http://www.leadingtoday.org/Onmag/feb03/ju-feb03.html
As we grow up we learn when and where it is appropriate to have fun and when we should be serious. When growing up many of us think and have been told work is a place to be professional. We notice our parents and family members coming back stressed about work.
In the above link Jody Urquhart discusses how "People who are in good spirits are more likely to be productive." Not only does having a good spirit allow one to be more productive but it attracts profit and people. In a business you not only want your employees to love what they do but you want them to draw in others to your company to help increase the success of your company.
What interested me the most about this article was the break down of how fun helps productivity, along with the question Jody ask about one's company. These questions help identify if a company has "terminal seriousness." Also, how laughter benefits individuals not only at work but in their health.
A large majority of this article discusses steps to creating a fun workplace. What interested me the most was, "Organize a “Fun Committee” for dreaming up fun “stuff” to do during and after work." To have a committee to organize fun in a company would be fun and different. I wonder how many companies have this? Have you ever heard of anything like this? When reading the 31 ways to have fun at work I noticed one idea that to me seemed contradictory, " Charge late employees a small fine like $5, which goes to fun activities" I would think this would make employees more anxious in the morning and could potentially start there day off poorly. While the idea has a good outcome but its almost like a punishment which many do not like to have at work.
~Apollonia Barrientos
It makes sense to me that, "People who are in good spirits are more likely to be productive." So therefore it also makes sense to have a program like a fun committee. I have never really heard of this term before and I agree that charging a fee for employees who are late may cause stress and anxiety.
ReplyDeleteMy mom has a little game they play at her work, they call it the swear jar. She is a stockbroker and sits among many other people throughout the day. Anyone who swears has to put 50 cents in the jar every time they swear. Then after it builds up for a while they will use it to buy lunch for everyone. Some of the people in the office just put $5 in at the beginning of the week to cover their costs! This is something they came up with themselves trying to better the environment and also swear less!
Tara Tolomeo
Games such as these could be used as motivators. An example in the definition of motivators in our book is 'interesting work'. I believe games would fall under this category. A lot a negative outcomes come from stress that can affect one's work. Do you guys believe these programs would help with stress at in the workplace?
ReplyDelete-Lauren Brooks
I agree with Tara about the idea about people with high spirits. I see fun inside of the workplace as something greatly beneficial for companies. However, what if someone took fun too far? Or stepped outside of the "fun" area because of such a relaxed environment at work?
ReplyDeleteThat would be my only conern. Also, a five dollar late fee would probably not make my already stressed day any better. However reading the article there were some ideas like keeping something posted in the break room that probably remind and motivate employees.
(the above comment by *Raymi Smith)
ReplyDeleteI believe before companies even consider offering 'games' or other activities for employees, they would consider the outcomes, such as 'could this really distract employees enough to take away from productivity'? As much as this would make work more interesting for some, and potentially motivate them, things such as these could also be taking employees away from working.
ReplyDelete-Lauren Brooks
I would definitely hope employers would way the pros and cons of "games" in the workplace. I believe that some of these could help with stress for some but not everyone. Everyone is motivated differently. Games are always fun but there is a time and place for everything and hopefully can finds ways to incorporate it with out taking away from a work environment.
ReplyDeleteApollonia