Have Fun at Work
Great Ways to Liven Up the Office
Livening things up at the office does not have to mean a disruption to work or less productivity. In fact, employees who enjoy going to work will be more productive and have better morale. Adding some fun to the day can help break up the daily monotony and offer employees an attitude boost that can quickly spread.
Have Fun at the Office - Start a Contest
A little office competition for bragging rights or even small and inexpensive prizes can be a fun way to liven things up. Create a monthly contest around corporate or department goals. Examples could be guessing how many customer service calls will come in for the month or how many official customer ‘thank you’s’ are received. The winner of the contest at the end of the month might receive a certificate or even a gift certificate to a local restaurant or bookstore.
A high tech company in Reston, Virginia posts a riddle in their weekly newsletter. The first person to correctly answer the riddle receives a small gift valued at $5 or less. The gifts are often nostalgic toys, like a slinky, silly putty and other items that can be played with or shared around the office. A company representative stated, “Everyone in the office looks forward to seeing what is awarded that week. The toys often get passed around and borrowed. It’s a big hit!”
Show Employees Appreciation
Employees want to know that they are appreciated for the efforts and contributions. When employees feel valued, productivity increases and morale gets a boost. Employee appreciation is frequently contagious. When managers show appreciation often, employees may start expressing appreciation to co-workers. The more people feel appreciated and valued, the more they are likely to contribute.
Start a Reward and Recognition Program
Having a reward and recognition program in place is a great way to recognize employees for their hard work. If a formal program is put in place, employees will know what the possibilities are for rewards. Employees may also appreciate opportunities to recognize co-workers efforts. A reward and recognition program can create many opportunities for managers and employees to acknowledge the valued work of their colleagues.
More Fun Ideas For the Office
There are many different things that can be done to contribute to a fun environment at work and provide opportunities for employees to take a breather. Not all ideas are appropriate for every work environment so apply what will work best for specific organizations. Often times adding a few fun activities or moments during the week or month can encourage more activities over time.
Here are some other ideas for adding a little fun to the work day:
- Host an ice cream social one afternoon. A few gallons of ice cream with some choice toppings can be inexpensive and a big hit on a hot summer afternoon.
- Buy pizza or lunch for the team unexpectedly. Let the employees know that lunch is in appreciation for their hard work and efforts.
- Start a candy bowl in the office that can stay in the kitchen or some other central location. Rotate the task of filling the candy bowl each week.
- Set up a toy basketball hoop or a dartboard in a central location so employees can take a shot as they walk by. Keep a scoreboard by the game to make things interesting.
There are many other ways to add some fun to the everyday ho-hum of the office. Coming up with creative ways to keep employees happy will boost morale. Little things here and there can also serve to break up stressful days and create an environment where employees feel appreciated. Productivity does not have to suffer in order to liven up the office and add some fun to the day.
Have Fun at Work
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