52 percent of workers admit they will shop online while on the job this holiday season. That’s according to a study conducted by the staffing firm Robert Half Technology. Senior Recruiting Manager Carrie Lewis of New Orleans says 44 percent of those surveyed admit it hinders productivity, because of how much time they spend doing it.
“The survey did show that they will spend between 30-60 minutes a week, and out of that 52%, 20% of them will partake in the activity for an hour or more each week,” said Lewis.
The workshopping divide was starker among generational lines, with 65% of those 25-40 to admitting to it, but Lewis says there’s also a gender gap, with more men actually doing the cyber shopping while at work.
“That surprised me as well, 58% of the men admitted they will workshop, versus 48% of the women,” says Lewis.
About half of tech leaders say they’re concerned the use of work computers for personal shopping will open the door to security risks, but Lewis says that’s not stopping 77% of companies from allowing it. That being said she estimates about 10% of companies have a zero workshopping tolerance policy.
Today’s Cyber Monday deals will attract the most workshoppers, at 43% of those who partake.
In a separate survey, 77% of technology leaders say their firm allows workshopping, but 52% prefer their employees to abstain from the activity.
