Capt Caveman
Lifer
- Jan 30, 2005
- 34,543
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BeauJangles
Lifer
- Aug 26, 2001
- 13,941
- 1
- 0
Ironwing said it, but I'd like to restate it - listening to your employees and trying to address their concerns will go a really long way, especially with employees that deal with customers. Obviously you can't let them run the company, but any time a lower-level guy gets to add his 2 cents and feels that his opinion is listened to, it really boosts his confidence.
Other than that, I like the idea of having games in the break room. The company my friend works at does big Costco run once a month and employees can request certain candies / snacks / sodas.
Other than that, I like the idea of having games in the break room. The company my friend works at does big Costco run once a month and employees can request certain candies / snacks / sodas.
Preyhunter
Golden Member
- Nov 9, 1999
- 1,774
- 12
- 81
You could have a game or contest of some type that has a prize of swapping jobs with the boss for a day, hour, whatever. It would be like the employee getting some paid time off without losing the productivity of the employee. It's also my personal belief that people are more willing to work hard for a boss that is willing to do the same work that he asks of his employees.
Unless you employ kindergarteners, grown people will not be excited by a scavenger hunt. And while i didn't really understand the Name Tag thing, that doesn't sound like it would boost morale either. And, of course, the crazy shirt day will not only not boost morale, but it will make people annoyed. At least that's been my experience with crazy shirt fridays at some companies. Although I would have to say it depends on the age of the employees. Older people for some reason seem to love crazy shirt fridays, while younger people (20's and 30's) are annoyed by it.
Something that I've seen done before that I found fun and so did the other people, was a bingo-type game. You make a 6x6 table for example, and you put different things in the boxes that people may do. IE: One box would say "born in another country", another would say "have been skydiving", another would be "can play the saxophone", etc. Then you print these out and give it to each employee. You give them 5 mins to go around and get other people to put their names down on the box that applies to them. When somebody has a full row, they yell bingo. Then you check their board and ask the other people to either demonstrate their talent (IE: if they put their name down on "can dance the Cotton Eyed Joe" or "can do a hand-stand") or to just confirm that they have done or know about what they put their name down on. This is a fun activity and again, gets the co-workers to get to know each other a little bit better. From my experiences, morale is greatly improved when the employees have a close-knit work environment and are friends with their co-workers, as opposed to when everybody is kind of isolated and just comes in to work, does their job, and goes home.
Another thing I just though of that may also help (depending on the age of the employees and their interests), may be organize a couple of sports leagues. If you throw in a PS2 or ping pong table in there, organize some tournaments for it. Maybe an ultimate frizbee league during lunch or after work. Something active and again, something that brings the employees together.
Finally, any kind of free food is a great idea! That will boost morale, give people some time to relax and talk with each other, and keep the employees fed.
Something that I've seen done before that I found fun and so did the other people, was a bingo-type game. You make a 6x6 table for example, and you put different things in the boxes that people may do. IE: One box would say "born in another country", another would say "have been skydiving", another would be "can play the saxophone", etc. Then you print these out and give it to each employee. You give them 5 mins to go around and get other people to put their names down on the box that applies to them. When somebody has a full row, they yell bingo. Then you check their board and ask the other people to either demonstrate their talent (IE: if they put their name down on "can dance the Cotton Eyed Joe" or "can do a hand-stand") or to just confirm that they have done or know about what they put their name down on. This is a fun activity and again, gets the co-workers to get to know each other a little bit better. From my experiences, morale is greatly improved when the employees have a close-knit work environment and are friends with their co-workers, as opposed to when everybody is kind of isolated and just comes in to work, does their job, and goes home.
Another thing I just though of that may also help (depending on the age of the employees and their interests), may be organize a couple of sports leagues. If you throw in a PS2 or ping pong table in there, organize some tournaments for it. Maybe an ultimate frizbee league during lunch or after work. Something active and again, something that brings the employees together.
Finally, any kind of free food is a great idea! That will boost morale, give people some time to relax and talk with each other, and keep the employees fed.
haha, this is a good idea. which made me think of something: give out Dilbert wall or desk calendars for all employees.
spin the bottle? 
usually lots of making out and sex is great for the morale, so if there are no hot chicks at your work, just hire some hookers. if you pay, they they're free for the employees, and free stuff makes ppl happy too right? win/win imo
usually lots of making out and sex is great for the morale, so if there are no hot chicks at your work, just hire some hookers. if you pay, they they're free for the employees, and free stuff makes ppl happy too right? win/win imo
meltdown75
Lifer
- Nov 17, 2004
- 37,548
- 7
- 81
oogabooga
Diamond Member
- Jan 14, 2003
- 7,806
- 3
- 81
have a decent breakroom : comfortable chairs, plenty of tables so people can sit alone if they want, have magazines (you don't even have to subscribe , just bring in your own, rip off your name/address), maybe pay for a newspaper subscription.
free food is especially good. I know I feel better about things when lunch is catered or what not and it's on my companies dime.
Even when coworkers bring in donuts or ice cream and have bowls and such it's great, makes the day a little better.
free food is especially good. I know I feel better about things when lunch is catered or what not and it's on my companies dime.
Even when coworkers bring in donuts or ice cream and have bowls and such it's great, makes the day a little better.
I actually ran these ideas by some people here at the office. While you're right about the shirts, the other two generated some interest. And I don't employ any kindergarteners...they're strictly on a volunteer basis
arrfep
Platinum Member
- Sep 7, 2006
- 2,314
- 16
- 81
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