Is online gaming in the office a serious problem?

The New York Times' Career Coach takes a look at online gaming in the workplace. A recent survey indicates that 24% of employees admit to playing computer games in the workplace -- a statistic that may leave a lot of managers none too pleased.

Somewhat surprisingly, employers are mixed in their responses to online gaming. Some have chosen to block all gaming sites, while others have only blocked a few. Many have no clear policy, and some even believe it can be a valid way for workers to recharge their batteries, provided that it takes place in moderation.

Depending on what they're playing, I would argue that an occasional break for a computer game could be very productive -- certainly more so than office gossip around the water cooler. Remember, Warren Buffett has said that he spends roughly 10% of his productive hours playing bridge -- often online, sometimes with Bill Gates. Given that these are the two richest men we have, it's safe to say that their gaming hasn't hindered their productivity too much.

The latest generation of workers grew up on video games, and I suspect that gaming will only become more widespread, and more acceptable, within the office environment.