It’s not your imagination. Americans are experiencing a serious fun shortage at work, and understandably so. The downturn in the economy, the rise in unemployment, and the resulting stress on overworked employees has impacted our families, our friends, our neighbors, and our selves. We’re working harder than ever and enjoying it less.

In the process of trying to do more with less, and keep our companies and our families afloat, work has become serious business. But work and play do not have to be mutually exclusive. In fact, incorporating more fun into your work is good for business. Studies show the benefits of levity in the workplace include less stress, more productivity, higher job satisfaction, higher levels of creativity, and better customer service. (William M. Mercer, Inc. New York City)

As the economy turns the corner, there is a rising trend of companies incorporating fun back into the workplace. Many even include “having fun” in their mission statements. But for Edgewater Technology, a strategic consulting firm in Wakefield, MA, “having fun” is more than a mission statement; it is the very heartbeat of the company’s culture. 

That heartbeat was particularly palpable as Edgewater approached their 10^th anniversary last year.  No small achievement for a high tech company in these times, they wanted the celebration to be significant and memorable. While they planned a gala event for their customers, they also considered how they could make this a momentous occasion for their employees. They decided to celebrate with something special on the 10^th day of every month throughout the year.

In doing so, they took ‘fun at work’ to a whole new level. Each month’s activity was met with anticipation and delight. One month everyone in the company received two keys in their mail at home. On the 10^th, the office buzzed with excitement as each person tried their keys on a treasure chest that contained all-expenses paid weekend trips for lucky three winners.

But fun at work doesn’t have to be expensive; it just has to be intentional. Another month, Edgewater held a scavenger hunt, where eggs hidden throughout the building contained clues of what they needed to collect or provide, including creating a song to the tune of “Gilligan’s Island”.  In the midst of the playful competition people were laughing, running around, and hiding eggs on other employees.

Whether it’s planned or spontaneous, incorporating fun into work helps break up the routine and breathe more life into an organization. One month’s activity was a ‘mystery trip’, where daily clues were dropped for two weeks up to the 10^th, hinting as to where the day would be spent. The destination for the Wakefield office was a favorite ice cream shop followed by a rousing round of miniature golf.

In addition to lower stress and higher productivity, the results of such fun are especially evident in morale, team building, and company loyalty. “If you think about it, how many hours in the day are we spending at work?” says Barbara Warren-Sica, Director of Corporate Communications at Edgewater, “We want to reward employees and say ‘Thanks for hanging in there with us. You’re as important to us as our clients are.’ It’s really a joy to come to work everyday.”