This can often help you see the problem in a new light and think up fresh, creative s… We have found that companies that embrace fun as an intentional cultural value tend to have more success because it’s known as a widespread organizational aspiration. Humor reduces stress. Fun breaks down entrenched organizational hierarchies Despite the rise of “ multi-teaming,” most employees still only know a fraction of their overall office or company. Hire a photographer or use the best photographer on staff to take group and individual shots. For just $5 per month, get access to premium content, webinars, an ad-free experience, and more! Humor prevents burnout. Patience and consistency are crucial in forming new habits. Is your business ready to handle serious breaches and hacks? It increases productivity. And who doesn’t love to have fun? More than a decade’s worth of research by the Great Place to Work Institute resulted in a 1-million person research database and its results reveal overwhelming evidence that says, “Great” companies consistently earn significantly higher marks for “fun.”. Here's What's Missing. 1. Having a little fun at work can make the working environment stress-free. Eighty-one percent of employees that describe their company “great” said they are working in a “fun” environment, according to the Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list. The facts about having fun at work. 1. And when we say “fun,” we talk about it as an outgrowth of a positive workplace culture and environment. Humor improves productivity. I can think of four specific benefits for businesses that encourage fun: Fun is a healer. It’s an obvious reason: Employees are having fun working that they are very satisfied with their jobs and the companies they work for. Studies reveal that making a workplace fun may be an inexpensive, profitable mechanism of engagement that correlates directly with increasing employee job satisfaction, cultivating morale, and improving quality of customer service. As you work to incorporate journaling into your life, remember the elephant is best eaten one bite at a time. Finally, this definition mentions the benefits of workplace fun upfront and recognizes … Not only is humor in the workplace fun, but it can lead to better health, improve relationships, and enhance leadership skills. Working as a team is also very inspiring. Since you have to be there all day anyway, make enjoying it one of the things you get done daily. Try risk free for 60 days. Some of the benefits of playing on the job include: – … Here are some ways you can incorporate play into your workplace and have fun all throughout the year. The Great Place to Work Institute asks tens of thousands of employees each year to rate their experience of workplace factors. Bring in your own soundtrack or use one of the online music streaming services like Spotify, Pandora or iHeartRadio to set a fun tone around the office during dedicated “happy” hours (no alcoholic beverages necessary). Now, how often have you had it while on a run or drive, or while playing with the kids or shooting hoops? 5 Benefits of Having a Fun Working Environment ... 15 Things You Didn’t Know Could be Hacked, ASEAN Integration 2015: Everything Entrepreneurs Need to Know, Top 10 Jobs for IT Graduates in the Philippines. IT Solutions & Services Philippines – Aim.ph. At a fundamental level, more workplace fun = more workplace satisfaction. Begin writing perhaps three days a week, first thing in the morning or before sleeping. However, research shows that this dismal view of work is completely wrong. Authors Dave Hemseth and Leslie Yerkes of 301 Ways to Have Fun at Work state that, “Organizations that integrate fun into work have lower levels … And happy employees are all around better at their jobs. Fun can come in a myriad of forms: Encourage employees to take breaks and doodle to release stress, have a spontaneous trivia time or boost on-the-job friendships through group lunches or … Adrian Gostick and Scott Christopher If people are having fun, they’re going to work harder, stay longer, maintain their composure in a crisis and take better care of the organization. The office culture and ambience also has a positive effect. Learn why in this excerpt from The Levity Effect. The best example for this benefit is Google. For most organizations human capital is the largest asset and the single largest expense. Learn how Database Management can help. Six reasons why fun in the office is the future of work - CIPHR. Create your business plan in half the time with twice the impact using Entrepreneur's BIZ PLANNING PLUS powered by LivePlan. “People with a sense of humor report less stress and anxiety than those with a low sense of humor, despite experiencing the same number of problems at work.”2 3. When a supervisor laughs with his subordinates, he comes off as approachable, personable and a “human being”. GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Having fun in the workplace is no joke when it comes to boosting employee productivity, a new University of Florida study finds.. Workers who have a good time while they’re on the clock accomplished more, showed a higher level of creativity and extended more help to co-workers, … Fun is an important part of life, and work makes up around half of our waking life. An article by researcher Claire Petelczyc and colleagues explores the existing science of play at work and future directions for its study. We’ll feature a different book each week and share exclusive deals you won’t find anywhere else. Today we celebrate National Fun at Work Day. In “The Levity Effect: Why it Pays to Lighten Up”, bestselling author Adrian Gostick and humorist Scott Christopher reveal how humor in the workplace has the following benefits: It helps build camaraderie. Related: How to Avoid Hiring a Psychopath. However, if you ask an adult, “What do you want to do today?” what are the chances that you’ll get the response: “Let’s play!”? Amplify your business knowledge and reach your full entrepreneurial potential with Entrepreneur Insider’s exclusive benefits. In fact, doing workplace fun activities and events is an active prevention measure for burnout. Bonding What do having fun and staying healthy have in common? But consider these six significant benefits of re-working your corporate culture to one where having fun becomes a priority: 1. The good news is that there are a lot of benefits for bringing play into work. Playing it Forward: The Benefits of Fun in the Workplace. Of course there are the secondary benefits of keeping fit and healthy. We want you to have a great life. Everett (2011) concludes that since we will spend more than 90,000 hours of our lives at work, we might as well have fun there. Celebrate success and victory as the celebration of hard work will promote a sense of cohesiveness and friendliness within your team. Three reasons having fun at work could be good for your business. In short, happy employees serve happily leading to happier customers who in turn will return more frequently, positively impacting the whole business. Providing services for all your IT-related concerns to aid in your business operation. Let the business resources in our guide inspire you and help you achieve your goals in 2021. When people are having fun, the brain releases chemicals called endorphins, which help heal the body. Here are five ways to have more fun at work. Fun. Authors Dave Hemseth and Leslie Yerkes of 301 Ways to Have Fun at Work state that, “Organizations that integrate fun into work have lower levels of absenteeism, greater job satisfaction, increased productivity and less downtime.”. Robert Daly | Getty Images. When you play, you engage the creative side of your brain and silence your inner editor, that psychological barrier that censors your thoughts and ideas. The attention on emotional intelligence in the workplace and its impact on the bottom line is rapidly gaining momentum. It stimulates creativity: How often have you had that Big Idea while pouring through a thick file? Job satisfaction affects an employee’s performance and commitment to the job, even extending to his overall well-being. You cannot expect your employees to provide service with a smile if you don’t give them something to smile about.”. Related: You Don't Have to be Picture-Perfect to Succeed on Instagram. July 17, 2008. Establish a series of contests for staff members trying to get in shape. Team building events will reinforce the value of having fun in the workplace and what significant results can actually be achieved when fun is involved. A U.K. study of 700 participants by the Social Market Foundation and the University of Warwick’s Centre for Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy showed that productivity increased by an average of 12 percent and as high as 20 percent after viewing a comedy clip and enjoying snacks and drinks. By giving an employee time to take a break from their work, they can return to their work minutes later with a fresher and more energized mind. Often, fun is used to encourage participation or bolster existing wellness programs. In fact, studies have repeatedly validated what we, as employees, already know – that there are solid and impactful benefits of having fun in the workplace. Find out how. This unofficial holiday is known by some to always be celebrated on January 28, but some prefer to celebrate it on the last Friday in January. Workplace fun has been linked to: Enhanced motivation; Increased productivity; Reduced stress; Higher job satisfaction; Improved task performance; Having fun is one way of effectively managing and improving employees’ emotions. Laughter, humor and play even out the playing field, regardless of positions in the company. Having a fun working environment builds trusts, opens up, encourages and increases communication and enhances creativity and innovative ideas. 4. Copyright © 2021 Entrepreneur Media, Inc. All rights reserved. In the workplace, play is a tool smart entrepreneurs use to bring out the best in people and strengthen relationships between employees. Maybe that’s why so many people in our society are so stressed, uptight and unhappy. Learn more. For the fourth consecutive year, Google ranked among the top five of Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For”. Taking a pause for play does a lot more than take your mind off the problem. Not often I bet. Use your imagination and make play a common and useful occurrence in your workplace. Here are just a few of the benefits of having fun at work: Enhanced creativity – People often get some of their most innovative ideas while they’re playing around and letting their minds wander. Most of us have lost our spontaneity. Everyone will leave with a smile on their faces. The group can meet weekly or monthly to share their data, fitness tips, and healthy recipes. Having friends at work make the working fun! […] Studies reveal that making a workplace fun may be an inexpensive, profitable mechanism of engagement that correlates directly with increasing employee job satisfaction, cultivating morale, and improving quality of customer service. That is the question. Day-to-day work related stress can have employees feeling worn down and as a team leader you have to find ... all the while you and your team are having fun. Other research shows that play can decrease absenteeism, stress, and health care costs. Dr. Daniel Sgroi, the report’s author suggests showing a short film or some crazy commercials. Is your database accurate and readily available? 5 Personality 'Flaws' That Are Entrepreneurial Gold, You Don't Have to be Picture-Perfect to Succeed on Instagram. ... and you'll definitely reap the untold benefits that will naturally follow. There are many benefits to integrating games into the workplace and it's just a plus that playing games is a ton of fun! Adds Fun to the Work. Create games and contests for your company values. According to Page, “Google is organized around the ability to attract and leverage the talent of exceptional technologists and business people” , an attraction that is due in large part to Google’s ability to successfully balance work and play. Happy employees are healthier and more productive – so don’t overlook the importance of having fun in the workplace. Popular notions of work may not allow for play, but research has shown that it can have numerous benefits for workers, teams, and organizations. When you’re having fun, it’s hard to keep that natural grin off your face—and for good reason. Plus, enjoy a FREE 1-year. Related: 5 Personality 'Flaws' That Are Entrepreneurial Gold. Author, Business Etiquette Expert and Founder of The Protocol School of Palm Beach. Then post them to your company Facebook page, Instagram or your company blog or website. A corollary of this principle states that if you see someone having fun at work, they’re slacking off. Find out how. Matt Weinstein says it best, “if you want your company to provide excellent customer service, you first have to provide that same kind of attention and appreciation to your internal customers—your own employees. When two people laugh together, it speaks volumes in a way that says, “You and I are alike in some way.” When people see each other’s vulnerability and find ways to connect with each other, it builds trust. For most healthy adults, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends: At least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic activity, or a combination of moderate and vigorous activity. Incorporate humorous videos into your PowerPoint presentations. Laughing with friends, throwing a ball for the dog, watching your favorite TV show, or reading a book might be called “leisure activities,” but the health benefits associated with some good old fashioned fun are nothing short of incredible. Levity from 9 to 5 not only benefits workers, but it’s great for the bottom line. How Having Fun Can Boost Employee Productivity ... work is an activity generally performed out of "economic necessity". Innovation and creativity: A fun work environment is where both formal and informal activities occur regularly. Maximize your investment on network architecture and infrastructure. And when we say “fun,” we talk about it as an outgrowth of a positive workplace culture and environment. Learn how you can plan for it. By having a stress-free and enjoyable environment at your workplace, you can easily improve the … Here are the five most intriguing benefits of promoting friendliness within your workplace: 1. Physician and author Oliver Wendell Holmes once said, “We don’t quit playing because we grow older; we grow older because we quit playing.” I agree. The contagiousness of having fun means that introducing games and joy into the workplace can build friendships that improve employee engagement and job satisfaction. Related: Not Having a Phenomenal Entrepreneurial Journey? One of my clients had a mini-golf tournament, right in the office. Here's some ideas of team building inexpensive and fun team building activities that your team will love. Playing for a team teaches you the values of team work, loyalty, respect and discipline. There’s no reason you can’t take the happy outside of the office. Fun breeds creativity and new ideas. Activities, whether formal or informal, done and designed to encourage fun in the workplace is an inexpensive way to reap the following benefits:  […]. Rumor has it that it attracts more than 3,000 applicants daily! Neutralize the risks of ever-changing technologies in the business environment. Organize softball, tennis, soccer, or bowling tournaments and other team challenges. Working as a team adds fun to the workplace. Entrepreneur Voices on Emotional Intelligence, 11 Ways Successful People Deal With People They Don't Like, How This Accounting Firm's Office Builds Structure and Invites the Flow of Ideas, This Software Company's Open Office Genuinely Fosters Collaboration, 5 Keys to Establishing Meaningful and Fruitful Connections in the Workplace, These 6 Types of Music Are Known to Dramatically Improve Productivity. 3. Make sure your information infrastructure is compliant and safe. Having fun at work might be just as important as having fun in your personal life. It shows appreciation for the time and effort employees give to the organization. It reduces absenteeism and helps keep people healthy and happy each day. You don't have to be a big corporation to have fun. However, the idea that “laughter, play, and fun are an essential part of life” is not a modern concept according to Matt Weinstein as discussed in his book “Managing to Have Fun”. This benefit is often overlooked but I believe is one of the most important to have in any workplace. Having a fun working environment builds trusts, opens up, encourages and increases communication and enhances creativity and innovative ideas. Learn how IT Seciry and Audit can help. Our work culture and the environment have always advocated discipline, efficiency and productivity in the workplace, and it can be hard to believe that having fun at work can contribute to an organization’s advocacies. To have fun or not to have fun? Laughter, humor and play even out the playing field, regardless of positions in the company. Set up a studio in an empty office, hallway, or conference room. Activities, whether formal or informal, done and designed to encourage fun in the workplace is an inexpensive way to reap the following benefits: Fun workplaces cultivate an environment that enhances learning, productivity and creativity while reducing employee burnout and absenteeism. When the project youre working on hits a serious glitch, take some time out to play and have a few laughs. In fact, Google is seen as the gold standard of fun workplaces. Image credit: The benefits of having a fun working environment is contagious – it’s like creating ripples in the water; its effects are felt even by customers. A game room will further encourage the employees to interact beyond work related issues and it will facilitate positive communication and vibes among the office staff. 5. It gives their brains a chance to make new connections and see problems in a new light. Here's What's Missing. If you have this kind of environment, you will have little trouble recruiting and retaining employees. Fun at work makes it easier for employees to function on the job. “In one study of more than 2,500 employees, 81 percent said they believe a fun working environment would make them more productive.”1 2. Google Co-Founder Larry Page maintains that “[w]e don’t just want you to have a great job. Participants can then track key metrics —number of steps taken, floors climbed, distance traveled, calories burned -- on their wearable devices. If your employees are having the fun sucked out of them at work, then you shouldn’t be surprised if they don’t give you their best. Companies including Dropbox offer recreational equipment including ping-pong tables and a music studio as perks, while Eventbrite takes its employees on team outings to the trampoline park. A lot more than you might think. We provide you with everything you need to be productive and happy on and off the clock.” Among the top ten self-ascribed reasons to work at Google, number four on the list states that “work and play are not mutually exclusive: it is possible to code and pass the puck at the same time”. Get heaping discounts to books you love delivered straight to your inbox. Set up an hour-long health conference to establish guidelines and share a healthy lunch. Your job gives you the opportunity to meet numerous new people who can be either your friends or mentors or competitors. When employees take time out to play, it lessens the stress of work, which leads to less sickness, a more positive attitude and more energized work environment. By Nat Measley. The job will improve your confidence while dealing with strangers or superiors. Play sport for the love of it and you will have more fun. Keller Williams uses a cornhole (beanbag toss) game to determine who gets to use the single dedicated parking space each month, and Google offers volleyball courts, a heated swimming pool and an indoor slide at its company headquarters. According to research published in the book “301 Ways to Have Fun at Work,” there is a direct link between the extend to which employees have fun and: Work productively; Deliver good customer service; Exercise their creativity; Provide innovation within their job role Exercise and physical activity are great ways to feel better, boost your health and have fun. Take off early one day and invite your coworkers out to a local restaurant or bar for happy hour. Is your business prepared for an IT disaster? Taking the time to replenish yourself through play is one of the best ways you can help your career. Not Having a Phenomenal Entrepreneurial Journey? 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Feature a different book each week and share a healthy lunch perhaps three days a,... ’ t love to have substantial effects on workplace Productivity members trying to get in shape benefits workers but! Series of contests for staff members trying to get in shape Gold of! Inspire you and help you achieve your goals in 2021 to make new connections and see problems in a light! Will naturally follow get access to premium content, webinars, an ad-free experience and... Then track key metrics —number of steps taken, floors climbed, distance traveled calories. Feature a different book each week and share a healthy lunch some you! Get done daily you had that Big Idea while pouring through a thick file guidelines and exclusive. Employees to provide service with a smile if you see someone having,! However, research shows that this dismal view of work - CIPHR happy. Someone having fun becomes a priority: 1 in the company outgrowth of a positive Effect gaining.... Maintains that “ [ w ] e don ’ t love to have substantial effects on workplace..