"Boss Button" for NCAA Tournament

It is estimated that nearly $2 billion is lost in work productivity during the spring tournament in NCAA men's basketball, commonly referred to as March Madness. This is done (or, rather, nothing is being done) by millions of workers sneaking away from work, either physically to view games or via monitors at their desks. Since the tournament is so popular and CBS Sportsline will be streaming the first 56 games over the internet in their entirety this year, they have decided to help out their loyal fans by offering a "boss button."

"Boss buttons" are applications used to hide whatever a person shouldn't be watching on their computer monitors from other prying eyes, like their boss'. Once the viewer hits the "boss button," a spread sheet or some other predetermined image or screensaver appears on the monitor. CBS is offering MMOD (March Madness on Demand) with a "boss button" in anticipation of the massive viewership this year that will have NCAA basketball fans risking their jobs to see games in the tournament.

This writer has worked in retail and as a teacher during NCAA tournaments of past years, constantly searching for ways to get into the break room so as to view the current game being aired. My supervisors can only thank the heavens that this writer didn't work on an internet accessing computer or have a laptop computer with wireless capability with which to access the games. A rough estimate would place the total man-hours lost by this writer personally would amount to a couple of workdays. And, remember, this was without a computer.

This writer can only imagine the number of man-hours lost by businesses that rely on computer work alone.

Being a true fan of college basketball has led to a myriad of excuses to find a television. And just as many excuses for being near one when the boss came unexpectedly into the room. This writer would find ways to be in the break room, increase the number of break-time minutes, and go to lunch earlier and return from lunch later (only later worked in teaching). Now, however, with computers in every classroom, not to mention owning a wireless laptop computer, access is simpler.

And a "boss button" could be a job saver. Although the classroom setting lends itself well to unobserved watching of the tournament, especially if the teacher has their own personal computer and/or laptop, there would still be good reason to have a "boss button" available. Not only could you use it for those unexpected visits from the administrative staff but also for when the students decide to approach your desk (don't want an inquisitive student ratting you out to the principal, now do you?). Because in this writer's primary line of work, whether it has been in various retail positions or as a public school teacher, productivity is still the bottom line.

And you don't want your supervisor finding reasons to terminate your employment. Being unproductive is definitely a reason for the boss to fire you.

Your boss does not need an "employee button" to do that.

Source:

"CBS SportsLine Offers NCAA March Madness on Demand," BroadcastNewsroom.com