April is National Humor Month, and today, April 3, is Don’t Go To Work Unless It’s Fun Day. I’m sure your boss won’t be too keen if you call in explaining that work isn’t fun, so you won’t be coming in. Instead, try to bring the fun to work!The average person will spend 25% of their life at work. It’s not worth a quarter of your life being miserable, and there are other benefits of having a fun workplace as well. Not only does fun in the workplace create a happier employee, but it also encourages creativity and collaboration.
Ways to incorporate fun in the workplace
Themed Potluck Meetings can be fun and still work-related. Who am I kidding, it’s hard not to have fun when food is involved. Using a theme also lets you be creative with the dish you’re bringing in, and when you add in decorations, it can lift spirits even more. One theme I had at my old job was “Tiny Foods.” Everyone had a blast coming up with miniature munchie dishes, and tasting them wasn't too bad either.
Holding friendly competitions within the office is fun unless you’re super competitive and take things too seriously, then maybe you should find a different way to have fun. At CASY & MSCCN, we hold Office Decorating Competitions where the stakes run pretty high with a Starbucks Gift Card as the prize. This is a fun way that we, as a remote team, stay connected. We get to learn a bit more about our coworkers as well; who goes overboard with decorations, who doesn’t decorate at all, some people may surprise you.
Ways to incorporate fun in the workplace
Themed Potluck Meetings can be fun and still work-related. Who am I kidding, it’s hard not to have fun when food is involved. Using a theme also lets you be creative with the dish you’re bringing in, and when you add in decorations, it can lift spirits even more. One theme I had at my old job was “Tiny Foods.” Everyone had a blast coming up with miniature munchie dishes, and tasting them wasn't too bad either.
Holding friendly competitions within the office is fun unless you’re super competitive and take things too seriously, then maybe you should find a different way to have fun. At CASY & MSCCN, we hold Office Decorating Competitions where the stakes run pretty high with a Starbucks Gift Card as the prize. This is a fun way that we, as a remote team, stay connected. We get to learn a bit more about our coworkers as well; who goes overboard with decorations, who doesn’t decorate at all, some people may surprise you.
When you’re at work, take some time to do no work. I know, this sounds a little counterproductive, but hear me out. Take some time to just have a friendly conversation with your workmates, or run to the closest coffee or ice cream shop. Just a few minutes can help you relax, refocus, and enjoy one another. The work following your break is more productive, especially with sugar or caffeine rushing through your veins.
If there’s a common fandom that everyone (or most everyone) in the office appreciates, it’s fun to huddle together to talk about how Freddie Mercury was portrayed in Bohemian Rhapsody, discuss why Negan went way overboard with Glenn or decide which character everyone from the office is from Game of Thrones.
Staples in jello may not be appropriate in the office, but light-hearted pranks can bring some fun in the office, especially when everyone gets involved. Attaching googly eyes on inanimate objects and waiting to see who notices is fun and harmless.
There are always boundaries to the fun you have at the office
The fun you have in the office shouldn’t be at the expense of others. There’s a fine line between joking and hurting. There are also topics that should be avoided. Just like during Thanksgiving with the family, politics, religion, sex, race, etc. should all be avoided. You don’t want to take a trip to HR cause you’re trying to have fun!
There is a time and a place for humor in the workplace. Always be aware of who is in your office. If you have someone visiting the office, or if there is a major time-sensitive project occurring, your workplace shenanigans should be tabled. You also don’t want to be messing around if there’s a sense of urgency in the office.
Lastly, having fun in the workplace is supposed to enhance your experience at work. It should never get in the way of work.
Do you have fun where you work? What are some things you do in the office?
Written by: Zaneta Padilla, Marketing Content Coordinator
If there’s a common fandom that everyone (or most everyone) in the office appreciates, it’s fun to huddle together to talk about how Freddie Mercury was portrayed in Bohemian Rhapsody, discuss why Negan went way overboard with Glenn or decide which character everyone from the office is from Game of Thrones.
Staples in jello may not be appropriate in the office, but light-hearted pranks can bring some fun in the office, especially when everyone gets involved. Attaching googly eyes on inanimate objects and waiting to see who notices is fun and harmless.
There are always boundaries to the fun you have at the office
The fun you have in the office shouldn’t be at the expense of others. There’s a fine line between joking and hurting. There are also topics that should be avoided. Just like during Thanksgiving with the family, politics, religion, sex, race, etc. should all be avoided. You don’t want to take a trip to HR cause you’re trying to have fun!
There is a time and a place for humor in the workplace. Always be aware of who is in your office. If you have someone visiting the office, or if there is a major time-sensitive project occurring, your workplace shenanigans should be tabled. You also don’t want to be messing around if there’s a sense of urgency in the office.
Lastly, having fun in the workplace is supposed to enhance your experience at work. It should never get in the way of work.
Do you have fun where you work? What are some things you do in the office?
Written by: Zaneta Padilla, Marketing Content Coordinator
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