Workers Report "Going for the Gold" While on the Clock

August 13, 2008 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - A new survey from CareerBuilder.com indicates some workers have caught Olympic fever.

Twelve percent of workers say they plan to watch some of the Summer Olympics while they are at work, according to a CareerBuilder.com press release. Younger workers show more interest in watching the games while on the clock than their older counterparts.

Sixteen percent of workers aged 18-24 say they will catch some part of the Olympics while working, compared to 13% of workers aged 25- 34, 11% of workers in both age groups 35-44 and 45-54, and 9% of workers 55 and older.

When workers were asked which Summer Olympic sport most represents their current jobs, responses were:

  • Volleyball: It’s a team sport (20%),
  • Hurdles: There are a lot of obstacles in the way (14%),
  • Marathon : Slow and steady (13%),
  • Wrestling: I feel like I am in a holding pattern (11%),
  • Weightlifting: You’re bearing all the weight (8%), and
  • Synchronized Swimming: My co-workers and I are all on the same page (7%).

According to the press release, the Summer Olympic sports in which workers would most want to compete and win a gold medal are:

  • Swimming (37%),
  • Baseball/Softball (29%),
  • Gymnastics (26%),
  • Track and Field (23%),
  • Volleyball (23%),
  • Cycling (20%),
  • Basketball (19%), and
  • Soccer (19%).

The survey was conducted online within the U.S. by Harris Interactive on behalf of CareerBuilder.com among 7,960 U.S. employees (employed full-time; not self-employed) between May 22 and June 13, 2008.

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