Dive Brief:
- "Workshopping" used to mean creative problem-solving and innovation, but now it has a less productive connotation: shopping online at work. According to a new Robert Half survey, 52% of employees plan to workshop this holiday season, either from the office or using a corporate device. Nearly half (44%) of the workshppers said their on-the-job productivity suffers due to their deal-hunting, and one-fifth said they planned to workshop for more than an hour each week.
- Workshopping is particularly problematic for tech teams because it can threaten security. In a separate Robert Half survey, 77% of tech leaders said their firm allows online shopping, but the majority prefer employees to refrain because of security risks (59%) and productivity losses (34%).
- Men were more inclined to workshop than women, and working parents more likely to do so than respondents without kids. Employees between the ages of 25 and 40 were the most likely to workshop.
Dive Insight:
The holiday season can be difficult for employers due to increased absences and decreased engagement and productivity, but employers may be able to combat those issues by ensuring employees derive meaning from their work.
Employees who find their work meaningful are more likely to be productive year-round. In fact, meaning is so important to employees that many would be willing to earn less for a more fulfilling job, according to a Betterup survey.
While the definition of "meaning" is different for each employee, autonomy, mastery and purpose can help with motivation and drive, Joanna Parke of ThoughtWorks, previously told HR Dive, citing Daniel Pink's book Drive. Organizations should also figure out their "why" and communicate it to employees.
Moreover, CEOs are increasingly aware that employee well-being is crucial for creating an engaged, loyal and productive workforce. To this end, many wellness programs are moving beyond physical wellness to address other challenges that employees face, such as mental health and financial stability.
