6 Ways Managers Can Build A Fun At Work Culture

The word fun is rarely (if ever) associated with a working environment. The idea behind it is that a workplace is a serious place where things get done. Nobody has got the time to have a little fun at work. It’s unprofessional, unproductive, and disruptive.

Right?

Well, not quite.

Having a fun environment is an important variable that contributes to a great place to work for employees.

A fun workplace reinforces the feeling of belonging and inspires loyalty. Moreover, happy workplace culture will see numerous positive results, including better productivity and increased employee satisfaction.

The It Pays To Play study by BrightHR revealed that:

• 79% of graduates believe that a fun work environment is essential.
• 44% believe that a fun workplace promotes a better work ethic.
• 62% of employees who had had no sick days in the last three months having had fun at work.

Creating a fun workplace is not complex or disruptive.

Having a fun day can simply be about enhancing the monotonous everyday activities so that employees actually want to come to the office. It is a means of not only engaging workers but also retaining your top performers.

As a manager, here are the 6 things that you can do to develop a more fun workplace culture:

Fun At Work: 6 Tips To Establish A Fun Work Environment

In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun.

• Mary Poppins

1. Celebrate Fun Days

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A working environment that runs on a fixed routine is a big recipe for disengagement.

A workplace culture that doesn’t actively work to make the staff excited to work is not a sign of a good culture. One of the simple and easy ways to make the workplace environment more enjoyable is celebrating fun office days.

Office fun days are not days where no work gets done. Instead, office fun days are about taking a typical working day and making it into something interesting that perks up your employees’ workday.

It can be as simple as a casual Friday where anybody can wear whatever they want. Or it can be a “Dress Up As Your Favourite Character” Day.

However, you can go all in and really increase employee happiness by establishing an ice cream day once a week (or month).

Such office fun days have the added advantage of being seen as a tradition in the workplace culture. Consequently, people feel proud and advocate the presence of such traditions in their organization.

2. Rejoice Small Wins

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An essential aspect of a fun workplace culture is where people feel good about themselves and their work. While appreciating major accomplishments is necessary to increase employee morale, celebrating the small wins can be just as effective.

An employee has always been helpful to his team members. When an employee stayed late to cover a sick colleague’s work. When someone always comes to work on time. Or keeps his workplace immaculately clean.

Such modest day-to-day acts should not go under the radar and be appreciated as such.

To make it into an enjoyable activity, you can take inspiration from "The Office" and hold a Dundies. Make up silly awards such as "Best Shoes" or "Most Likely To Fall Asleep In A Meeting."

It will indeed impart some positive vibes, laughter, team bonding and establish an overall fun working environment.

3. Ask Employees About What They Want

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The best way to create a fun working environment is to ask your employees about what they want. There is usually a generational and positional gap seen between the manager and the team members.

Thus, what you may consider fun at work might not necessarily be so for the employees.

Therefore consider it an excellent practice to ask or gather feedback from the team about what you should do to make the working environment more fun.

More often, you’ll find that they’ll be more than happy to help you since it benefits them as well. Also, it will provide an excellent bonding opportunity between the manager and the team members.

4. Indulge In Team Building Fun Activities

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Team building activities that involve some strategy, skills, and team members working together can be incredibly effective in creating a fun work environment.

Such fun activities provide a plethora of benefits, including:

• Aids the team members into honing their strategic skillset.
• Promotes team bonding through activities such as icebreaker questions.
• Helping combat work pressure and stress.
• Increase in creativity and confidence levels.
• Inspires better communication between team members.

Such fun activities help to bring team members together and actually bond over something that all enjoy.

This creates a sense of camaraderie and that their colleagues can actually be friends. Perhaps, the most crucial benefit is that the learning and collaboration developed during such team-building fun games can help in the actual working environment.

5. Friendly Contests

(Pixabay)

Creating a fun work environment can be as simple as hosting some friendly office challenges. Not only will the team members have fun, but such fun activities promote a healthy dose of competition among team members.

Such friendly contests have often been used to increase the engagement levels among the workforce. The process of winning such challenges is extremely fun and rewarding for people.

Organizations take such fun activities to the next level by implementing gamification in the workplace culture.

One example of gamification is using a leaderboard to see who are the top winners in contests such as a 10k walk challenge. In such scenarios, fun at work is the element that helps drives a motivated and happy workforce.

6. Celebrate Birthdays and Work Anniversaries

(Source: Unsplash)

Every employee wants to feel seen and appreciated in his/her workplace. One of the best ways to do so is to celebrate your employees’ birthdays and work anniversaries.

This makes employees feel that the organization they work for immensely values them. Additionally, such days are great for other team members to celebrate with one another.

You can make such events memorable by having a small gift, a treat, or a handwritten note in handy. If your budget calls for it, a small team lunch is even better. All in all, make sure that the celebration is fun.

Finally: Do You Think Having Fun At Work Is Important?

In what ways do you ensure that your employees have fun at work? If you have any suggestions, please drop us an email. We would love to hear your thoughts.

FAQs: Fun At Work Culture

1. What does having fun at work mean?

Fun at work refers to creating an environment that is not only beneficial to productivity but also enjoyable and fulfilling for employees. This entails fostering a culture that appreciates positivism, humor, and innovation. It involves creating opportunities for socializing, such as team-building activities and company events, as well as incorporating elements of playfulness into everyday work routines.

2. Why does fun at work matter?

Fun at work is not a frivolous concept; it is an essential component of a flourishing organization. Injecting some fun into the workday can help reduce stress, enhance morale, and encourage a more relaxed and collaborative environment. Employees who are having fun are more likely to be engaged, motivated, and energized, which leads to higher productivity and better job performance. By prioritizing fun at work, employers can reap the benefits of a happier, healthier, and more productive workforce.

3. When is Fun At Work Day?

International Fun at Work Day is typically observed on April 1st each year, providing employers with the perfect opportunity to inject some lightheartedness and laughter into their work culture. The next Fun at Work Day will be on Thursday, April 1st, 2024.

4. How to have fun at work while staying productive?

As HR leaders, creating a fun work environment is important, but it's equally important to maintain productivity and ensure that employees stay focused on their work goals. Here are a few tips on how to strike a balance between having fun at work while also maintaining productivity:

• Establish clear guidelines: Establish clear guidelines for what is and is not acceptable in terms of workplace behavior, language, and conduct. This can help in maintaining a respectful and professional work environment while also allowing for some fun and playfulness.
• Incorporate enjoyable elements into work goals and projects: Incorporate fun elements into work objectives and projects. Set team goals, for example, and offer a reward or recognition for meeting them.
• Encourage employees to manage their time properly and prioritize their work tasks: This can help them stay focused and productive while still allowing time for breaks and socializing with coworkers.
• Plan team-building exercises: Plan team-building activities that are both enjoyable and beneficial. Activities such as volunteer work or community service can help employees bond and form deeper relationships.

This article is written by Barasha Medhi who is a part of the marketing team at Vantage Circle. Barasha can be found either searching for interesting HR, company culture, and corporate buzzwords to write about or looking at pictures of cozy Bel Air mansions. For any related queries, contact editor@vantagecircle.com.