Crunching numbers, maintaining a Web site and fulfilling orders may eat up your time, but a new book says making time for fun in the workplace benefits businesses and employees.

In "Fun Works: Creating Places Where People Love to Work," Leslie Yerkes, president of Catalyst Consulting Group in Cleveland, details how in the face of struggling economies after 9/11 and natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, 11 companies have integrated fun into their daily operations -- and how that decision positively affected business as a whole.

In the book, Yerkes suggests giving employees "permission to perform" by providing them with some creative freedoms that go a long way. An example of where this philosophy is apparent is at Seattle's famous Pike Place Fish Market, where employees throw fish and sing while serving customers.

"If you don't find a way to enjoy it, it's just all work," Yerkes says. "There is no risk or downside in the long run to giving permission; the only risk we take is withholding it."

Shirley Lyons, AAF, owner of Dandelions Flowers & Gifts in Eugene Ore., tries to keep things fun at her shop by having employee barbeques and celebrating birthdays, which she says has a great effect on the atmosphere at work.

"When you can come into work and have fun it increases morale and it makes for a better environment," Lyons says. "I just think it's healthier for everyone."

Yerkes agrees and says not only can working in an entertaining environment decrease stress, but it also can lead to the retention of good employees by fostering commitment and ownership among all members of the organization while also reducing absenteeism.

Get more of Yerke's tips about keeping things fun, in the August issue of Floral Management.

--Kori Kamradt
kkamradt@safnow.org

 

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