Happy hour at work: Non-alcoholic ways to unwind with colleagues
Nikhil came home whistling that day. He looked happy because he was humming his favorite tune!
"What’s the matter?" asked Priya, his wife.
“You seemed to be happy today.”
“We have a team potluck next week in the workplace as part of our work happy hour program. I’m really excited and looking forward to it! I will cook my signature chicken dish. What do you think?” Nikhil declared in a cheerful tone.
Sounds fun, right?
I get it. That’s what is called work happy hours, and in this article, we’ll discuss what they are and how you can incorporate them at your workplace, too.
What is happy hour at work?
Happy hours at work get their concept from happy hours at restaurants and bars, which usually offer a discounted price on foods and beverages on a certain day/time. Happy hour at work usually happens on a Friday evening when employees unwind with colleagues through fun games, activities, or celebrations. However, you can have happy hour at work on any day of the week.
Why should you consider happy hours at work?
Remember, happy employees are the best employees. That means it’s necessary to have fun activities like happy hours at work regularly in any workplace that will keep the employees engaged. Regular practice of happy hour at work helps employees to unwind and connect with their colleagues beyond the scope of work in a fun way. And when employees are happy and fulfilled, it boosts productivity and employee retention. As the latest reading from Gallup mentions, 41% of employees leave a workplace when there is a lack of engagement and culture, making it one of the top reasons for employees to quit work.
Happy hour at work is not just for employees to have fun, but employers can benefit too. While happy hours promote a good work-life balance, it also helps employers to build a positive work culture. So, to showcase yourself as a preferred employer, having such fun activities at the workplace is a must, along with a positive work culture.
Ideas for happy hour at work
You can get as creative as you want, but if you’re just starting out and looking for ideas, here are some fun ways to kickstart your happy hour at work.
Non-alcoholic drinks party
When we hear happy hour, some adult drink ideas come to mind. How about replacing them with some fun, non-alcoholic drink ideas? Let your employees go creative and create some cool, non-alcoholic beverages for their teammates. Here are some quick and easy recipes to help you get started!
https://youtu.be/ZE3G8aUyOn0?si=3OqW9Lf1UsnKllbh
Open up the floor
If your office is in a coworking space, opening the event to everyone on the floor is a great idea. This allows employees to connect with other employees, mingle, and exchange thoughts.
Think of food
Happy hours are all about having some good food and beverages to enjoy after a hard day at work. Think of some cool, non-alcoholic beverages that employees can enjoy with good food. You can also go creative and arrange a potluck, where employees can bring extra food to share with their colleagues. That way, everyone will get to taste different varieties of cuisine while the ‘chef’ within can get a chance to show their culinary skills!
Pick a theme
Remember the fancy dress parties you used to love as a child? Why not bring it back to the adult life? Pick a theme for the evening and ask employees to dress accordingly. You might also want to choose the best-dressed employee and treat them to little goodies! You can see maximum participation while employees enjoy dressing up in their favorite characters.
Spend time in the neighborhood
A happy work hour need not be confined to the workplace. You can organize a picnic lunch in a neighborhood area where the employees can enjoy the outdoors with their colleagues. You can also arrange some fun outdoor games for the employees to indulge in.
Go creative
These are just some ideas to help you get started. You can also get creative and come up with your own non-alcoholic ways to help your employees unwind.
FAQ
What is happy hour at work?
Happy hour at work is a designated time, usually on a Friday evening, for employees to unwind and engage in fun activities with colleagues. It mirrors the concept of happy hours at restaurants and bars but focuses on team bonding and creating a positive workplace atmosphere.
Why should companies implement happy hours at work?
Happy hours at work boost employee engagement and satisfaction, leading to increased productivity and retention. They help employees connect beyond work tasks, creating a fun and fulfilling environment that promotes a positive work culture.
What are some non-alcoholic activities for happy hour at work?
Non-alcoholic activities for happy hour at work include organizing potlucks, hosting themed dress-up events, planning picnic lunches in nearby areas, and arranging fun outdoor games. These activities encourage team bonding and creativity.
