How Play Can Make Work More Rewarding

Over the last couple of decades, schools have moved further and further towards a play-centred learning environment as it has been found to yield better results. This is due to several factors, including the fact that it’s far easier for someone to learn when they are happy and relaxed. What may surprise you, however, is that this approach has been adopted by the world of business, where companies are becoming increasingly aware that enabling their employees to play has a positive effect on productivity.

Relaxation
The notion that a relaxed workforce can be more efficient has been in the business consciousness for a long time and has been demonstrated by numerous studies, but in the past, this was understood in terms of reasonable working hours and generous holiday allowances. While employees may have been encouraged to adopt a healthy work-life balance – although this was by no means always the case – it was seen as each individual’s own responsibility. Now, however, companies are aware that the working environment itself plays a large part in relaxing the employees and many are installing play facilities on the premises.
Creativity
According to award winning UK games company Home Leisure Direct  – a well-documented benefit of play is the effect it has on creativity: a crucial component of any successful business. Some companies place a premium on opportunities for play in the workplace in order to foster creativity. A fine example of this is ‘Google’, one of the most well-known creative companies in the world, who have set themselves the challenge of designing the best work environment there can be. Some innovations at Google include ample opportunities for physical play, such as slides, fireman’s poles and cushioned areas for tumbling. Additionally, they have introduced oversized furniture, ‘props’ such as large vehicles to play in and bright, patterned decor. This approach has won Google several awards for innovation and employee satisfaction as well as vastly increasing profits.
Productivity
Google’s increase in profits reflects the results seen in other businesses that have accepted and encouraged a playful environment. A relaxed and creative workforce is more likely to be innovative, as well as efficient; as the majority of internationally profitable businesses are those known for innovation, this translates directly to healthy returns. The flexible working conditions associated with this approach allow employees to choose hours that are most likely to result in high productivity, which can only benefit both the individual and the company.
As more employers discover the advantages associated with providing a creativity-friendly, relaxed workplace, it is becoming evident that it has the additional benefit of preventing work-related stress. With fewer hours lost to sickness, the efficiency of this approach should not be underestimated. As the evidence to support play in the workplace mounts up, it is likely that the individualised environment will become standard practice.