Fun @ Work!
It’s our favorite day of the year again! International Fun at Work Day is celebrated on the 1st of April every year.
It was first celebrated by an entertainment company called Playfair in 1996, with the intention of introducing a once-in-a-year day for employees to unwind, relax, and rejuvenate for the productive days ahead.
Fun at the workplace is a must to encourage employees to be themselves. It is a way to convey that this is a safe environment where they can let their guard down, be themselves, and not put too much thought into it! Empathy is the core of leadership, and many organizations take pride in making their employees happy.
Here are a few ideas that could bring humor, togetherness, happiness, and appreciation of talent!
Pawfessional Theme: Unconditional Love is every human’s undying dream for life, fulfilled by pets. Encourage employees to share stories about their pets and discuss feeding stray animals and adoption from shelters Animals reduce stress, promote endorphins, and help in mental health. Toys can be rewarded to the bundles of joy at the end of the celebration.
Family Fun Staycation – Family is the crux of any human’s life, and bonding with them at a suburban resort along with colleagues is a great feeling. Teams can be formed with theme games akin to “Beat Thy Neighbour” and a friendly competition will make it fun for everyone. All the members of the family should be included, and none should feel left out.
Plant to Plate Day: Plan and communicate this two months ahead. All employees need to do is grow a plant at their home, simple and quick-growing coriander, tomato, green chilies, and capsicum, or a leafy vegetable that can grow quickly, and prepare a dish based on the produce. Greenery at homes is a must nowadays with vertical and soil-less gardening gaining popularity. This will encourage employees to eat healthy, and organic, and live in a greener place. Gardening kits can be given as surprise return gifts.
Themed Costume Parties – Boring formals can take a break and unleash their fashionable self with creative-themed costumes, be it the famed retro theme, or alien apparel, this is sure to get the creative juices flowing.
Movie Time – Movies and Popcorn help people bond with each other while laughing and enjoying together. Choose a comedy blockbuster, a re-release, or even better, arrange a private show for the team.
Reels re-enactment Competition: Enactments are very popular in this video-based entertainment era. Ask teams to re-enact their favorite Reel.
Spoofery of popular movies: Contests revolving around the theme of Spoofs are quite popular among all age groups. Let them choose their favorite movie and recreate the Spoof, of course, starring the entire team!
Live Cooking sessions: Cooking is a life skill. Regardless of gender, everyone should learn and contribute to the family’s meals. This concept needs to gain momentum in developing countries where cooking is still seen as a woman’s duty. Encourage all your employees to learn and cook with the Team, taste, and rank recipes. This activity is not only fun, it centers around gender equality.
We hope the above ideas are easy to implement!
Plan this day around employees, their happiness, their enjoyment, and their well-being, this is where we can make a difference. Generally, all other office celebrations include giving back to society, but this day should be about the company giving back to employees, for all the hard work they have been putting in throughout the year.
Wishing you a very happy Fun-at-work Day!
– Dr. Sailaja hails from Hyderabad, India, and is a seasoned HR Leader, Guest Speaker, and Sustainable Practices enthusiast
