Distraction, as it turns out, can sometimes be the best motivation.
In recent years, companies across the world have started to implement “Fun Fridays.” With short and engaging activities, employees can spend the last few hours of the week having fun and bonding with their coworkers in ways beyond work.
While some may consider such activities a waste of time, the short burst of fun during hours that are usually only spent looking forward to the end of the day/week can truly transform how an employee views their workplace.
Fun Fridays, in essence, embodies all that the younger generation of employees has started to prioritise. After all, “all work” and “no play” can make anyone dull.
How Fun Fridays Came About
Strictly speaking, “Fun Fridays” are far from a new concept. Even back in the 60s, employees in certain companies in the West were allowed to ditch their professional attire for “casual Fridays.”
From such initiatives, Friday slowly evolved into the day that marks the transition between a working week and a relaxing weekend. From small over-the-desk games to company-wide activities, the idea of creating a soothing environment on the last day of the week has only gained momentum.
When the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill, Fun Fridays, for many companies, became imperative to maintain a collaborative culture. With the loss of personal touch initiated by working from home under such dire circumstances, the “silly” activities became the way for employees to survive and thrive in the workplace.
The Core Benefits of Fun Friday
Fun Fridays, as you may have guessed, are not just about a company’s culture. They also end up providing certain crucial benefits that can elevate the company’s working experience. The strategic benefits accrued through small games can help you take massive leaps when it comes to productivity.
Boosting Employee Morale
When participating in shared activities, employees associate their workplace and coworkers with positive memories, which can increase morale and loyalty to a company. It also enhances the ease with which coworkers interact with each other and breaks down awkward barriers for newer employees.
In fact, according to a study by BMC Psychology, organisational climate and employee happiness can affect employee performance by 13.3%. This highlights just how important employee morale is to overall productivity.
Breaking Down Silos
During work hours, employees mostly interact with those within their department and hierarchy. To foster cross-departmental relationships, Fun Fridays come into play by breaking down established silos and fostering inter-departmental connections.
Within an informal setting, employees also feel more comfortable sharing their ideas and building upon them with the help of others. Similarly, positive inter-departmental relations encourage employees to participate in collaborative projects and provide outsider perspectives and expertise.
Reducing Stress and Burnout
Ultimately, “Fun Fridays” are mainly about the “fun.” Participating in non-work-related activities can actively reduce stress and prevent burnout, especially at the end of a working week.
The positive environment fostered through such a connection can actively improve the mental health of the employees. Simple and small activities can be key to breaking monotony and creating a thriving working environment.
How to Start Fun Friday in Your Workplace
To initiate Fun Fridays at your workplace, you need to keep both productivity and employee interests in mind. With careful planning, you can make sure that everyone involved true gets into the spirit of the day.
Survey Team Interests
Fun Fridays are all about engaging the employees. As such, you should start by asking them directly what their areas of interest are. Some of the areas you can ask about include:
- Music
- Travelling
- Reading
- Dancing
- TV Shows and Movies
- Cooking
- Sports and Gaming
Set a Budget and Schedule
Be organised in how Fun Fridays activities are conducted. Setting a budget for each activity makes sure that the system remains sustainable. Similarly, a proper schedule should help mitigate any work clashes and provide employees with plenty of time to arrange their day’s work.
Pilot Test a Small Activity
When starting Fun Fridays, start with small activities to gauge how employees react to the initiative. After each activity, make sure to collect feedback to improve the next Fun Friday. While some people can be actively vocal about their opinions, some may prefer to remain under the radar.
However, Fun Fridays are meant to engage every participant. As such, starting small and actively collecting ideas ensures that the employees are not overwhelmed and feel included in the process.
What to Keep in Mind to Make Fun Friday Successful
When conducting Fun Fridays, it is crucial to keep certain key elements in mind to make the activity successful and enjoyable for all.
- Variety in activities: Make sure to keep things engaging and challenging. You can cycle through quizzes, games, creative challenges, and guest speakers. Some activities might be more popular than others and can be repeated, but a variety is crucial to keep everyone on their toes.
- Inclusivity: Ensure your activities appeal to diverse team members. Conducting activities that only make sense to a specific group of people can be discouraging and have the opposite effect of the true purpose of Fun Fridays.
- Timing: The Fun Friday activities need to be properly scheduled and should not stretch too long. Having hours dedicated to the process can feel tedious to many and lead to frustration rather than enjoyment. As such, make sure to align schedules and focus on short and snappy activities.
- Encourage, Not Force: While the intention of Fun Fridays is indeed to engage everyone, make sure that no one feels forced into participating. Being put under the spotlight by force can be daunting for many, especially when they might be unwilling to participate. As a conductor, respect people’s consent on the matter and make sure that other employees do the same.
Challenges of Fun Friday
As with almost any venture, Fun Fridays come with their own set of challenges that need to be handled delicately.
Varying Work Models
With the rise of remote and hybrid work models, it can be hard to conduct activities that engage those at home as well as those in the office. A laptop screen can often cause a disconnect that is hard to overcome.
Try to find activities that can be played both at home and in the office. Use tools that can make participation easier and are remotely accessible. For example, when conducting a game of Tambola, you can opt for an online application that everyone can use on their mobile phone or web browser.
Lack of Motivation
Not everyone finds the idea of “Fun Fridays” appealing. Some might consider it unproductive, while others might consider it a forceful way to foster bonds. Addressing such concerns can be hard, even with various studies showing the benefits of having some downtime.
As an HR professional, you can address these concerns on an individual level or in any manner that employees feel most comfortable. Explain the reasons and benefits of team bonding and fun activities. While participation should be encouraged, it should never be forced.
In the End…
Fun Fridays go beyond being a simple perk and cultural strategy. They are about fostering good bonds between employees and letting them feel a part of the team.
Furthermore, when conducted correctly, even a small activity shows the employees that while the company cares about work, it also cares about them as a person. Even awkward starts and stumbling attempts can later be considered as cherished memories and create a lasting positive impact on the participants.
