Benefits of having fun in the workplace

Most employees spend at least 40 hours at work every week. If you can find ways to make that time more enjoyable, it can have measurable benefits for your company:

Lower stress

When your employees have fun at work, their moods improve and their stress levels drop. If they’re laughing, the effect is even stronger; laughter releases endorphins, eases tension and relaxes the body. Less stress often translates to a reduced risk of burnout and absenteeism.

Increased resilience

Over time, the mood-boosting, stress-busting effects of fun at work can build a more resilient workforce. Work can be hard, but joy is like a life raft—it keeps workers afloat when they’re dealing with a difficult client, a tight deadline or a challenging project.

Higher job satisfaction

Fun can positively affect how employees perceive their jobs and your company. After all, fun and job satisfaction have a strong correlation; in one study, 81% of workers at highly-rated employers reported that their workplaces were fun. When the office is a happy, interesting place, employees can look forward to coming in each day. Higher satisfaction ratings can also improve employee retention and build a better organizational culture.

More innovation

Joyful activities leave employees feeling relaxed and open-minded—the perfect conditions for creativity. A little bit of play can inspire workers to see problems from a new perspective, approach a task in a new way or imagine an out-of-the-box solution.

Improved teamwork

Whether employees are playing a game or joking in the break room, they’re unconsciously building strong, lasting relationships. When it’s time to get back to work, those social bonds make it easier to collaborate and communicate.

9 ways to have fun at work

When it comes to having fun, employees tend to take their cues from managers and employers. In the beginning, you may need to plan a mix of formal and informal activities. As team members learn how to find joy at work, they’ll take the reins and make fun an integral part of the company culture.

1. Make room for humor

Humor is a great way to lighten the mood and alleviate tension in the workplace. Don’t be afraid to crack a joke or make a funny observation. When you lead by example, employees can feel comfortable showing their unique senses of humor.

Of course, not all comedy is office-appropriate. To keep it professional, avoid humor that comes at the expense of others. Keep in mind that employees don’t always publicize their beliefs. By avoiding sensitive topics such as religion, race and politics, you can avoid inadvertently offending someone or making them feel excluded.

2. Support casual conversation

A good portion of workplace fun happens during non-work discussions. Give employees time to build a relaxed rapport by allowing casual conversation. Spend a few minutes chatting at the beginning of a team meeting, or engage in quick discussions at the water cooler.

Sometimes, employees need a push to connect with colleagues. You can help by mentioning activities they have in common or asking them to meet one-on-one about projects.

3. Allow workspace personalization

Invite employees to express themselves by decorating their workspaces. Encourage them to get creative—they might bring a colorful rug, add a few photos to the walls or choose a fun Zoom background. Their choices will automatically make the workplace feel more fun and welcoming.

Your employees’ decor items provide a great deal of insight into who they are outside of work. Plus, you never know when a memento or a photo will spark an entertaining conversation or help employees bond.

4. Celebrate team birthdays and milestones

Employee birthdays, work anniversaries and other milestones are a great opportunity to have fun and celebrate team members. Order a cake or dessert of the employee’s choosing, and spend 15 minutes enjoying it together in the break room. If your team is remote, you can send a treat to their house or play a virtual game.

5. Instigate an unofficial competition

Casual workplace competitions can be fun and surprisingly competitive. When planning inclusive office competitions, be mindful of diverse backgrounds, abilities, and preferences. Examples of lighthearted competitions at work include:

• Trivia games
• Cooking competitions
• Desk decoration contests
• Egg drop challenge

It doesn’t matter who wins; the goal is to have fun with work. Along the way, you might even come up with an inside joke or a story to tell at future gatherings.

6. Stock the break room with games

Create more opportunities for fun by adding a few games to the break room. Choose multiplayer games that encourage interaction: trivia games, Jenga, Pictionary, Trouble or Operation. Workers can bring out the games on their lunch breaks or play a quick round when they stop in for coffee.

7. Start a prank war

When you’re in the company’s slow season, pick a team and start a prank war. As a group, come up with a funny prank to play on another team or department. Stick to office-friendly pranks, such as:

• Place big rubber insects on everyone’s desk chair
• Attach sticky googly eyes to computers and office supplies
• Host a surprise flash mob during a morning meeting
• Leave the team a bakery box filled with vegetables
• Replace photos with funny team portraits

Harmless, good-natured pranks can make effective bonding activities for teams.

8. Take turns playing DJ

If your employees like to listen to music as they work, let everyone play DJ for a day. Ask them to create a 30-60 minute playlist and broadcast it over the office speakers or share it in your work instant message system. It’s an entertaining way to switch up the song selections and get to know colleagues’ tastes.

The songs everyone chooses can set the stage for light teasing and jokes down the road. Your strict office manager might surprise everyone with a heavy metal playlist, and the CEO might show off their love for show tunes. You could also consider starting a collaborative playlist where everyone can contribute a song or two.

9. Get together socially

Find opportunities for your employees to get together outside of work. You might host a Friday evening happy hour, plan a company picnic or start a weekend running club.

You can also consider other ways to help workers engage socially:

• Attend a local trivia night
• Volunteer as a team
• Run a race as a team
• Go to local networking events
• Attend a new movie
• Play laser tag
• Host a game night

Social gatherings allow employees to get to know each other outside of work. Avoid discussing professional topics, and let the team know that participation is voluntary.

FAQ about having fun at work

Is it okay to have fun at work?

Fun at work is acceptable as long as it’s inclusive and productive. The right amount of fun reduces stress and leaves employees feeling happier, so they can do their jobs efficiently.

How can you make mundane work fun?

To make mundane tasks more interesting, encourage your employees to build relationships with you and each other. Make jokes and strike up non-work conversations; when you’re laughing, work always seems less boring. It also creates a better environment, so employees are less likely to call out or look for other jobs.