WARWICK: It has long been recognised that all work and no play is likely to lead to less productive, dissatisfied workers.
These encompass, variously: music and art studios, mini-golf courses, ping pong tables, foosball, climbing walls and even nap pods.Besides making working lives more enjoyable, there is strong evidence that fun in the workplace packs a powerful punch in terms of organisational benefits.
So how can firms create a suitably pro-fun culture and environment, with the appropriate activities, in order to capture these benefits? One important lesson for managers is that fun in the workplace is highly subjective. But that means truly voluntarily, as opposed to an activity that is technically voluntary, but where people still feel pressure to engage in some way.Workers are also likely to value fun in the workplace more highly if managers and leaders are supportive of fun.
Pressure of work is also a factor. Employees with a heavy workload may view fun events as obstacles in their schedule.Optimistic people with a positive approach to life are more likely to treat fun activities favourably.