Achieving a Balance of Work and Play in the Office

In a career where creativity is required, it is vitally important that the workplace allows for its cultivation as well. Though reputable advertising and marketing agencies  may initially hire innately creative individuals, it is crucial that the employee’s creativity is fed continuously. 

Play in the workplace allows for employees to create the best possible content for clients but there must also be an element of work in the office or nothing will get done. With both elements holding equal importance it is up to marketing agencies and other companies create an environment where both elements can thrive. After that environment is achieved, balance must be created and maintained.

Work

At all marketing agencies work must be done in order for anything to get accomplished. An office that is so full of fun and play that it has no room for productivity is terminal. No work leads to unhappy clients which leads to bad business and failure.

Letting employees at advertising and marketing agencies know that work is the first priority is important. Express to employees that the work must get done first and foremost but that does not mean that no fun can happen along the way. Setting clear goals and deadlines in a work space sets clear expectations and hold the employees responsible for their work.

Play

Psychological studies have shown time and time again that the happier the employees are the more productive they will be. There are even specific sects of business psychology dedicated entirely to helping companies improve employee morale. Once the employees become truly satisfied and happy in the work place, productivity has a tendency to skyrocket.

So what kinds of activities are appropriate for marketing agencies and other work places to implement?

Say your office is located in beautiful Utah. Perhaps you are close to Utah Lake or some of the mountains. Taking one day a month to allow the employees to work outside in the fresh Utah mountain air and implementing small activities on this day is a great way to improve employee satisfaction.

Perhaps you do not work in Utah close to mountains and lakes and must find a different way to play. Allowing for activities in the office is a perfect way to bring play to work. Perhaps you have nerf guns laying around the office for anyone to use at any time.

Amenities like pool or Ping-Pong tables that employees are permitted to use at all times allow for a free space to battle writer’s block and midday slumps. As an employer feel free to join in and even instigate the festivities. This shows employees that play is safe and acceptable.