'TIS THE SEASON TO BE PRODUCTIVE.

It is the most wonderful time of the year--for worker productivity. Professionals simply may be looking to land on the "nice" list, but 65% of respondents in a recent Accountemps survey said they get more work done during the demanding holiday season.

While employees in general noted an increase in their work performance, there were differences by market. Among professionals surveyed in 28 U.S. cities, roughly three-quarters of respondents in Miami, Chicago, and San Francisco believe they are more productive during the holidays. However, only about half of workers in Boston, Des Moines, and St. Louis indicate they experience higher seasonal productivity.

Of the respondents who see their output falling at this time of year, personal commitments (36%) and greater year-end workloads (31%) are noted as the main culprits. Other impediments cited include cold/flu season (17%) and holiday shopping (16%).

"It can be crunch time for workers as they rush to complete year-end projects while also juggling personal commitments and other demands," says Michael Steinitz, executive director of Accountemps. "People are motivated to get work...