March Madness May Make You More Productive At Work

It's about to take the country by storm, March Madness, a time when many people focus less on their jobs and more on the tournament. CBS 2's Vince Gerasole spoke to a psychiatrist today who says the "mad" obsession with college basketball playoffs may actually be good for our minds.

Some of you out there, and you know who you are, will be calling up the games on your workplace PCs or dashing to the sports bar in the middle of the business day.

Some calculate that March Madness costs businesses nearly $2 billion in lost productivity. But the workplace bonding and light-hearted competition that goes on at this time might actually, according to others, make employees more productive.

It's time for March Madness and the business pros at American Street Mortgage are having a ball - literally.

"We love basketball so much, it brings us closer to one another," said Amir Syed, the firm's owner.

Sharbel Shamoon, one of his mortgage brokers, says there is just an energetic vibe throughout the office. He also does this while bouncing a basketball beside his desk.

But from the brackets posted in the break room to the web sites on their PCs, there are signs the crew here is going mad in March.

"A lot of us here play basketball, we are all competitive," said Justin Lopatin, another broker.

You can call this the tip-off for a great workplace debate about this basketball obsession.

It's s a matchup as intense as any March Madness competition. On one side you have those who say it is bad for productivity. Among them is John Challenger from the firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

"We're estimating it will cost $1.8 billion in worker distraction and in lost wages," said Challenger.

On the other side, there are those who say it's a great way top build team spirit, specifically psychiatrist Dr. Robert Sobut from Northwestern University.

"People actually have a fun time with it, and it may boost productivity and revenue in the long run," said Sobut.

"With everything going on in the economy, it brings moral up," said Syed. "It's important to bring some personal side to the office. We aren't always so serious. It builds our relationship internally."

The players on his team describe it best.

"Competitive nature drives results, whether betting basketball games, or production, or helping clients," said Lopatin.

It's estimated 45 percent of all Americans will fill out a bracket. Did you? It just might help you feel better about getting to the office tomorrow.

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