Silly season slowdown 'bad news for firms'

Survey finds that more than a third of workers ease off in the days before Christmas. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey

More than a third of workers have slacked off in the lead-up to Christmas, spending more than an hour a day socialising or leaving the office early, a survey has found.

The research, commissioned by Leadership Management Australasia, asked more than 700 workers in New Zealand and Australia about their productivity during the past week.

It found 38 per cent of respondents had been less productive than during the rest of the year, wasting 14 per cent of the working day.

Most of this time was spent socialising around the workplace or with clients, at office parties, morning or afternoon teas, or leaving work early, the research found.

Leadership Management Australasia managing director Grant Sexton said lost productivity was a serious matter during a time companies could "least afford anything but 100 per cent effort from their people".

"For bottom-line performance, there is quite a serious side to the silly season," Mr Sexton said.

A quarter of workers seemed to agree with this sentiment, with the survey finding 27 per cent picked up the slack and worked harder than usual during the four days in the lead-up to Christmas.

This group worked three to four extra hours, but they were paid for only 80 per cent of their time at the office, the research found.

Almost nine in 10 workers said working less than usual near the holidays was normal.

"No one would begrudge the average worker the chance to take the foot off the organisational pedal in the lead-up to Christmas," Mr Sexton said. "However, it's clear that by doing so, there's the potential of substantially reducing the productivity of many organisations."

Twenty-seven per cent of respondents were executives or managers, 51 per cent middle managers or supervisors, and 22 per cent other employees.

Employers and Manufacturers Association advisory services manager David Lowe said it was natural that people were looking to put a tough year behind them.

"It's a festive season and I think for many, many businesses, and the people who work in them, 2010 has been very difficult, and we're looking forward to a break," Mr Lowe said.

But many workplaces would want to tie up any loose ends before heading off on holidays, causing a rush for some.

THE NUMBERS

* 38 per cent slacked off and were less productive than the rest of the year.

* 27 per cent worked harder during four days in the lead-up to Christmas.