Every March, the frenzy of the NCAA’s Basketball Tournaments spill from TVs into offices—and with it comes a quiet tug-of-war between productivity and morale.
On one hand, employers do have a point. Games tip off during work hours, and the lure of checking scores, tweaking brackets, or streaming a buzzer-beater can chip away at focus. A new analysis from employment firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas estimates that U.S. employers will lose out on more than $12 billion during the tournament, which runs from March 17 through April 6, due to a drop in productivity and more employee absences.
On the other hand, that same excitement can actually boost workplace culture. Friendly bracket competitions, shared conversations, and a bit of collective hype can increase camaraderie in ways that a normal workweek rarely does. For many teams, it’s one of those rare moments when people across departments suddenly have something in common.
Communication with employees is also vital. If the absences will cause unavoidable impacts, such as affecting an impending deadline, “simply communicating these ahead of time — internally or externally — mitigates the fallout and manages expectations so no one is surprised or caught off guard.”, states Caitlin Kamm, director of people growth at San Francisco-based software firm Envoy.
Workplace Fun or Legal Foul?
In California, gambling laws are stricter than a whistle-happy referee. California Penal Code Section 337a makes it illegal for individuals or employers to participate in gambling in the workplace. Yes, that includes seemingly innocent “office pools” with a buy-in, even if it’s just a few bucks. While it’s unlikely that the bracket police will storm your breakroom, this is just a friendly reminder that technically, office pools involving money fall into the illegal gambling category.
How Can You Make It Legal?
- Offer Free-to-enter contests with non-cash prizes, like a gift card or bragging rights.
- Recognition or fun rewards (think Best Bracket Trophy or a front-row parking spot) keep things lighthearted without crossing legal lines.
Stay Away From These Fouls:
- Cash buy-ins or betting with money, even small amounts, technically violate California’s anti-gambling laws.
- Winner-takes-all cash prizes are a definite no-no, even if it’s just “a friendly wager.”
Because the reality is, trying to shut it down completely often backfires—while embracing it (within reason) can turn a potential productivity dip into a morale win.
While brackets may dent the bottom line, they can also strengthen the people responsible for it.
