This is what makes employees happy at work | The Way We Work, a TED series
Benefits of a fun workplace
Here are some benefits of creating a fun workplace:
Reduces employee absences
Employees in fun workplaces are often happier and healthier. Employee stress and anxiety may decline as a result of the calm environment. As a result, staff members might take fewer sick days.
Improves employee productivity
Fun workplaces often create happier, more engaged employees. More engaged workers frequently feel more strongly connected to their work, which boosts productivity. This level of involvement may also assist workers in managing challenging personal situations at work, preventing demotivation or withdrawal.
Improves communication
Having fun at work frequently produces a more laid-back atmosphere This enables coworkers to become friends and get to know one another better. They gain a better understanding of one another’s character traits and viewpoints and may feel more at ease expressing their genuine opinions during conversations.
Fosters collaboration
The relaxed environment of a fun workplace often promotes trust. Because they see one another as teammates, employees are better able to cooperate. They better understand each others dislikes, likes and traits. This aids workers in creating routines and guidelines for mutual respect and productive collaboration.
Promotes creativity
Fun in the workplace often encourages creativity. Companies put an emphasis on making sure employees enjoy their work, assisting them in learning more and feeling enthused about their jobs. This frequently encourages more conversations and teamwork, which produces fresh ideas.
Attracts an audience
A fun workplace may attract an audience. Promoting your brand by sharing genuine accounts of your workplace on social media may help. Potential clients or new employees who value seeing your company’s more human side may pay attention to you. This frequently fosters mutual respect and familiarity between your business and others.
Encourages advocacy
Fun workplaces often encourage advocacy. Employees who are happy with their jobs promote your company by telling others about their experiences. This advocacy aids in creating a favorable public perception of your company.
Improves motivation
Fun workplaces may improve employee motivation. To foster a fun, upbeat work environment, many organizations reward or recognize their employees for a job well done. This often motivates employees to succeed.
Increases employee satisfaction
Workplaces that are enjoyable for employees may make them feel more valued, which raises employee satisfaction. Satisfied employees are often less likely to leave your company. This raises retention rates for your business and reduces the amount of money spent on hiring procedures.
Improves employee task performance
A fun work environment may motivate employees to do their jobs more effectively. They might be more invested in their work or have a different attitude toward it. This might enable them to perform better, raising your organization’s success rates.
What does a fun workplace look like?
A fun workplace is often a relaxed, supportive work environment. To boost morale, these workplaces frequently host a variety of formal and informal events. By reminding staff members of their value to their managers, coworkers, and the organization as a whole, these events assist in boosting morale.
Upper management or human resources specialists may be in charge of creating a fun work environment. However, some choose to form teams of various employee types in other organizations in order to plan events and foster a fun work environment. Activities may include:
Fun workplaces promote relaxation, enjoyment, and joy between managers and staff. This frequently entails complimenting and embracing one another’s talents. People who work in enjoyable environments frequently concentrate on the positive aspects of any situation and look for ways to move forward rather than focusing on the negative.
Tips for creating a fun workplace
Here are some ideas for how to make the workplace enjoyable:
Make your work meaningful
Remind employees why their work matters. Ensure each employee knows your companys mission, vision and purpose. Share testimonials from satisfied customers to highlight the significance of what your business does
Provide challenges and problem-solving activities
Provide employees with challenges or problem-solving activities. These could be regular activities or ongoing friendly competitions or projects. These difficulties might inspire workers to think creatively and innovate more.
Make time to celebrate success
Make time to celebrate company-wide successes, milestones and holidays. Because they know the business will reward or recognize them for their efforts, employees are frequently inspired to work harder. Ensure you include employee events and parties in your budget. Find out what kinds of events your staff would enjoy by asking them.
Listen to your employees
Ask your staff what improvements they would like to see made to the workplace. Discuss with your staff on a regular basis what makes them happy at work and what doesn’t. Pay attention to their preferences and the factors that inspire them to report for duty each day. Plan your upcoming work-related fun by considering their feedback and thoughts on previous initiatives.
Establish clear goals
Establish specific goals for your business and make sure every employee is aware of them and their contribution to achieving the goals. Employees are frequently motivated by goals, which give them context for their work. Also, shared goals encourage teamwork and camaraderie.
Dedicate a day to fun
Dedicate an entire workday to fun. Consider celebrating holidays like Fun at Work Day. Plan a day filled with various team-building activities, projects, and other informal ways for workers to interact. Having a catered lunch and snacks will make the day even more special.
Create health and wellbeing initiatives
Create health and wellbeing initiatives in the workplace. These could support staff in developing healthy habits and general wellness. Investigate your options for monitoring your initiatives through your benefits system or HR system.
Upgrade your casual Friday
Transform your casual Friday into a super casual Friday. In addition to allowing casual attire, think about offering lunch or happy hour. This promotes a calm environment to enhance interactions among coworkers and happiness.
Host friendly competitions
Host friendly competitions among employees. Consider organizing a casual sports tournament, monthly challenges or quizzes. Provide awards for the winners as motivation.
Create a special social network
Make an exclusive social network where employees can connect and exchange amusing online content. Consider setting up distinct instant messaging channels for various employee interests or humor. However, it’s crucial to establish guidelines for what’s acceptable in these areas.
Decorate the workplace
Decorate the workplace throughout the year. Encourage staff members to personalize their desks with photos or other items of their choosing. Organise themed desk decorating competitions, and deck out the entire office for various occasions, occasions, holidays, or themes.
Give each employee a day-by-day calendar
Consider providing a personal daily calendar to each employee at the start of the year. Try to match the calendar subject to the employee’s interests, such as their favorite animals or television programs, by selecting a unique calendar subject for each employee. These calendars often promote daily conversations between employees.
Celebrate individual employees
Celebrate each employee, such as their birthday and work anniversary. Declare their birthday in person or via the primary means of communication at work. Think about giving them a gift card or allowing them to select a prize by spinning a wheel.
Consider developing an employee reward or award system. For instance, permit staff members to recommend one another for a job well done. Consider adding a bell that staff members can ring to signal the entire office to applaud them when they receive positive client feedback or accomplish something noteworthy.
Create a wall of fame
Create a wall of fame to recognize employees. Include honors, client gratitude letters, and any news articles that mention the company. Include unposed images of employees from their days at work or significant company events.
Create art together
Create art together as an office. Think about getting everyone together to work on a single project, like painting the office and making a mural. You could also give each employee the materials they need to make their own unique art project.
Host non-work related meetings
Host meetings to discuss items other than work. This allows employees to get to know one another better. These gatherings might take place before or after work, such as monthly happy hours, or during business hours, like skill development sessions.
Send handwritten notes
At some point during the year, mail a handwritten note to every employee. Take this chance to thank the employee for their dedication by showing your appreciation. Make sure to add specifics about the employee and their accomplishments to personalize the note.
Take a break to dance
Play a few songs at the same time each day. Play music, for instance, in the late afternoon when staff members may start to feel fatigued or lethargic. While the music is playing, encourage staff to stretch, dance, or stroll around the office.
Allow for flextime
Provide employees with flexible work schedules. Give workers the freedom to choose their own working hours so they can better manage their personal and work lives. To add variety to employees’ workdays, consider allowing them to work from home occasionally.
Remind employees to take breaks
Remind employees to take breaks throughout their workday. Encourage staff to take advantage of this time by engaging in something they enjoy, like taking a walk or reading a book. This may help employees feel refreshed.
Consider an office pet
If possible, adopt a dog for the office or permit staff to bring their dogs to work. A dog may ease tension, promote interpersonal communication, and foster a climate of trust among staff members. However, it’s crucial to discuss potential allergies or other concerns with employees.
FAQ
How can I make my workplace fun?
- Trade “forced fun” for organized fun. Your team members are individuals with different personalities and interests.
- Foster a positive environment. …
- Encourage quick, fun breaks. …
- Share meals. …
- Build rapport. …
- Choose your own adventure. …
- Create challenges and embrace gamification.
Why is it important to have fun in the workplace?
A key component of employee happiness is having fun at work. Having fun promotes a more positive outlook, higher levels of wellbeing, and better mental health. Organizations reporting higher employee wellbeing levels experience lower levels of presenteeism, absenteeism, and errors related to their jobs.
What is fun in the workplace?
Fun in the workplace often encourages creativity. Companies put an emphasis on making sure employees enjoy their work, assisting them in learning more and feeling enthused about their jobs. This frequently encourages more conversations and teamwork, which produces fresh ideas.
