“We don’t quit playing because we grow older; we grow older because we quit playing.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes 

You might not equate work with fun. Yet, when you think about how much time you spend at work each day, that’s a long time to be bored!   

Would you like to suggest adding some fun to your office but you’re anticipating a push back from management? Well, you can let them know that injecting fun into your workplace can also benefit your business’ bottom line.  

A 2015 study by the Social Market Foundation found that when exposed to something fun, like a comedy film, employee productivity increased by an average of 12% and peaked at 20%. Organisations that incorporate fun into work are reported to have lower levels of absenteeism, greater job satisfaction and less downtime. So, adding a bit of fun means everyone wins.

Make more time for fun

  • Put games, music or occasional treats in the break room. Foosball tables are a popular choice. 
  • Encourage staff to decorate their desk area to express their own personality. 
  • Spread some stress-relief through the office with stress balls or colouring pencils. 
  • Find an opportunity to run an office decorating competition. Start with annual events like Christmas, Chinese New Year, Valentine’s Day or Easter. 
  • Think about group activities: paint Easter eggs, make gingerbread houses, or organise a volunteer day for a cleanup or soup kitchen. 
  • Show a funny movie during lunchtime and supply the popcorn. Organise a dress-up day and take lots of photos. Halloween is an easy place to start but think about other themes that can be added throughout the year. 
  • Office chair races can be loads of fun – and brings out the competitive streak in many a racer!

Celebrate success

  • As a team, set goals and develop values so that everyone is invested in achieving them. Involving staff in plans from beginning to end and encouraging ownership of success is a great way to keep everyone happy. 
  • Celebrate wins, large and small. Bring everyone together for cake, lunch, or a special activity. 
  • Reward success. Publicly acknowledging and rewarding an individual or team that has been highly successful is a great way to keep staff happy and motivated. Rewards can range from a verbal or written “Thank you” to a gift voucher or bonus for larger achievements. 

Get out!

  • Encourage staff to conduct meetings out of the office, such as a local café or a park. 
  • Establish a Lunch Club, where once a month a different member chooses a lunch venue. This gets people out of the office, lets them explore new places and experiences together, and will encourage interaction between teams and departments. 
  • Similarly, establish an Activity Club where each month, a different member chooses a different lunchtime activity. 
  • Volunteer as a team or participate in an activity for a charity.  

A little fun goes a long way in lifting workplace morale and boosting productivity. The workplace can be transformed from a dull and dreary environment to a positive place where people enjoy spending time and contributing to the culture. 

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