Lost productivity to March Madness a real phenomenon, study finds

Every spring, the NCAA basketball tournament tips off and people around the country call in sick, take long lunch hours or watch games at their desk, sometimes in a clandestine fashion, sometimes in the open. And just as regularly, stories follow about the lost productivity due to March Madness and how much it costs in wages and unfinished work. A group of University of Kansas researchers co-wrote a study looking at how the wild popularity of March Madness hits those who work in the sports business. Turns out, they watch the games and get less work done like everybody else, but they are quite open about it and have the support of their supervisors.