What if someone told you that your workplace could make just one change that would result in you feeling more satisfied, motivated, and less stressed? That probably makes you roll your eyes or think, “yeah right!”
Step aside skeptics! It’s true and we have facts to back it up! So what is this magical change? It’s having fun at work!
via GIPHY
Fun…at work?
Perhaps that seems like a farfetched idea, however it’s been proven in multiple studies that having fun at work has real benefits. Whether that fun is simply sharing a laugh with a coworker or attending an office party, it pays to have a good time at work.
Let’s get down to business
In a British study of 2,000 employees, leading psychologist Professor Sir Cary Cooper uncovered that fun at work lowers employee absenteeism, reduces stress, and boosts both productivity and motivation. In fact, 62% of employees who took no sick days in the past 3 months noted they had fun at work compared to 58% who took 11-plus sick days and noted they did not have fun at work.
Tweetable stat: Happier employees are more productive by an average of 12% and in some cases even up to 20% according to a study by The University of Warwick.
“Loyal, passionate employees bring a company as much benefit as loyal, passionate customers.” - Rob Markey of Harvard Business Review
Each year, The Great Place to Work Institute, known for producing Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For list, asks tens of thousands of employees to rate their workplace. They discovered that companies deemed “great” were also quoted as having a fun work environment by 81% of their employees.
Turns out it does pay to play!
via GIPHY
The Facts
Dave Hemsath, author of 301 Ways to Have Fun At Work, argues that companies with fun policies cite increased employee loyalty and greater job satisfaction. A Columbia University study presents a notable difference in job turnover probability for poor company culture at 48.4% compared to rich company culture at 13.9%.
Companies with happy employees outperform the competition by 20%! And here is more food for thought: 67% of full-time employees that have access to free food at their work are “very” or “extremely” happy with their job.
Sure we can’t all be Google with their rock climbing walls, ping-pong tables, and nap pods, but there is a place for fun at your workplace.
Jumpstart your work’s fun factor by considering these ideas:
- Lottery pool – win together!
- Casual day
- Food Friday – we do this a lot…
- Massage days
- Charity fundraising
- Board games/videogames (fun fact: did you know our own web guy is creating one?)
- Free snacks – we are big advocates of snacks, just checkout our insta
- Happy Hour
- Office pet
- Holiday and birthday parties
- Employee recognition – our web magician recently won the Lamplighter Gold Award from NESCHO!
Here are some examples of a company with a fun culture…Hubspot!
St. Patrick’s Day at Hubspot
Halloween at Hubspot
Hubspot’s birthday party
The Bottom Line
Fun at work can:
- Boost productivity
- Lower absences
- Reduce stress
Follow us on Instagram to see the latest fun we have at Harger Howe!
