ArsGeek

Around the time of March Madness, nearly every year an article is created about how much money is lost due to fans watching the tournament. With internet browsing, there’s even more articles based around money lost due to leisurely browsing. I could post an entire artile linking to connections between financing, and internet browsing. Now, there’s a counter argument for the issue. This time the results come from an actual doctor.

The amazing news comes all the way from Brisbane, Australia. This is where Dr. Brent Coker, of Melbourne University conducted a study, relating internet browsing in the work place to productivity. During his study, Coker coined a phrase that should spark a workplace-internet revolution: WILB (Workplace Internet Leisure Browsing).

According to Coker’s study, workers who spent 20% or less time engaging in WILB were found to be more productive during the day. 9% more productive than those who aren’t WILB’ing to be exact. Of course, anymore than 20% and you’re really cutting into work time which would go against the nature of the study.

Dr. Coker has a very common sense theory as to the increase in productivity, “People need to zone out for a bit to get back their concentration. Think back to when you were in class listening to a lecture – after about 20 minutes your concentration probably went right down, yet after a break your concentration was restored”

Coker says that taking short little breaks at certain intervals during the day is like a restart for the brain. Of course, there needs to be a limit. As staying on all day of course causes the opposite effect.

So, if your boss walks by and catches you browsing the internet at un-related activities for work, just tell him/her you’re trying to keep your concentration.

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