Research released today by the UK’s largest recruiter the Adecco Group, has revealed that although 86% of Britain’s workers think that having fun at work is important, 70% have worked somewhere where an employer has NOT promoted a fun spirit in the workplace. Meanwhile, nearly three quarters (74%) of employees said they would prefer to work somewhere that did foster a fun atmosphere over one where they received better pay.
In addition the survey of more than a 1,000 workers across the UK found that 67% of employees admit they feel less committed and loyal to their job if there isn’t a fun, competitive spirit in the workplace, admitting that they just do the minimum required of them.
The survey also found that only 30% of workplaces have sports teams, clubs or schemes which employees can join, while a further 68% do not compete with others at work, either in achieving formal targets or on a more light-hearted basis.
“As the global economy continues to strain under the burden of debt, employers should take heart from the fact that the workers we surveyed value a fun working environment over pay,” comments Andy Powell, director, Adecco. “Generating loyalty and commitment need not be about hard cash. In a climate of wage restraint, employers would do well to focus on employee wellbeing and happiness. However, a worrying majority of British employees are working somewhere which doesn’t have fun on the agenda. Sports, teams, clubs and schemes are also in short supply, despite the benefits they offer in engendering team spirit and positivity – especially when times are tough.”
The Workplace Games
To encourage togetherness and fun in the workplace the Adecco Group has launched a campaign called The Workplace Games, fronted by Olympic 110m hurdler Colin Jackson, who is asking British workers to film themselves taking each other on in workplace-based challenges.
British workers are being asked to get together, create a film, and then post it to www.facebook.com/workplacegames. Adecco has promised to donate £20 to Paralympic GB for every clip uploaded, while the best videos will also win tickets to the Olympics.
Colin Jackson comments, “Competitive sport doesn’t always have to be serious, and has numerous benefits in bringing workforces together and engendering team spirit. I am really happy to get behind this campaign. It will not only raise valuable funds for an incredibly worthy cause, but also means that Britain’s workers can take a short break to test their legs and lungs; which is more than fine by me. British people are well-known for their work ethic, so I have no doubt that they can successfully channel that energy into taking part in the Workplace Games.”
When UK workers are offered a sport, team, club or scheme to take part in football remains the most popular for 68%, followed by the gym (48%), the Government cycling scheme (24%).
After hours we are still most likely to don a pair of silly shoes and eat chicken in a basket at the bowling (68%), slip into some racing overalls at the local Go-Karting track (37%) and take the opportunity to shoot down our boss at the paintballing (24%).
