Here’s one last view of March Madness and the impact it has on workforce productivity. For the record, I haven’t had a single comment or heard anyone argue (at all) that it has any negative impact whatsoever. It just goes to show you: Sometimes the things that get the most negative attention have the least amount of negative impact.

From an analyst at a large insurance company in Hartford, Connecticut: “I read your piece about productivity during March Madness. I can tell you that in some departments it probably does have an impact, though I don’t believe it’s necessarily a bad thing. My department—or I should say the people I sit closest to—are not into sports at all and it drives me crazy!! I can hear people a few ‘cubes’ over talking about the game last night, etc., and I wish I could jump on over and join in!

“The reason I think it is a good thing is because I look at it as teamwork. It’s sharing something (in my case, an obsession) for a sport that others are interested in and it brings you closer as a team. Yes, there is jibber-jabbering going on, but then everyone gets right back to work with a better attitude. I’m sure there are some people who take advantage of company time but that eventually shows up in their performance, and they are the type who would take advantage anyway. My worry is when March Madness is all over—that’s when I go through withdrawals!! Then it’s on to the Red Sox!”