Not the eclipse (although there was that) but the purported associated productivity blackout - $700 million worth, according to some estimates.
The estimates have been laughed at in a lot of circles. The path of totality was a mere two minutes; people could just as easily have wasted that time at the office in front of Instagram or Facebook. "People just aren't working flat out while at their desks," wrote one author on Forbes. "They just aren't."
What Makes People Want to Work?
It's true. People can always find excuses not to work. The real question is...what makes them want to...and not just minute to minute during a celestial event, but over the long haul?The answer: look at the company. In general, research has found that where people work (and how they feel about said employer) has a huge impact on productivity - much bigger than the effect of the particular job they do.
We asked people what makes them feel great about their employer. What they told us:
They feel their well-being is supported
Carefully thought out benefits platforms have been designed to take on real work/life challenges such as child care and unpredictable schedules.
They have career opportunities
Growth and professional goals are supported via tangible assistance for education and skill development.
They have successful personal lives as well as careers
Work and life are not considered separate entities and people feel comfortable being candid about family matters that may affect the job.
The above three elements top the list of what people had to say in our Dream Company study. And the rewards were clear. People employed by these companies are stars; they're more engaged; they're more loyal; and they're more productive. And with the support of their organization, they're also more likely to bounce back from a disruption - even a major disruption, such as the moon blocking out the sun.
Chances are on Monday, people who felt great about their organizations probably gazed up at the sky for a while and then got back to work. While those who felt less than stellar about their companies might have extended the moment as yet another reason to have their heads in the clouds...and potentially left their employer with a portion of a $700 million black hole.
