The reasons for wanting to have fun in the workplace are kind of obvious. However, having a bit of fun at work makes your team happier, more productive, and it creates a company culture that others want to join. Employee satisfaction is essential to establishing a good company culture that you can brag about! A study from CIPHR, researchers found that, on average, happier employees range between 12-20 percent more productive. This means you can be happier AND do your job better simultaneously! Here are five ways to start incorporating fun into the workplace.
Communal Lunches
Nothing brings people together more than food. Support your favorite local restaurant by ordering takeout to the office. Your employees will leave these team lunches with fuller bellies and hearts after socializing over some delicious food!
Furry Coworkers
Working in an office full of furry coworkers sounds like a dream come true. Puppies around the office are fun and a great way not to leave your pup at home all day when you’re working 9-5 pm. Besides, dogs are yet another sly and fun way to increase employee productivity. A new study from Virginia Commonwealth University found that dogs in the workplace reduce employee stress levels and improve productivity!
Friday Afternoon Games
When Friday afternoon rolls around, most employees feel that TGIF mood, so why not use these positive spirits to better your team? Conduct some office games to boost energy, introduce some friendly competition, improve relationships, and develop team harmony. There are so many office games to choose from! To start, you can race around the office, bring in a basketball and mini hoop, or play office Olympic tournaments. Office games are the perfect ending to a Friday workday and a great start to the weekend.
Happy Hour
It’s essential for your team to connect outside of the workplace. When you’re outside a work environment, you can establish meaningful relationships and bonds with your coworkers. These relationships are easily transferrable to the workplace as well. Going out to happy hour is a great way to bring people together!
Check Your Attitude at the Door
Lastly, you need to check your attitude and mood when you enter the workplace. No one wants to work with someone that is always glooming around. Try to leave your personal life and emotions at the door so that you don’t affect those around you. Afterall, moods are contagious, and there’s even a scientific name for it! It’s called ‘emotional contagion,’ which psychologists at Scientific American define as “a three-step process through which one person’s feelings transfer to another.” Affect your coworkers with positive energy instead!
Get your coworkers on board with some of these fun suggestions and watch your team’s happiness, productivity, and energy boost! If you’re having fun, that’s a sign that you are comfortable enough to let you guard down, which is the perfect storm for creative ideation. Build your team in the right direction by allowing some major fun in the workplace.
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