The U.S. Department of Labor released the findings of a new study today, calling into question the accuracy of the National Productivity Index (NPI).

The National Productivity Index, a composite of statistics ranging from length of workday to average monthly income, is used by many Federal Government Departments to determine policy and is used as a basic gague of the 'health' of the American workforce.

The Labor Department's study shows a sharp decline in the NPI over the last 3 years.

"We're not exactly sure what's going on," says Bob Sacamano, Labor's Cheif Statistician. "The regional NPI's for most of the country are fine; but the Baltimore, Maryland region is really throwing off the curve." When asked to elucidate, Sacamano offered "We're pretty sure it is only one person affecting the numbers in a negative way. While we don't have hard data, many of our observers in the greater Baltimore are have noticed massive amounts of posts to a website called 'Diaryland' by a corporate worker during business hours." That, coupled with the increasing sightings of an individual on 'lunch breaks' well before and well after the traditional lunch hour leads Sacamano to believe that one unfocused worker is throwing off the results of this national study. "We know his name is Mike, we know he works somewhere in the Baltimore area, and we know he doesn't take his work too seriously." Sacamano says. "We're on the lookout for this guy. I'd honestly like to meet him - I had no idea anyone could slack so much!"