Can Work be fun?
Can work be fun? What makes work fun? Can it always be fun? What is fun Workplace?
When we think of work! The thing that comes into our minds is an office setting where you have to work all day! With a professional environment. Many of us, when we think of work or a job, we can never think of the word ‘Fun workplace’.
Many of businesses and companies think that the way to maximize their company’s productivity is to work, work and work all day.
But that is not true. Now, many companies have understood that making the work environment fun is a must. Many of the companies have created such environments where employees look forward to work daily.
Also, the companies have completely known that work can be fun.
Fun is subjective and fulfilling. When employers look forward to the concept of fun in the workplace environment, this can be beneficial to the employees and can also be beneficial for the work.
Having a fun environment at work helps to motivate employees. It also helps employees in team building and creatively do their work.
We all know that if we follow our passion or our interest, the work or job we do for life will be fun ! You will see an element of fun.
We’ve all heard the famous Mark Twain quote: “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
WHAT DOES FUN WORKPLACE LOOK LIKE?
A fun workplace is often a supportive and relaxed work environment. These places have a joyful environment. These places often organize informal and formal activities to boost morale of employees. These activities also help to improve the relationship among the employees.
These activities can be: –
- Contests
- Celebrations
- Games
- Team-building activities
- Honoring milestones
- Humor
- Opportunities for self-development
- Recognizing achievements
These fun based activities are the responsibility of the human resource management or the upper management. In some companies, employees (from different departments) themselves form groups and plan these activities and create a stressful workplace into a fun based workplace.
These activities also include the managers prasing and embracing talented employees. These fun activities help employees to move forward with unity without any negativity.
Also, fun activities make employees think about new ideas without any stress. And also, when your company’s staff spend time together and enjoy themselves, they can become happier at work.
IMPORTANCE OR BENEFITS OF A FUN WORKPLACE
Improves Communication – Having a fun workplace helps employees to know each other better other than their work terms. Employees can see each other as friends rather than colleagues. Having fun reduces stress and creates a more relaxing environment. So, they can learn more about each other and can share their thoughts, ideas and opinions with honesty.
Reduces Employee Absence – Often, when there is only work at the office, and no other interaction, the employee feels stressed. Therefore, gets ill and takes off for some days.
On the other hand, fun workplace environments are often healthier and happier. So, this will reduce the anxiety and stress of work. And hence, employees’ absence is less.
Fosters Collaboration – Relaxed and friendly environment helps employees to trust each other. They come to know about each other’s likes, dislikes, habits and traits. When employees know each other better, they allow each other to enter their workplace and work as a team. They understand and manage to work successfully towards the company’s aim.
Improves Employee Productivity – Fun workplace environment helps employees to maintain their productivity as a fun workplace has a happier and more engaged environment. And therefore, employees are more engaged in the work they do. Employees feel more connected to their work and hence this increases their productivity.
Promotes Creativity – Fun workplace is key to encouraging employees to be creative. Companies focus on ensuring that employees enjoy their tasks and give new creative ideas. When employees have a positive environment, they can think about creative ideas without any stress.
Improves Motivation – Fun workplace improves motivation. When employees get recognition and rewards for the work they have done, they feel positive and motivated to work more. This helps to boost the morale of employees and they feel motivated.
Encourages Advocacy – Fun workplaces encourage advocacy. When the employees are satisfied, they share their experiences with others. This promotes advocacy for your company. This advocacy develops a positive impression of your company.
Increase Employee Satisfaction – Employees in a fun workplace environment feel more valued and hence they feel satisfied.
Healthier, happier, motivated employees often leave your company. This improves your company’s retention rates. This also helps to save money that will be spent on recruiting new employees.
Attracts An Audience – When your company’s employees are satisfied, they share authentic stories with others and on social media. This attracts an audience.
Your company is referred to and more and more people wish to work at your company. This brings new talent to your company. Also, you may get new clients as well. This often helps build trust and familiarity between your company and others.
TIPS FOR CREATING A FUN WORKPLACE
When the question arises – Can work always be fun? The answer is yes! Work can always be fun because if the work environment is friendly then your workplace will be full of fun.
Friendly Competitions – Host friendly competitions among employees. This type of small friendly competition lightens the mood. Organize these competitions at least once in a month or weekly if possible. Award the winners with small gifts or rewards to keep them motivated.
Remind Employees to Take Breaks – Remind your employees to take breaks while working hours. There is a lunch break we all know, but also give small tea break throughout their workday. In this time encourage them to do something which they enjoy or just give them time to relax. This may help employees to refresh themselves.
Super Casual Friday – Upgrade your casual Friday into super a super casual Friday. Other than casual dress code, consider providing a happy hour or providing lunch. This helps create a relaxing environment to improve colleague interactions and happiness.
Decorate The Workplace – Decorating the workplace once in a year and throughout the office and or year. Encourage employees to decorate their own desks with personal photographs and items. Decorate the entire office according to holidays, festivals, seasons, events and themes. Also, host themed desk decoration contests.
CONCLUSION
From all this, we conclude that having a fun workplace is very important. This is beneficial both for the employees and the employer.
Having a fun based workplace has many benefits like it improves communication, fosters collaboration, improves motivation and many more. You must also imply some tips also to make workplace more fun and healthier for employees.