Source: Diane Swanson, 785-532-4352, swanson@k-state.edu
http://www.mediarelations.k-state.edu/WEB/News/MediaGuide/dswansonbio.html
Kansas State UniversityNews release prepared by: Keener A. Tippin II, 785-532-6415

Thursday, March 9, 2006

K-STATE BUSINESS PROFESSOR SAYS NCAA TOURNAMENT OFFICE POOLS ARE MORE THAN JUST PRODUCTIVITY BUSTERS: THEY'RE ALL-AMERICAN ILLEGAL FUN

MANHATTAN -- It's March Madness time, better known as the men's and women's NCAA basketball tournaments. And just as sure as an over-excited Dick Vitale will be on the television screaming "awesome, baaaaa-by," millions of people across the country likely will be filling out bracket sheets to predict who will be crowned the national champion.

In spite of the productivity that can be lost because of these pools, a Kansas State University associate professor of management and a business ethics education advocate, sees nothing inherently wrong with participation in these pools by employees at work -- if done in moderation.

While technically illegal, K-State's Diane Swanson said participation in such office pools can increase employee morale and output, as well as add some excitement to the mundane workday.

"Such activities at work do create a bond among employees and increase their interest in being at work and foster a climate of solidarity," she said. "Instead of people sitting solemnly around and not connecting, these kinds of things can help to connect people and create bonds around a focal point of interest. This is desirable in a climate where employees by the thousands have lost jobs due to outsourcing and whopping misconduct at the top of organizations."

According to Swanson, who holds the von Waaden business administration professorship at K-State, if the office pools are done with the knowledge of the employer and are run with fairness and no corruption, they shouldn't be a problem -- as long as conflicts of interest, such as coaches and players betting on the games, are prohibited.

"I think one key to balance out the concern is whether the employer is comfortable with this practice," Swanson said. "If the employer has knowledge of it and doesn't view it as disruptive, I do not see the pools as unethical per se, although ultimately I have to respect the letter of the law in this area."

Swanson said to check with your employer first to see if any rules exist against participating in such pools. Employees who organize office pools where money changes hands could face punishment, dismissal or even legal trouble for engaging in an illegal act. This sort of wagering is against the law in every state except Nevada, according to Swanson.

"If the employer has a policy against the practice, then I cannot say it's ethical to have it," she said.