Study: One in four white collar workers game at work
Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a job like ours that lets -- nay, encourages -- you to play games while on the job. That doesn't seem to stop many white collar workers, though, according to a recent study commissioned by casual game maker PopCap.The study, conducted by Information Solutions Group, found that 24 percent of white collar workers played games while on the job. More surprising (or perhaps less, depending on how cynical you are) a full 35 percent of the senior executives surveyed said they gamed at work. Of those who played at work, 53 percent said they did so at least once a day and 14 percent admitted they played during business meetings or conference calls. The overwhelming majority of work gamers said they did it to "feel more relaxed and less stressed out."
Before you go decrying the death of the American work ethic, realize that the survey was conducted on 2,842 random visitors to Popcap.com, a group likely to be playing games anyway. The results might also be skewed because the overwhelming majority (72 percent) of respondents were female, and, as we all know, women make up a majority of casual gamers. Still, take comfort the next time you sneak in a quick game of coffee break Tetris. You're not alone.











Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
NaeemTHM @ Sep 5th 2007 1:33PM
Typical day of work for me:
20% Gaming
30% Staring at ceiling
40% Staring at keyboard
10% Actual work
DO YOUR OWN DAMN TPS REPORTS!
samfish @ Sep 5th 2007 2:21PM
My typical day is this:
I just spend about half of my work day floating around on sites like Joystiq and Kotaku.
It's amazing that I get anything done, furthermore push two magazines out all by myself, for the most part.
Almack64 @ Sep 5th 2007 2:28PM
Man this actually made me think of all time I actually waste on this site.
*Starts feeling guilty
Umm I think I'm going to go do some actual work now
Mr. P @ Sep 5th 2007 2:37PM
In a given week I probably only do about fifteen minutes of real, actual, work.
Calviin @ Sep 5th 2007 2:43PM
You spend too much time looking at the keyboard. The ceiling has GOT to be more interesting than the alphabet.
hvnlysoldr @ Sep 5th 2007 1:34PM
I remember when I finally watched Office Space. I brought in the movie in Spanish class and had managed to get our group out of doing a skit on the movie because we spent so much time watching it.
Draco @ Sep 5th 2007 1:45PM
another statistic they forgot.
100% of all respondants visited Popcap.com games at least once. I guess that means roughly 100% of all humans use their services.
I mean seriously, thats like if you got a phone call for a servey and they ask you if you would like to answer some questions, 100% of the people who take the server will have answered yes to that question.
Draco @ Sep 5th 2007 1:46PM
Oh my lord. I can't spell Survey.
Sean @ Sep 5th 2007 1:50PM
Guilty. I give it up to work for helping me beat a bunch of games. Bathroom breaks, indeed.
GRANTED @ Sep 5th 2007 1:56PM
although i spend way too much time on here, i definitely dont play games at work. that would cross a line.
ok i have shit to do. that nintendo analogy forum was too much fun.
Shagittarius @ Sep 5th 2007 2:06PM
I just read on CNN I think that American workers generate the most money per individual out of any other country. So I guess that means either the 75% that don't game are picking up the slack or the 25% that game can write up TPS reports and frag your ass at the same time.
WiNG @ Sep 5th 2007 2:20PM
Casual gaming? But what percent of workers play hardcore MMOs and FPS at work?
Well, I mean, other than the gold farmers.
Almack64 @ Sep 5th 2007 2:26PM
Yeah I would really doubt it if many people would play those types of games at work. That would take some real skill and ballz (or gutz, see I'm politicly correct)
Almack64 @ Sep 5th 2007 2:24PM
I wondering the percentage of people who read this gaming blog at work.
The only times I've gamed at work is when this site actually links to a game that for some reason is not blocked (ie the Impossible Quiz, that anti-KFC game).
T3H WICKERMAN @ Sep 5th 2007 2:53PM
Its joystiq and x360a.org all day for me. Entertain me you whores.
hvnlysoldr @ Sep 5th 2007 3:05PM
Make us. D'oh!
Vegnagun @ Sep 5th 2007 3:27PM
I shortened your calf tendon to theoretically increase your jumping ability.
hvnlysoldr @ Sep 5th 2007 3:40PM
Now I can jump 5 times my own height. And if I get hit I shrink to a midget but still manage 10 times my height. Thanks convicted clown.
Matt B @ Sep 5th 2007 3:41PM
As an IT professional, my day can be hectic or slow. When I have down time, I'm on here and other gaming sites. I love my job. I can't game though. This laptops nvidia 4200 has a tough time with some of the videos put up here much less gaming on it. XD
xXFenixKnight13Xx @ Sep 5th 2007 3:44PM
Yup just about all the women here in my dept play casual games on yahoogames or msngames. Im not really into casual games but they are addicted lol! Forget Jewel Quest! lol!!
xXFenixKnight13Xx @ Sep 5th 2007 3:48PM
Im usually on here only when Im at work. I have 3 kids so I usually dont kill too much time reading blogs at home lol. The Stiq Rulez!!!
Platinum_Skeet @ Sep 5th 2007 4:49PM
I work at an ISP (won't name names) but we're allowed to bring in laptops and games to work.
I play 360 all day and we have LAN parties every now in then on our laptops playing BF2. Everyone else just plays WOW...
blooh @ Sep 5th 2007 7:02PM
in other words, this survey means jack squat
thecrimsonmoogle @ Sep 6th 2007 4:27AM
At my work we dont have a lunch time, simply have to eat when were hungry and then straight after it's work again. I hate my job, steel detailing in South-Africa.