Researchers Claim Gaming At Work Good For You

Thanks to the BBC for their article discussing the effects of playing videogames at work. According to the article: "Scientists from the University of Utrecht have studied the effects of game playing on 60 employees in a Dutch insurance firm", and charted "how [workers] felt about the work they do and their job", finding people gave more positive responses after they played simple games such as Minesweeper. The scientists behind the survey argue "...that, instead of games being a waste of time at work, they might help personal productivity and make people feel better about their jobs", and are now intending "...to do a much larger-scale study, using more complicated games which involve strategy decisions or role playing."

Comments

Type of work might have a bearing..

[jubalj]

For people who genuinely enjoy their work, games are just going to be distraction..

This preliminary study being conducted at a Insurance firm, may infact be bringing out the fact that the workers were bored... and (therefore) easily entertained by simple games.

Besides they havent really mentioned how productivity was measured, the fact that people 'feel better' about their job, although important, doesnt corelate with productivity/bottom line stuff.

Hope bosses realize

[Lord_Dweomer]

I know there are some people out there who when they play computer games, become consumed with them with complete disregard for other more important things. However, the vast majority of the population can handle only playing a game for a little bit and getting the rest of your work done and making sure that the game doesn't interfere with your work or the office life.

Why is it then that the second some PBH sees you playing a game, do they assume you've been playing it nonstop since you got in to work? Even after you explain that you were just taking a 10 minute break?

Please Slashdotters. Should you be in a position to manage people, or should you ever rise to that position, PLEASE for the love of GOD, let people have a little recreation time, if broken up enough throughout the day, not only will it significantly increase productivity, but it will also make your underlings think you're a good boss for allowing it.