We’ve all heard the saying, “If you love what you do, you won’t work a day in your life!” In fact, research shows that happy employees have a real and positive impact on revenues and customer satisfaction. A study by Glassdoor Research found that employees who genuinely like coming to work every day may have a positive impact on a company’s stock performance.
But what goes into loving your job? Is it the work environment, the pay, the people, or the work itself? In the U.S., Jan. 29 is National Have Fun at Work Day, and this celebration might be just what you need to find enjoyment from your job.
To help you make the best of this holiday, we’ve gathered a few ideas for celebrating National Have Fun at Work Day.
Make It Personal
Fill a box with little gifts of praise or recognition and give an item from the box to a colleague who deserves praise. You can give sunglasses to the co-worker who had a bright idea, a Slinky to someone who is always flexible with work, or a rubber ball to someone who bounced back from a particular challenge. Creativity is the key!
Lead the Fun Parade
Be the champion of creating an enjoyable workplace by suggesting silly games on breaks or during lunch. Host raffles for small prizes like calendars or pens, put up scenery posters in windows, or bring breakfast for the team. When you take the initiative to make the workplace fun, people will likely follow.
Make Work a Game
Challenge yourself and co-workers to fun workplace games. For instance, set a timer and have a competition to see who can get the most done by the time the bell goes off. Or, challenge a co-worker to a competition to see who can make the most sales calls in a morning. Making the work you do more exciting can help you love what you do and be productive at the same time.
Trivia Challenge
Gather some interesting trivia facts about each of your co-workers and create a puzzle that matches the trivia fact to the correct employee. Those with the most correct answers earn prizes. This is a great way to get employees to know each other and spark important teambuilding.
Make Training Fun
If your co-workers are about to undergo training, make it a party. Create teams to promote light competition, have a prize for those with correct answers, and give out gifts for positive participation. Adding an exciting element to trainings and meetings can liven up the atmosphere and keep everyone engaged.
Welcome the New Employee
When you hire a new employee, arrange a scavenger hunt for them to meet co-workers, learn facts about them, gather office supplies, and learn their way around the office. At the end of the hunt, lead them to the common area or a local restaurant where their new teammates are waiting.
Fun and Food
Arrange a potluck in which employees bring a dish from their childhood or hometown. Use food to start a conversation about history or culture, and have employees share a favorite recipe and create a company cookbook.
These are just a few ideas to celebrate National Have Fun at Work Day. Has your company ever celebrated this holiday? Share with us in the comments section below!
Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.
