At first thought, play and work are two words that just don’t seem to go together. Some companies believe in an “all work and no play” mentality, where if employees are playing then they are not being productive. But we’re here to tell you that’s not quite true. The right amount of playful time brings individuals happiness, meaningful connections, alleviates stress and actually increases overall productivity. Companies are striving to improve their culture and engage their employees, and infusing play at work might just be the answer you didn’t know you were looking for.
Play” is so important that studies have shown that implementing some fun in the office helps your employees to be:
- More collaborative
- More creative
- More productive
- Happier
- Better problem solvers
- More likely to stay with the company and,
- More likely to recommend the company to others
Play at work can take many forms and does not always necessarily mean literally playing ping pong or cornhole. While play may look like this on some occasions, there are other ways to incorporate play into the work day. ZogCulture suggests trying out the following:
- Starting meetings with a connection question such as “2 truths and a lie”
- Taking a break to play (have a quick card game, in-office jeopardy, etc.)
- Offering fun prizes for friendly competitionGetting out of the office (take a walk around the block during lunch)
- Considering activities for different play personalities
“Play” may not be part of your current organizations culture, and that’s okay. If infusing play into the workday or at company events and get togethers is something you’re considering, start with small steps and be mindful of different personality types and preferences when deciding on types of play. Engaging your employees and keeping them happy will increase retention and attract new top talent to your team.
