Laura Walter. Cultivate fun. Alicia Syrett and Tom Koulopolous answer a question on how to maintain culture, deal with conflict, and create a fun work environment. 5. If you answer no to two or more of these questions, your staff probably suffers from “terminal seriousness,” which is negatively affecting morale and productivity. What better way is there to blow off some steam than petting a dog throughout the day? If what you’re doing isn’t working, invite your employees to tell you why. A healthy workplace environment is good for your company as it could lead to bringing sales for business. You can also bring in a nutritionist to talk about healthy snacks and how to cook more nutritious lunches. Encourage criticism, and empower your employees to make the workplace better for everyone. Put Fun Items and Activities Throughout the Office This allows people to take their mind off of the seriousness of work for a short period, so they come back to work with a more positive and balanced perspective. While you don’t have to throw an award ceremony, little gestures go a long way. A positive work environment should be safe and open that includes all the elements of fun, support, openness, and care. Attracting customers is easier in an environment of hospitality. Sometimes, though, it’s easy to take the idea of happy employees and think, “Oh, I need to make it fun!” But that’s not necessarily the case. By doing this, you commit to not thinking about the things on the list until the next day. Do you regularly catch people laughing or smiling at work? Encourage team leaders to take out members of their team for a night of fun. Creativity, intuition and flexibility are key to successful operation of organizations today. Pay them lots of money. For wellness to work, you have to get buy-in and make it something that’s enjoyable for your team. The more fun and social your workplace is, the happier your employees will be. In order for team members to feel good about the work they are producing, they need to fully understand the company’s mission and purpose. Objective: Create a game that teaches your employees all the aspects that are necessary for their success – trust, unity, communication, problem-solving, and more. Encourage team leaders to take out members of their team for a night of fun. Bring cold beers into the office every once in a while, and they will be happy having something to look forward to. More than anything else, the best way to create a friendly work environment is by asking and listening. To make the office a fun place, you should organize and encourage group outings. Consider creating a “fun squad” whose job is to dream up ways to bring lighthearted fun into the office. Compensation Benchmark Review - Salary Data. Make sure they feel appreciated it and let them know you recognize their progress. People think more clearly and operate more productively when … A simple way to create a fun work environment and motivate yourselves at the same time is by having a bucket list board. harmful humor, off-color jokes, sexual humor, humor tarnishing the organization). Another way to inject fun into work is through work-sponsored outings. If they like to take spin classes, why not offer them a discount to a studio? To fix this problem, allow them to showcase their holiday spirit by decorating the office for national holidays. Changing your job might not be an option if it is a high-stress position by nature, but you can still optimize your workspace to make it a more relaxing place to spend your time and do your work, in turn reducing your stress levels and increasing your productivity. DO: Set clear departmental goals. 2. Want to Dig Deeper? Prioritize Work-Life Balance. 13. Playful and goal-oriented fun is best. For example, you can start a book club and read books about finances or professional development. 6) Incentivize Wellness (and Make it Fun) While a health lecture may sound like a decent idea to help people improve wellness, it’s not something that will get your team excited. Look for tools to disseminate fun and funny things daily. Remember what Eileen Caddy once said – “Live and work but do not forget to play, to have fun in life and really enjoy it.”. YES    NO, Do you have tools (fun giveaways, draws) to invite employees to participate in having fun in your environment? Inclusiveness helps create more love into workplace and reduces competition among each other. Leave work at home. Threaten them. Collect and share your favorite cartoons and jokes. Engage in meaningful (in-person) dialog. 6. 6. 12. Stop and take a moment to give employees and customers an opportunity to see the fun in the event. Creating more equality in power or control shows people respect and builds pride in their work. 4. Reward outstanding workers with the opportunity to leave work early, or take them out for a long lunch. And We’ll Have Fun, Fun, Fun, at … Foot the bill for a happy hour or incentivize goal-meeting with parties and prizes. Integrity, collaboration, dedication, purpose, and empathy are all crucial values in any positive work environment. Humor also levels the playing field to create an atmosphere that encourages honest dialogue, open communication, and increased risk-taking. 10. Employees shouldn’t be so consumed with work that it affects their family life and leisure activities. Billing and Invoicing Apps – Small Business Owners Weigh In (2019), 7 Simple and Effective Ways to Brand Your Business Online, Seven Examples of Professional Out of Office Message Autoresponder, 7 Benefits of Using a Virtual Office Phone System, 15 Responsibilities Small Business Owners Can Delegate, Seven Low Cost Promotional Items Every Business Should Have in their Marketing Arsenal. To foster an environment where everyone feels they have a voice, make your approach “yes, that’s a possibility” rather than “no, that would never work.”. A happy work environment attracts good people and helps the people who work for you do the best for the company. 2. The more fun and social your workplace is, the happier your employees will be. Funny things occur all the time, but if you are obsessed with left-brain analytical thought, you might find it hard to stop and respond. Bring in fun things such as Nerf balls, a basketball and hoop, or party blowers. They also give employees a chance to lighten up, have something to look forward to, and … For example, you could create “games” out of productive activity...who can motivate the most patients in a hospital to smile and say something funny to the head nurse. Creating a work environment where staffers feel welcome, respected and at-ease can help improve productivity and performance, increase morale and reduce turnover. Below, here are 20 ways to make work more fun. Create a Work Environment That Encourages Employee Engagement Engagement Is an Organizational Commitment ... What is the employer's responsibility, however, is to create a culture and an environment that is conducive to employees making the choices that are good for your business. To make the office a fun place, you should organize and encourage group outings. There are many different types of group outings they can organize such as bowling, happy hours, or picnics. 1. From there, the real work begins. Want to put a smile on your employees’ faces? 1. Engage in random acts of kindness Another way to encourage wellness in the office is to put together teams to run in a 5K or other fitness challenge. Encourage a Fun Work Environment. Start slowly with a few activities and communicate your desire to create a more relaxed workplace. Your work environment doesn’t just include a physical location and conditions. Although not all co-workers will be best friends forever, it’s important to encourage friendships and socializing to make the workplace more fun. Or, maybe that quiet guy from IT has a pet iguana on his shoulder to admire. Bring in an instructor and encourage them to sign up for classes during their break. It helps create a sense that you and your colleagues are all “in this thing together.” Having ongoing fun events at a set cadence, gives your team the chance to connect with their coworkers on a more personal level. Day to day work tasks and the pressure to meet deadlines can take a toll on employees. Employees are part of an entertainment experience, and they aren’t just doing a job. Bringing in speakers to talk about professional development will also help your employees. Companies that treat employees as undynamic and uncomplex money-making machines create a boring and static work environment. Another way to make your employees happy is to show them you care about their professional development. Encourage a Fun Work Environment. It’s the product of both physical and intangible changes that makes a more harmonious workplace. Remember that employees create fun in the workplace, not managers. Scavenger Hunt: Create teams of people to work together to find a list of items either around the office or around town. Don’t expect things to turn around overnight. The more you try the bigger dividends it will pay. Make sure employees are professional and team players. Having a dog around will help reduce stress, increase productivity, and make everyone happier overall. 15 Ways for Creating Positive, Fun Work Culture in Company: 1. As you put the fun back into your business, use the opportunity to see if there are negative forces in your company. 7. Chill/games area Fill a section of the office with comfy beanbags or couches. 6. Define what fun is in your workplace and what it is not. You can also offer them discounts to lectures, online courses, or conferences. Now that you know how to create a fun work environment, it’s time you put your skills to the test. Read on for ten tips to create a fun work environment. Start a meeting with a humorous story or joke. YES    NO. 20 Ways to Make Work Fun Create a Fun Competition. 15 Ways to Create a Happier Work Environment. Create or join an office club or activity. Start to promote the benefits of humor at work. Make your workplace a comfortable place to be by encouraging teamwork and adding a bit of levity to the workday. Create a ritual like writing a “to do” list and posting it on the board. The key thing to remember is that even the worst work workplace environment can be turned into a fun place, provided you use your creativity and show a willingness to change your mindset. 12. Imagine creating a fun work environment where your employees want every day to come to work and interact in a friendly way with your customers. They also clear the way for themselves and others to work on those issues with greater enthusiasm and clarity. Recognition, praise, appreciation, gratitude and flexibility: These are just a few ways to make your work force happier and more productive. Creating a Fun Workplace... 13 Ways to Have Fun at Work! Fear should never be used as a motivation strategy. Write down five things you are grateful for at work – then share at least one with a coworker. 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