What Is a Fun Workplace? (Top Benefits and How To Create One)

Many companies strive to create environments employees look forward to working in each day, as doing so benefits their work culture, productivity and employee retention. In this article, we discuss what a fun workplace looks like, the benefits of creating one and tips for developing a fun workplace.

What does a fun workplace look like?

A fun workplace is often a relaxed, supportive work environment. These workplaces often host a variety of formal and informal activities to improve morale. These events help improve morale by reminding employees of their value to their managers, coworkers and the organization as a whole.

Creating a fun workplace may be the responsibility of upper management or human resources professionals. However, in other organizations, some choose to create groups of different types of employees to plan activities and create a fun workplace. Activities may include:

• Games

• Celebrations

• Humor

• Opportunities for self-development

• Contests

• Team-building activities

• Recognizing achievements

• Honoring milestones

In fun workplaces, managers and employees alike encourage each other to relax, have fun and be joyful. This often involves praising one another and embracing each other's talents. People in fun workplaces often focus on finding the positive aspects of any situation, looking for ways to move forward rather than dwelling on negative aspects.

Related: 13 Fun Perks To Offer Employees in the Workplace

Benefits of a fun workplace

Here are some benefits of creating a fun workplace:

Reduces employee absences

Employees in fun workplaces are often happier and healthier. The relaxed environment may reduce levels of employee stress and anxiety. As a result, employees may take fewer days off because of illness.

Improves employee productivity

Fun workplaces often create happier, more engaged employees. Employees who are more engaged at work often feel a stronger connection to their work, increasing their productivity. This level of engagement may also help employees cope with difficult events from their personal lives while at work, preventing a loss of motivation or becoming withdrawn.

Related: 10 Reasons Why Employee Engagement Is Important

Improves communication

Having fun in the workplace often creates a more relaxed environment. This allows employees to get to know each other better and view each other as friends. They learn more about each other's traits and ideas and may feel more comfortable sharing their honest opinions in their discussions.

Fosters collaboration

The relaxed environment of a fun workplace often promotes trust. Employees view each other as members of a team,, allowing them to work together more cohesively. They better understand each other's dislikes, likes and traits. This helps employees develop habits and rules for mutual understanding to work together successfully.

Promotes creativity

Fun in the workplace often encourages creativity. Companies focus on ensuring employees enjoy their tasks, helping them to learn more and feel enthusiastic about work. This often promotes more conversations and collaboration, leading to new ideas.

Attracts an audience

A fun workplace may attract an audience. Sharing authentic stories about your workplace promotes your brand and may attract social media attention. You may receive attention from potential customers or new talent who value seeing the more human side of your company. This often helps build trust and familiarity between your company and others.

Encourages advocacy

Fun workplaces often encourage advocacy. Satisfied employees advocate for your brand by sharing stories with others about their experiences. This advocacy helps develop a positive public perception of your organization.

Improves motivation

Fun workplaces may improve employee motivation. Many organizations reward or recognize employees for a job well done to create a fun, positive workplace. This often motivates employees to succeed.

Increases employee satisfaction

Employees in fun workplaces may feel more valued, leading to increased employee satisfaction. Satisfied employees are often less likely to leave your company. This improves your organization's retention rates and prevents your organization from spending more money on hiring processes.

Improves employee task performance

A fun workplace may encourage employees to perform their job better. They may feel more connected to their work or approach their work differently. This may allow them to improve their performance, increasing success rates for your organization.

Tips for creating a fun workplace

Here are some for how to create a fun work environment:

Make your work meaningful

Remind employees why their work matters. Ensure each employee knows your company's mission, vision and purpose. Share positive reviews from clients to emphasize the importance of what your company does.

Provide challenges and problem-solving activities

Provide employees with challenges or problem-solving activities. These may be day-to-day activities or long-term friendly competitions or initiatives. These challenges may encourage employees to think in different ways, increasing innovation.

Make time to celebrate success

Make time to celebrate company-wide successes, milestones and holidays. This often motivates employees to work harder because they know the company will reward or acknowledge them for their work. Ensure you include employee events and parties in your budget. Ask your employees what kind of events they would like to have.

Listen to your employees

Ask your employees about what they would like to see in the workplace. Regularly talk to your employees about what is and isn't making them happy at work. Listen to what their preferences are and what motivates them to come to work every day. Use their feedback and opinions on past initiatives to plan your next way to have fun at work.

Establish clear goals

Set clear goals for your company, and ensure each employee understands them and their role in achieving the goals. Goals often help motivate employees and provide them with context for their work. Also, shared goals encourage teamwork and camaraderie.

Related: How To Set Goals as a Team: Steps and Examples

Dedicate a day to fun

Dedicate an entire workday to fun. Consider celebrating holidays like Fun at Work Day. Organize a day with a variety of team-building games, projects and other casual ways for employees to interact. Make the day extra special with a catered lunch and snacks.

Create health and wellbeing initiatives

Create health and wellbeing initiatives in the workplace. These may help employees improve their overall health and develop good habits. Explore your options to track your initiatives through your HR system or benefits program.

Upgrade your casual Friday

Transform your casual Friday into a super casual Friday. Besides allowing a casual dress code, consider providing lunch or a happy hour. This helps create a relaxing environment to improve colleague interactions and happiness.

Host friendly competitions

Host friendly competitions among employees. Consider organizing a casual sports tournament, monthly challenges or quizzes. Provide awards for the winners as motivation.

Create a special social network

Create a special social network for employees to share funny online items with each other. Consider creating dedicated instant messaging channels dedicated to different employee interests or sharing jokes. However, it's important to set parameters for what's considered appropriate in these spaces.

Decorate the workplace

Decorate the workplace throughout the year. Encourage employees to decorate their own desks with personal photographs or items. Host themed desk decoration contests, and decorate the entire office for different holidays, seasons, events or themes.

Give each employee a day-by-day calendar

Consider giving each employee their own day-by-day calendar at the beginning of the year. Choose a different calendar subject for each employee, and try to match the topic with the employee's interests, such as their favorite animals or television shows. These calendars often promote daily conversations between employees.

Celebrate individual employees

Celebrate each employee, such as their birthday and work anniversary. Announce their birthday to the workplace in person or through the main communication channel. Consider giving them a gift card or letting them spin a wheel and pick a prize.

Consider developing an employee reward or award system. For example, allow employees to nominate each other for doing a good job. Think about adding a bell an employee can ring when they receive positive feedback from a client or achieve something great, and encourage the entire office to clap for them.

Related: Top 40 Ideas To Show Appreciation for Your Employees

Create a wall of fame

Create a wall of fame to recognize employees. Include awards, thank you notes from clients and any possible news coverage of the company. Add candid photographs of employees from days at work or special company events.

Create art together

Create art together as an office. Consider gathering everyone to work on the same project together, such as painting the office and creating a mural. You may also provide each employee with supplies to create their own personal art project.

Host non-work related meetings

Host meetings to discuss items other than work. This allows employees to get to know one another better. These meetings may be during business hours, such as skill development sessions, or after work, such as a monthly happy hour.

Send handwritten notes

Send each employee a handwritten note at some point during the year. Use this as an opportunity to express your gratitude to the employee for their hard work. Be sure to personalize the note with details about the employee and their achievements.

Take a break to dance

Play a few songs at the same time each day. For example, play music in the late afternoon when employees may begin to feel tired or less energetic. Encourage employees to stretch, dance or walk around the office while the music plays.

Allow for flextime

Provide employees with flexible work schedules. Allow employees to work hours that work best for them, giving them more control of their work-life balance and personal life. Consider allowing employees to work from home occasionally to provide variety to their workdays.

Related: What Are Flexible Hours and Why Employers Should Consider Offering Them

Remind employees to take breaks

Remind employees to take breaks throughout their workday. Encourage employees to use this time to do something they enjoy, such as going for a walk or reading a book. This may help employees feel refreshed.

Consider an office pet

Consider adopting an office pet, such as a dog, or allow employees to bring their dogs to work with them. A dog may reduce stress, encourage employees to talk to each other and help build trust among employees. However, it's important to talk to employees about potential allergies or other concerns.