Skipping Work to Watch the Playoffs

I just returned from Busch Stadium (probably my last game there before they tear it down to make way for the new one growing up next door). Very satisfying first playoff game — Cardinals victory over Padres, highlighted by Reggie Sanders Grand Slam way into the left field stands.

Back home, trying to catch up on a little reading and blogging, I found a very troubling story telling me I was part of a major economic problem.

This article talked about all the lost productivity (about $225 million) caused by employees skipping work to attend — or even just watch or listen to — the playoffs:


Major League Baseball’s playoffs start Tuesday afternoon, and so do productivity losses for U.S. employers, according to the latest estimate from an employment firm.

Outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas estimates that the playoff schedule will cost employers about $225 million this year, as employees either talk about the games or try to follow their progress during working hours.

“Right now, the divisional playoffs will have at least five games played during business hours. This could lead to unscheduled absences, early departures or, at the very least, a significant workday distraction,” said John A. Challenger, CEO of the firm.

The productivity gap potential in my hometown of St. Louis was specifically singled out:

The first scheduled game is between the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Diego Padres, in a game set to start at 1:09 p.m. ET on Tuesday [hee-hah! I was there, being unproductive!].

I’d say this isn’t really any lost productivity on a national scale. Sure, the local impact will vary, depending on which teams are in the running, but it’s not like baseball is a new phenomenon. This slack time is part of the rhythm of American life, already factored into our productivity. I remember getting to watch World Series day games during school 35 years ago.

Lighten up folks. It’s the National Pastime, for crying out loud.

Anyway, $225 million’s just a drop in the bucket:

Challenger said that the lost productivity shouldn’t make a dent in the economies of the eight cities involved. . . .

“A little downtime – even three hours’ worth – is unlikely even to register a blip on the economic radar for these cities, all of which are in the top 25 in terms of gross metropolitan product,” he said. “Together, these cities manage economic output of more than $1.6 trillion in products and services every year. It would take a major business shutdown lasting several days or weeks to put these economies at risk.”

PLAY BALL!
“Estimate: Baseball playoffs to cost employers $225M” (CNN/Money)

Photo of St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols by rcolonna via flickr