Most employers would contend that preventing their employees from various distractions, specifically the Internet, would increase worker productivity.  Yet a recent University of Melbourne study has concluded that the opposite is true, and that small breaks actually enhance worker concentration.

“Short and unobtrusive breaks, such as a quick surf of the Internet, enables the mind to rest itself, leading to a higher total net concentration for a days’ work, and as a result, increased productivity,” said Brent Coker, the study’s author.

Now before all you Twitter and Facebook fiends get excited, the study did specify that people who suffer from Internet addictions will actually see their productivity plummet.  Well, duh, but the study now provides those bored and over-strained workers with a legitimate excuse when the boss happens to catch them watching teens “smoking” Smarties on YouTube.  In fact, send this article to your boss and suggest that daily Internet breaks will be a progressive strategy for increasing productivity and profits.  All we need now is a study to prove naps and beer also increase productivity.  Ah, that will be the day.

source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090402/lf_nm_life/us_work_internet