We all know that when you’re at work, the most important thing to do is to get your job done. After all, it’s what you were hired to do! However, getting through your daily workload doesn’t have to be a drag; if you work towards creating a positive workplace culture, finding happiness at work is as easy as pie!
So, if you’re prone to watching the clock during long shifts or you find yourself dreading every workday, this is the article for you. Simply read on and find all the answers to questions like ‘How to have fun at work (while staying productive),’ or ‘What is a happy work environment.’ By the time you’ve reached the end, you’ll be an expert on all things workplace culture-related!
Why It’s Important to Have Fun at Work
When people think of ‘fun at work,’ the idea often seems far-fetched or problematic, but this really isn’t the case. This is because having fun releases dopamine (otherwise known as that feel-good neurotransmitter that’s closely linked with motivation and learning)! What’s more, the process of releasing dopamine is also said to improve our ability to solve problems, be creative, and learn new things.
If those facts aren’t enough for you, we have even more studies to back ourselves up. The University of Warwick found that happy employees are, on average, 12% more productive than unhappy workers. Positive workplace cultures that promote fun also reduce stress levels, improve teamwork and reduce the number of days off employees take. In short, there are tonnes of reasons to prioritise happiness at work and positive workplace culture; you just need to know how to start!
Demystifying Workplace Culture
Before delving into what makes for a positive workplace culture (and one that allows for happiness at work), we need to define what workplace culture actually is. In the simplest of terms, workplace culture can be defined as the ‘shared values, norms, and behaviours that define the work environment and how employees interact.’
There are tonnes of different ways that companies build their workplace culture; some prioritise teamwork, some prioritise creativity, and others value goal attainment above all else. Finding the perfect environment for you may take a little trial and error but stick with it! Trust us, if you find your perfect fit, finding happiness at work will be much, much easier.
What is a Happy Work Environment?
So, the next step in fostering happiness at work is to figure out if you’re working in a happy work environment and, if not, what you need to do to improve it. Some of the key indicators of a happy work environment are:
Autonomy
Let’s face it; nobody likes to have their manager constantly looking over their shoulder. Once you’ve proven yourself as capable in your role, it definitely helps happiness levels when you’re given a little bit of freedom.
Workplace Relationships
We all know that having friends at work could mean the difference between a good shift and a bad shift. If everyone in the workplace is putting in the effort to bond with each other and get to know each other a little better, that’s a huge green flag for a great workplace culture!
Work-Life Balance
While we all want to excel at work, success shouldn’t come at the cost of our personal lives. For a truly positive workplace culture, there needs to be an emphasis on balancing professional and personal matters; if the balance doesn’t exist, employees are at risk of burnout!
What is an Unhappy Work Environment?
Micromanaging
It’s pretty hard to prioritise happiness at work when every little action is being overseen by a controlling manager. Workplace cultures that allow for micromanaging aren’t indicative of a very happy work environment; while some guidance is super helpful, you should have at least a bit of autonomy at work.
Unreasonable Workload
Look, we get it. We all want to show our boss just how much we can get done and how helpful we can really be. However, by doing too much too fast, you’re setting yourself up for burnout! Make sure you take things steady so that you can feel better in your role for longer.
Lack of Appreciation
When you’re giving it your all in the workplace, it’s reasonable to want a little bit of recognition for all the effort you’re putting in. However, if you’re constantly excelling and your coworkers refuse to acknowledge you, it can be a sign of negative workplace culture.
How to Have Fun at Work While Staying Productive
Listen to Music
If you feel like you can be equally productive with your favourite tunes blasting (through your headphones, not out loud, of course), why not try it? Listening to music can be a great way to find some happiness at work and turn a mundane task into a fun one!
Celebrate Achievements
There’s no better way to boost office morale and create a positive workplace culture than by taking the time to celebrate your coworkers’ achievements. Whether you’re going out for a team dinner or grabbing a celebratory coffee, you’re bound to have a good time.
Host Friendly Competitions
Here at Explore Careers, we host frequent general knowledge quizzes to give our team a nice break and get everyone laughing! By planning something similar for your workplace, you’ll be sure to increase happiness at work for the whole office.
Organise an Office Sports Team
Looking for an excuse to bond with your coworkers and get some exercise in? Putting together an office sports team is a fantastic option! It doesn’t matter whether you’re into frisbee golf, pickleball, soccer or anything in between, the options are endless!
Create a Fun Committee
Building happiness at work is an ongoing project, so why not enlist the help of your coworkers? By creating a ‘fun committee,’ you’ll have a team of fun-advocates planning exciting adventures for the whole office (and subsequently, improving your workplace culture)!
Can Work Make you Happy?
Yes, work can definitely make you happy! However, you might need to put a little effort in to make sure your workplace culture is a positive one. After all, it takes effort from everyone to create a happy and welcoming environment.
So, if you’re not loving your job at the moment, just remember that things can get better. Put in the effort to create more fun at work and your coworkers are very likely to follow your lead. After all, we all want more happiness at work; sometimes we just need someone to lead the way!
And if you’re looking for more early career advice, you’ve come to the right place! Simply head over to our Get Career Ready blog and learn how to kickstart your career today!
