Employees are a company's greatest asset! Without them, a business will cease to exist; hence, it is very important to keep the team happy and content in the workplace. By encouraging employees to have more fun and occasionally relax at work, companies hope to boost their creativity and productivity. Making the office a fun place to work can also improve things like employee retention and branding.
With time and the influx of millennials and Gen Zers in the workforce, more companies have come to appreciate the value of an office culture that's willing to be playful. Some of the top organizations in the world believe in making work fun and one of the ways of ensuring it is by creating a recreational area for employees. Designing such spaces cannot happen overnight and need proper thought and planning. Simply adding a pool table, carrom board, or ping pong table may not have the desired effects. Also, it is important to encourage an inclusive culture and the right office atmosphere to facilitate engagement and connections.
Work and Play
People usually view work as the opposite of play but this doesn't have to be so. In fact, the best work is done when these two overlap. When work becomes too serious people will lose their heads and shut down. Tricks of gamification don't apply to only customers, but also employees. Gamification in a company culture means incorporating elements of games, competition, and fun into the work environment. Countless psychologists and HR professionals suggest that fun workplaces create happier employees, and happy employees have reduced stress, enhanced productivity, more job satisfaction, and greater motivation.
Why is fun at work so important?
People work from eight to ten hours, or even more in an office, and they do it daily. It is understandable that it comes a moment when physical fatigue kicks in. It is very common for an employee to feel drained after working continuously for hours; hence there must be a play area for them to loosen up & refresh their energy levels.
Here are 5 benefits of creating fun spaces in the office and loosening up your office culture to encourage your employees to relax:
Better Health
Being under stress can create problems in the work environment. Stress has been linked to heart disease, a lowered immune system, depression, and even stroke. However, when you're having a good time, your brain is releasing all sorts of feel-good hormones including dopamine. All of this helps to offset the negative effects of stress, namely cortisol. Lower stress levels lead to healthier minds and bodies.
Better productivity
Research shows that all lengths of breaks may effectively boost productivity, from short breaks of 30 seconds to longer breaks. Play breaks can "relieve stress, boost creativity, improve brain function, and improve our relationships with other people by fostering trust with others." Playful adults may actually be more resilient than their non-playful peers.
Unlock creativity
If your employees are stuck in their cubicle all day, their creativity is bound to suffer. When the work environment is fun, it gives the brain a boost to think differently and come up with out-of-the-box ideas. Creating a recreational space will enable your employees to stay motivated and refreshed throughout the day.
Know more about creative workplaces.
More collaboration
Having an office space that employees want to spend time, encourages more collaboration and community. It's safe to say you're more relaxed and produce better results working with someone you like, or at least know a bit. Having fun at work improves relationships and boosts communication.
A great place to work
Modern brand-focused businesses need to promote an enjoyable work atmosphere if they want to attract and retain the best employees. Employees are great advocates for a business as they bring talented peers to the company. Happy employees lead to bigger, better businesses.
Office features to consider
Want to get a little more playful in your office space? Here are a few features to consider:
Creative furniture
Create a fun space with creative furniture. Replace the traditional chairs and tables with wooden picnic tables and bean bags. Mattresses are also a good alternative to chairs. The idea is to create a space unlike any other space in the office.
Prints and colors
Recreation rooms have a single purpose, to make people take a break from their work and to get rid of stress. A well-designed interior will enhance the purpose of the room and will offer the mind a diversion and makes people feel more relaxed.
Know more about office color psychology.
Workout zone
Working out helps people relieve themselves from stress and physical strain. The workout zone should feature treadmills, yoga mats, dumbbells, and exercise balls. People tend to exercise together with someone, and this will help them socialize and bond.
Games and Gaming area
Playing games in the break room are one of the best ways to have fun at work. Some companies have dedicated game rooms, and some simply put the games in common areas. Employees can unwind with a board game or card game on a stressful day. Fridays can be more enjoyable at the office if you can play scrabble with your co-workers during your break.
Office bar
A beautifully designed office space built exclusively for the purpose of socializing could be good for mental wellness. Office bars don't have to be all about booze; many also serve coffee and other drinks so that there's something for everyone.
To sum it up!
Playfulness incorporates fun into office life and makes work feel less like a chore. It taps into the inner motivation of employees and brings out their natural creativity. It will definitely build a better workplace and have a positive impact on your employees making them play hard and work harder! Companies who do not take themselves very seriously can enjoy some serious benefits because of it.
