Surprisingly, surfing the Web and spending time on Facebook may actually boost productivity, according to Human Resources Executive Online. The researchers cited when people become bored or need to do something for their family or personal business, they may begin looking online for something to read. This can also happen when workers have finished something stressful or particularly difficult as a way of rewarding themselves and getting back into a calm frame of mind.
In other words, people who are starting to read online content like BuzzFeed or find GIFs to share with their co-workers may actually be in a state that isn't particularly productive anyway. By taking a short break, they are readying themselves for another period of hard work.
"Using technology is really not [any] different than traditional breaks like drinking coffee, talking a walk or stretching," said Sung Doo Kim a researcher at the Carl H. Lindner College of Business at UC and leader of the study, in an interview with HRE Online. "At this point, management needs to be a little bit more open to this, loosen up and [develop] a policy that's constantly updated [as technology evolves]."
Another specialist in technology, Mark Royal, added that the lines are starting to blur between work and professional life. He believes that knowing how to successfully permit people to take breaks and still get their work done will allow for greater productivity overall. In effect, HR should focus less on how people are managing their time on a minute-to-minute basis and more on whether people are getting their work done by the end of the day.
Other ways to boost productivity
Forbes, which also recently covered the benefits of social media and its ability to make people more productive, added a few other tricks to helping employees become better workers. The publication explains that people tend to be happiest when they are doing busy work. The reason seems to be that people enjoy accomplishing something tedious they may otherwise put off.
Taking a break from technology in general can also be a good idea. According to Start Up Smart, people who spend time away from their computer screens can benefit from less eye strain and fewer headaches. Additionally, walking around and talking to people are more refreshing than typing out messages on a screen or watching YouTube videos.
Multitasking doesn't always work
While some people can multitask effectively, many cannot, and even something like constantly checking one's email can prove to be a time sink that ultimately hurts more than helps productivity.
Technological advances that can force multitasking in a way that is not helpful include mobile alerts or email pop-ups. These ultimately draw attention away from the job at hand.
The office temperature can make a difference
According to Forbes, controlling the temperature of an office can alter moods in such a way that it increases or decreases productivity. If the room is too cold, people feel a sense of isolation and depression, but if the room is too warm, people feel antsy. This is especially true during the summer, when people are already less productive because of the good weather.
The most appropriate temperature is between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.