Office Activities

Incorporating activities into your working day is a great way of freshening up the office and revitalizing employees. Scheduling in time to implement activities and games can be far more beneficial than you would thing. A change in routine not only contributes to energizing employees and keeping them engaged, but encourages communication. This is an ideal way of staff to getting to know one another, and perfect for new starters in the company. It’s also a great way to assess the team’s problem solving skills and team building ability. Understandably you want to maintain some level of professionalism. Therefore, implement games and activities that encourage employees to utilise and demonstrate their skills and knowledge and ensure that any activities you implement maintains some level of relatability to your organization.

Implement a wellness plan

Camaraderie is established naturally when there is a mutual satisfaction amongst employees. Implementing a wellness plan accessible to your employees is the key to combating fatigue and stress in the workplace will also boost morale. There are varying methods by which you can implement some form wellness plan. Providing free fitness classes during lunch hour is a phenomenon that is proving favourable in a growing number of organisations. This being said, implementing a fitness plan is not exclusive to physical activity. You need to factor in a realistic budget to implement some form of health plan. Little touches such as providing staff with bottles of water or proving a fruit bowl in the centre of the office is a great way of administering a wellness plan, and it fairly cost friendly. (Keep an eye on the fruit- we do not want a smelly office full of perished produce!)

Trips outside the office

This does not necessarily mean scheduling in full day team-building trips (although this is advisable every once in a while). Taking short trips out the office is a great way of insuring that employees feel connected with one another. A change of scenery is a great way of boosting employee engagement.

Here are a few ways to incorporate a change of scenery into your working day:

• Allow your employees to spend a few hours discussing ideas and projects in your local coffee shop.
• Treat your employees to lunch every once in a while. If you are managing a large team, split your employees into divisions and take a selection of employees out at a time.
• Lead spontaneous, unscheduled activities. Encourage employees to go outside one afternoon and play a game of football, for example. 

You will find that your employees respond well to this approach.

Resolve issues and conflicts quickly and efficiently

Unfortunately, there are circumstances whereby conflict presents itself amongst employees, and you must not fear it. Often, we try and avoid conflict but ultimately, it is unavoidable. Recognizing when there are issues presenting themselves in the workplace is your duty, and tackling these issues head on is the only way to disburse animosity amongst your staff. Effective conflict resolution reduces the likelihood of distress and withdrawal amongst your team members. You want to create an atmosphere of openness and contentment in order to maintain camaraderie in the workplace, there is no room for animosity or rivalry in the workplace.

Related Reading: Managing Stress at the Workplace