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I recently published an article about “7 Tips for Having a Good Day at Work” and it occurred to me that having a good day and having fun are really two different things. Having a good day at work could involve working hard, being challenged and productive … but not necessarily having fun. The reverse is also true, we could have a lot of fun at work and not get anything accomplished. So, is there a way to do both?

We spend approximately one-third of our day at work. It only makes sense that we would want it to be as enjoyable as possible. Having fun at work can improve employee morale, leading to increased employee engagement and retention. It can be a stress reliever and reduce symptoms of burnout. 

The hard part is that “fun” is a very broad and subjective term. HR departments will need to figure out enjoyable activities that employees will respond to. On top of that, senior management will expect fun to have a return on investment for the organization in terms of time and resources.

So, how can HR departments infuse some fun into the workplace? Here are seven things to consider:

Define “fun”. Before introducing activities, organizations should reach consensus on what fun means for their workplace culture. It might not be the same as an individual’s definition. For example, fun shouldn’t mean unsafe or unethical. Also, fun doesn’t have to be the same as silly or profane. The goal here isn’t to be restrictive. It’s to create a baseline conversation.

Ask employees for suggestions. The first thing HR should do when trying to bring more fun in the workplace is ask employees what they would find fun. And there’s nothing wrong with putting some parameters on the request. “Name 1-2 fun things you’d like to do at work that cost nothing.” Just be prepared to consider what employees suggest.

Look at company policies. Before going out and buying dart boards or organizing an ice cream party, look at existing policies and see if there are some places where a policy can be relaxed (thus creating fun). For example, it might be time to review flexible schedules, dress codes, and internet policies to give employees more latitude (which they may find fun).

Set a budget. Speaking of buying things, if part of adding fun to work includes activities like game tables and taco parties, then HR will want to set a budget. The important thing to note is fun doesn’t have to be super expensive. That’s one of the best reasons to incorporate an element of enjoyment into the workplace culture. It could be trivia contests or allowing employees to wear headphones, so they can listen to their music. 

Encourage managers to have fun. Some managers might feel that letting loose a little will hurt their credibility. Employees want to work for a manager who knows when to relax a little and when to be focused. Showing a lighter side could help managers build positive relationships with employees and create more engagement.

Show HR’s fun side. While we’re encouraging managers to have some fun, it could be beneficial to show that HR pros can have some fun as well. It’s okay to show that we have a sense of humor. We are still capable of doing our jobs effectively and efficiently. Showing senior management and employees that HR does serious work, but doesn’t always take themselves too seriously, can be gratifying and increase the approachability of the department.

Get some creative inspiration from others. Don’t put pressure on yourself to come up with over-the-top fun activities. There are thousands of articles that can offer you creative inspiration. Do a search on your favorite internet browser and put together a list. Or look for a session about fun at your next webinar/conference session. Start putting together a list of possible ideas.

Fun means different things to different people. But it doesn’t mean organizations have to banish it from the workplace. HR has a real opportunity to add an element of fun to the company culture. Employees at every level of the organization will enjoy their work more. That translates to higher productivity and better employee retention. 

Image captured by Sharlyn Lauby while having fun on the streets of Miami, FL
The post 7 Steps for Having More Fun at Work (and Still be Productive) appeared first on hr bartender.
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16/01/2025 – 12:03 /Sharlyn Lauby
Twitter: @hoffeldtcom