Embrace the Madness (EDITORS NOTE)

It’s March. The Madness (referencing the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament) is upon us. And it can be an inevitable distraction in the workplace.

Regrettably, the first two days of the wildly popular event have not yet been declared a national holiday. Many of those games are played during normal working hours, which can lead to one of two things: employees coming down with “basketball flu,” or scurrying at work to catch games and scores on their mobile devices or office computers.

But, according to a new study, businesses can actually benefit by letting their workers include some March Madness activities during the work day.

And by providing clear guidelines and organized participation, employers may even find a boost in employee morale and productivity.

According to OfficeTeam, a California-based division of staffing firm Robert Half International Inc., here are a few mistakes to avoid during the most wonderful time of the year:

Before participating in any tournament-related activities, find out your company’s policies on employee breaks, accessing the Internet for non-business purposes and decorating workspaces.      

Taking too many time-outs. If your employer is OK with it, take occasional breaks to check scores or talk hoops with colleagues, but make sure to keep up with your assignments.  

Failing to have a game plan. If you want to take time off to watch the tournament, let your boss know as far in advance as possible so he or she can manage workloads.  

It’s fine to root for your favorite school, but don’t get overly competitive in the office.   

Not being a team player. Even if you aren’t a sports fan, try to join in celebratory activities to bond with coworkers.

The championship game is scheduled April 6 in Indianapolis.

Embrace the madness.