One of the most valuable intangible benefits of a company is their culture and environment. Many companies aim to create environments that employees look forward to working in every day. One of the best ways to do this is by creating a fun workplace, which can include frequent employee events.  

In context, fun in the workplace means providing a place where individuals can enjoy themselves while still getting tasks done. Although fun is often associated with distraction, research shows fun in the workplace has a positive impact on employee engagement and creativity.  

By prioritizing fun in the workplace, companies can create a culture where employees feel valued, connected, and inspired to perform at their best.  

Five Advantages to Fun in the Workplace 

1. Attract Talent 

   After benefits and compensation, potential employees are strongly interested in the organizational culture and morale. Often, they are more drawn to organizations that prioritize employees’ happiness and well-being, by creating a fun and engaging work environment. Having that culture and reputation makes the company more appealing to job seekers, which can lead to an increase in attraction to an opening.  

2. Improves Morale 

   Fun can serve as a powerful mood booster. Small events are a great time for employees to unwind and momentarily shift their focus away from work-related responsibilities. When employees feel that the company cares about their happiness and well-being, it creates a sense of appreciation and loyalty. In return, employees tend to come with a positive attitude leading to improved performance and productivity.  

3. Promotes Relationships 

   As the workforce has shifted to a more remote environment, interacting with your peers outside of projects allows you the chance to get to know someone on a different level. Employee events are a great way for team members to connect and build relationships. It also gives people the opportunity to build relationships with people they might not work with often or ever.   

4. Helps Create Lasting Memories

   Of course, people will remember big accomplishments throughout their career. But what people tend to remember more are memories they created at their workplace. Employee events are a great way to create lasting memories for employees and their coworkers.  

5. Improves Teamwork

   Any opportunity to get employees together and collaborating will improve teamwork. Teamwork improves when employees have a sense of trust with one another. Creating events and a space for employees to build that trust and connection will improve teamwork.  

General Tips for Planning Fun & Engaging Team Events 

Creating a vibrant workplace culture isn’t one-size-fits-all. Every organization has its own unique vibe and style when it comes to workplace fun and employee events. There are some general approaches however which can assist you with your fun culture building.

• Develop or designate a ‘fun team’ to plan events. 

  • This is a great way for those that are passionate about workplace fun to have the opportunity to plan monthly events. With a team, you can delegate to individuals, so all the work doesn’t fall on one person.

• Create events that all employees can participate in.

  • Give everyone the chance to participate! Make sure events are enticing and engaging for all employees both in office and remote.

• Create both in-person and virtual events.

  • A good rule of thumb is to offer in-person events quarterly. This gives individuals the opportunity to see their colleagues in-person vs virtual. Virtual events are great for low time commitment activities that give everyone a chance for a brief brain break from their work.  

• Encourage team input.

  • Team members are more likely to participate in events that align with their interest. Encouraging them to share ideas is another way to demonstrate that their input is valued. By acting on those, you not only show that you’re attentive and listen, but individuals might have a boost in motivation to engage in that event.  

Fun Event Examples

• Themed Dress-Up Days: Encourage employees to dress according to a fun theme such as “Throwback Thursday” or for specific national days. (Think National Pizza day, national dress in blue day etc.) 

• Virtual or on-site Office Olympics: Gather teams to compete in quirky office events.  

• Host a team outing: Summers are a great time to get employees and their families together for summer events such as a picnic or baseball game.   

• Office potluck: Schedule a day for everyone to bring food or treat to the office and share. If your team is remote, have a virtual potluck where every shares their favorite lunch food. 

• Employee appreciation: take the time to acknowledge your employees and peers for the work they do. 

• Virtual Events (Jeopardy or Scavenger Hunt): Technology makes it easy to host a virtual Jeopardy event. The answers can even be tied to key training concepts you want to reinforce on your teams. There’s also a virtual scavenger hunt which can be centered around a special occasion or holiday where team members hunt for items in their own home for 5 mins and come back to share on camera. Trust us, it’s fun! 

• Office potluck: Schedule a day for everyone to bring food or treat to the office and share. If your team is remote, have a virtual potluck where every shares their favorite lunch food. 

Skywalk Group maintains a fun culture in our own workplace. We’re excited to help you find your next employee who is passionate about workplace culture and fun. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help!  

Other Reference Links: 

10 Benefits of Having Fun at Work (teambuilding.com) 

Why Work Should Be Fun (hbr.org) 

What Is a Fun Workplace? (Top Benefits and How To Create One) | Indeed.com 

By: Abby Charlier and Sami Sandecki