Work smarter

About half of Korean office workers seem to be trading stocks online while at work.
It means they spend time smiling and frowning about the rise and fall of the stock market. They check the prices, order transactions and read stock news at work while using company facilities.
A research institute revealed this practice. In the survey, 23 percent of interviewees said they constantly check stock prices.
Half of those surveyed said their stock activities conflicted with company work duties and 31 percent felt nervous when they couldn’t access the information due to out-of-office work or meetings. It is obvious that the phenomenon is becoming more prevalent, especially with the bull market.
Taking a short rest and dedicating oneself to stock trading during work hours is entirely different.
And it’s not just about tracking stocks. A large number of employees are surfing the Web or e-mailing for personal reasons.
Personal calls are also made at work, not to mention computer games and online shopping.
As a result, Korean workers spend more than 10 hours a day at work, which is the most among OECD countries. But Korea’s productivity is only 23rd.
Workers may stay at work all day, but they are not as effective as other salaried people in other countries.
More and more companies in the United States are restricting the e-mailing for personal use during work hours.
Shinhan Bank has a concentrated work time in the morning that encourages employees to focus only on work for three hours between 9 a.m. until noon.
The most important aspect, however, is the attitude of workers. While working it is important to do one’s best. That way workers can demand proper compensation from the company. Management, on the other hand, must realize that keeping employees at work as long as possible is not the only way to increase productivity. It must provide an environment where people can be more efficient.