? Or is it just a few days of fun and sport?

To read NBC News' report on the tourney's impact, click here: March Madness + Webcasts = Lost Prodcutivity

Posted by Denise Knutson, Senior Consultant, The H.S. Group