Make Time for Fun at Work

Annually, The Great Place to Work Institute asks thousands of employees to rate their experience at work. Their rankings result in the “100 Best Companies to Work For.” 81% of employees working in these “great” companies responded positively that they are working in a fun environment. By comparison, only 62% of employees in good companies, (those that applied to be a great company, but didn’t make the cut) said that they work in a fun environment. By analysis, The Great Place to Work Institute notes that this variance between “great” and “good” companies regarding having fun at work is one of the most significant in the annual survey.

Workplace.com lists six reasons that fun can improve both work quality, and the mental health of your employees. Their list includes:

• Fun breaks up boredom and fatigue
• Fun fulfills human social needs
• Fun increases creativity and willingness to help
• Fun fulfills the need for mastery and control
• Fun improves communication
• Fun breaks up conflict and tension

With all those benefits documented by research, it’s definitely time to build some fun into the workplace.

Here a just a few of the things we’ve heard of organizations doing:

• Theme Days
  • Crazy hat day
  • Halloween costume contest
  • Dress up as your favorite character
  • Bring your dog to work day

• Create a Play Area
  • Ping pong table
  • Puzzles
  • Crafts
  • Book exchange
  • Lego’s
  • Foosball table

• Talent shows

• Charity events

• Lunch Events
  • Pot lucks
  • Bake sales
  • Ice cream social

• Take it Outside
  • Paper airplane contest
  • Volleyball
  • Paintball
  • Frisbee
  • Baseball
  • BBQ
  • Bowling
  • Go-Karts
  • Mini golf
  • Walking
  • Zoo
  • Cruise

• Relax
  • On-site chair massage
  • Vibrating recliners
  • Yoga lessons

Want to reduce turnover, recruit top talent with ease, improve productivity and build teamwork and camaraderie into your organization or work group? Be sure to add a liberal dose of good fun to the workplace. Hang a sign that says, “Gone to have fun. Be back after lunch” and let the good times begin.

What about your organization: what fun things does management encourage employees to do in your workplace?