We’ve all worked in various work environments where the degrees of fun differ from each organization, department and/or team. In the same organization, you’ve probably seen one department organize events, team building outings, fun contests, etc while another department may be a bit more subdued. Is it really OK to have fun at work? Yes and it’s absolutely essential to employee morale, productive and results!

Why is it important?

Depending on the type of work we do, it can be stressful, monotonous, challenging among other adjectives and without mixing it up, we may find ourselves bored, burned out, isolated, etc. When we participate in anytime of workplace event, it increases our employee engagement with others! We are human beings that like to interact with other people which enhances the employee connection. Our workplace is where we spend the majority of our productive hours and it’s far more fulfilling if we have strong bonds with our peers, colleagues and leaders! Mixing it up a bit after having a stressful call or customer can help people release the stress and return to balance. When we have fun it strengthens bonds and helps employees who may not normally interact with each other get to know their coworkers! Organizing a fun event can build lasting memories which employees definitely remember and will reminisce with current and new employees. This all helps boost morale which is key to productivity and exceeding goals. Happy employees are productive employees!

Balance is Key

I am an huge advocate for having fun at work but there must be a balance. The bottom line is that everyone needs to meet the expectations of the job so in any organization, the results are important. If there is too much focus on organizing events and less on results, it may adversely impact results. If there is too much focus on results and none on having a bit of fun, it may adversely impact results. So it’s essential to find the balance! Sprinkling in fun doesn’t always require significant time from the desk or oodles of time to organize. It can be simple, quick and spontaneous!

Workplace Ideas

There are probably people in your organization who are creative and either enjoy brainstorming ideas or organizing events. Identify these people and unleash their creative outlets! The more we do, the more people will participate. Over the years, I worked with many creative employees and here are a few ideas. Are these all that enlightening or complicated? No, not really, it’s just a little nudge of what we can easily organize.

• Electronic Bingo - we used electronic sign up sheets for those who wanted to participate so only the bingo numbers were sent to the participants. Everyone remained at their desk but would receive emails with the numbers. Very well received! (Not well received when sent to everyone vs just participants.)

• Fun Facts - Every new employee provided a fun fact about themselves which helped coworkers learn about the person. There are some amazing fun facts out there! (I usually heard the comment that they did not have anything interesting at first and then just asking a couple of questions, everyone had  at least one amazing fact.)

• Fun Facts Match Game - 15 leaders provided a fun fact about themselves and the staff had to match the fact with the leader. This was a great way to learn more about the senior managers.

• Fun Committee - There was a group of employees comprised of leaders and individual contributors who met regularly to brainstorm, organize and promote regular events. The contributors rotated in and out and we always had a leader involved to ensure events we appropriate, organized and properly timed.

• Meet and Greet with teams - Often times we work in a large organization and we don’t know our coworkers. We would spend 1-2 minutes with each coworker and rotate to the next to learn more about our peers. It was extremely interactive and very well received. Depending on the size of the department, it may take 2-3 events over several months for meet everyone.

• Potlucks and Contests: These are easy and fun! The ideas are endless from salsa, chili cookoff, mac and cheese, cupcakes, etc. We also had cultural potlucks where coworkers brought in various international foods with the history of dishes. Contests included basketball with nerf balls, putting contest with golf course around the office, holiday stocking and cubicle, fall festival costumes, etc. The ideas are truly endless!

• Volunteer Efforts - Being involved in the local community and local charities are always great ways for employee engagement. Food drives, clothing drives, volunteering, etc will get employees involved and it’s extremely rewarding.

• Random Drawings - These are always well received where a winner’s name is drawn and then announced! Employees love when others win something!

The bottom line is that there are endless ways to incorporate a little fun at work. It does not need to be time consuming or expensive. An event should focus on positive interaction, human connection and lightning up the moment! Employee morale will increase and allow coworkers to loosen up and have laugh! Smiles are laughter are contagious and every so often is needed in any workplace!!