According to Graeme Wearden, in a special report to CNETAsia, and BBC Online, University of Utrecht (The Netherlands) research scientists have completed a study which shows that office workers who play computer games at their desks should be encouraged to continue playing. It has been found that online distractions actually “boost productivity and morale.”
The Dutch scientists found that “... playing computer games at work can improve an employee's job satisfaction and cut absenteeism.”
Researchers reportedly took a number of employees from a Dutch insurance firm, allowing one group to play computer games -- such as minesweeper and solitaire -- for up to one hour a day, while “restricting the others.” After a month, the employees of both groups were tested, and “those who had been permitted to play games at their desk were found to be happier about their workload and performance.”
The study’s leader, Professor Jeffrey Goldstein, said that games such as solitaire could “help people to work better by giving their brain a rest from complex work-related tasks.”
The report also stated that the scientists now “hope to repeat the study using more complicated computer games, such as strategy or combat simulations.”@@
The Dutch scientists found that “... playing computer games at work can improve an employee's job satisfaction and cut absenteeism.”
Researchers reportedly took a number of employees from a Dutch insurance firm, allowing one group to play computer games -- such as minesweeper and solitaire -- for up to one hour a day, while “restricting the others.” After a month, the employees of both groups were tested, and “those who had been permitted to play games at their desk were found to be happier about their workload and performance.”
The study’s leader, Professor Jeffrey Goldstein, said that games such as solitaire could “help people to work better by giving their brain a rest from complex work-related tasks.”
The report also stated that the scientists now “hope to repeat the study using more complicated computer games, such as strategy or combat simulations.”@@