In spite of the plethora of 21st century distractions in the workplace, the biggest challenges to a worker's focus remain the procrastination strategies that have existed as long as the concept of work.
According to a new survey of 1,000 U.S. employees by Bamboo HR, a maker of HR software, the most popular ways to avoid work are the following:
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Taking breaks to the kitchen/water cooler/break room (other than for lunch)
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Taking trips to the bathroom
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Participating in small talk/gossip with coworkers
Using social media for non-work related reasons or watching TV (either on mobile devices or PCs) were the 7th and 8th most cited time-wasters.
And in another finding that undermines widespread assumptions about American workplaces, the survey reports that those closer to the top of the corporate ladder were slightly more likely to engage in distractions from work than those they are supervising.
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But perhaps the most important takeaway from the survey is that only 20 percent of employees believe that workplace distractions hinder their productivity. Nearly as many –– 18 percent –– believe distractions enhance their performance. Others appear unconvinced either way, but most (68 percent) are open to the idea that workers should be able to take a break from work throughout the day to check up on their personal lives through social media.
The acceptance of workers glancing at their Facebook accounts from time to time might be shaped by the fact that nearly half of workers (47 percent) don't take a break for lunch every day, suggesting they need another opportunity for personal time.
"Across the board, work schedules have become more fluid and the lines between work and life continue to blur," concluded BambooHR. "Executives are leading the way as they embrace the power of allowing a certain level of distractions — and not only allowing it, but even encouraging it."
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