Online sales killing productivity

Huge discounts and irresistible offers on online shopping is the current fad. But with employees shopping online during work hours, their productive output is diminishing

Not everyone is a shopaholic. At least not online. However, how many of you refused to take a quick peek at what was on offer during Flipkart's Big Billion Day?

The flash sale was on October 6, a working day. And with high-speed internet connection at their disposal, employees were busy checking out the best bargains on Flipkart, keeping their office work aside.

According to reports, employees are not as productive as before, thanks to the huge discount sales online. You may have successfully managed to lay your hands on your favourite mobile phone that remained elusive until now for lack of funds. But that excitement doesn't stop there, you text and boast about your prized possession to your friends, relatives and cousins till you get the product in hand - all this while a priority project at office is crying for attention.

Employees not only shop during office hours but are also not ashamed of giving their office address for product delivery. Employers are naturally fuming about their helpless state. A few companies have successfully built firewalls to block access to these sites. However, smart people know better to penetrate with proxy addresses. This is not it. Smartphones make it easier to shop as most of the popular shopping sites have a mobile app that makes shopping hassle-free.

And with popular e-retailer Amazon’s Diwali Dhamaka Week just beginning, one can only imagine the amount of productivity that can be meted from employees.