Is a Social Office a Successful Office?
7/23/2010 at 9:50 am by
Do workers’ conversations about the series finale of Lost make you feel like you’re paying them to chit chat? Well, before you get all hot and bothered, you may be interested to know that a little laughter and casual conversation can go a long way in promoting overall office productivity.
A recent study from the Gallup Wellbeing Finder shows there is a direct correlation between happy workers and top performances. People who feel like they have friends at the office are seven times more likely to be engaged with their work. Moreover, the survey shows that workers who are unhappy in the office can cost a company up to $28,000 a year in sick days.
So what can you do to strike the balance between healthy socialization and a job-focused environment? It may be smart to coordinate activities to get colleagues together outside of the office. This facilitates camaraderie without making the workplace a social site.
It may also be wise to promote amiable co-worker interactions by taking the time to be friendly (but not friends) with staff members. Even just a little smile in the elevator or polite questions about holiday activities can make workers feel they are valued in the office.
You shouldn’t necessarily let employees play solitaire on their computers or spend hours on end discussing what happened on Glee, but remember, moderate socialization may literally pay off.





