Lighter side: Morale-boosters we don’t recommend
July 1, 2009 by Jim GiulianoPosted in: Behavior, Communication
Lord knows, morale’s a big concern in today’s workplace. But some of the attitude boosters we’ve been reading lately … Take a look at these suggestions (they’re real, we promise; we’re withholding the name of the author to protect the Pollyanna-ish):
* Provide blank name labels and allow employees to make up their new “name of the day.” Now here’s a sure winner. Nothing says fun like an alias. “I’ll get right on that, Mr. Khan … er, may I call you Ghengis?”
* Ask each staff member to compliment another staff member of his or her choice, every day, in writing. No one may compliment the same person twice until having complimented everyone at least once. Yeah, this’ll work. Fast forward to Day 8: “You know, Bob, I think that dandruff thing is getting a lot better … ”
* Bring in marshmallows and allow people to roast them over the stove at lunch. We can see the headline: 18 burned in bizarre workplace bonding ritual.
* Be funny. A couple of knee-slappers for bosses: “Call a staff meeting to announce there’s no staff meeting.” “Hide under a table, and when people question you, tell them you’re trying to get a new perspective on things.”
Can’t-miss stuff. Let us know how they work out for you.
Tags: morale
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July 2nd, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Stupidity…it’s contagious!
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Umm Yeah…I would not do this because, well, they aren’t funny.
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Corihr:
lighten up, that is the point, they are funny because its not funny. Have a sense of humor, your employees may like you better. In these times, humor is a necessity and appreciated. The point being made here is to boost moral in any way you can that doesn’t break the bank.
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:34 pm
I guess I’m not the brightest then because this got a chuckle out of me.
And I agree with cj, lighten up.
We all, including myself, need to lighten up and sometimes it’s the ‘dumb and dumber’ stuff that works. It’s tiring to be around the ‘doom and gloom’ so I see nothing wrong with slapstick humor…needs to be politically correct of course. That old HR hat is always on
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:48 pm
I think that corihr is funny…perhaps channeling the Office Space Manager…
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:48 pm
EXCUSE ME CJ My employees like me more than any other HR person that has ever worked here and that goes for everywhere I worked per satisfaction surveys and performace evals. So that’s ignorant for you to say something about my employees liking me better without you knowing me. Wow Youre pretty sad.
We have fun around here all the time and we also do plenty of Morale boosters many I implemeted let me share: Pro Hockey Tickets, Pro Soccer tickets, pro baseball tickets, coin incentives for gift cards, we had a Luau last week, and it goes on. I just find these things not at all funny who would really do this. its not that i dont have a sense of humor they just are really unfunny…has nothing to do with being uptight. So until you give me some concrete evidence otherwise stating that my employees dont like me worry about your own employees and their appreciation for YOU!
Who said anything about you JL not being bright? i think you both need to lighten up Gee did not know I was not allowed to say something is not funny and have an opinion without being ridiculed. this is so insane. But believe it or not….this whole thing is making me laugh!
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Headline: Lighter side: Morale-boosters we don’t recommend.
———————————————————–
Life is short, laugh at things that you may think is not funny.
It was meant to be a joke, but as usual, the first two individuals did not take the time to read the headline of the article.
No CEO or HR person would allow such as activities as it flies in the Face of OSHA Regulations.
http://www.osha.gov/
Happy 4th of July to one and all…………..
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Oh wait CJ LOOK– its MORALE Boosters NOT recommended btw, just in case ya’ll missed that. Admit it though…this article was a sad attempt at being funny.
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:54 pm
I think morale is related to company culture, and what amuses one group may irritate another. The idea here seems to be to find things that will lighten the atmosphere for your group. We have had Hat day, Tie day, and general fun things that most appreciated. No one was required to participate, and the work got done, but the smiles were contagious.
July 2nd, 2009 at 2:05 pm
LDR: I concurr. I am not one amused by silly 6 year old stuff in the office place. I have a 7 yr old at home and it’s funny but in the workplace there is more appropriate behavior. But we have fun and it’s not like I walk around with a whip and whipping people into shape. When I make my rounds its to say hi and ask everyone how their day is going. But the fact is this is termed as things not to do and I would not do them b/c again they arent funny to me but apparently that upset people because Im not filing a WC case from falling out of my chair with laughter.
I work in a healthcare facility and if someone hid under their desk they would be committed to our psych ward. the Ghengis Khan thing offeneded a VietNam vet so i mean i dont get the funniness.
Like I said we have Luaus, barbeques, contests for free tickets to pro sports games, contests for all sorts of stuff. Believe it or not due to my professional contacts and such we get great discounts and deals. But i am done blogging and reading now!
July 2nd, 2009 at 2:16 pm
corihr sounds like the typical stuffy HR bimbo clerk who thinks being liked is part of her job. Deflate that ego. I would never hire you.
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Gee Whiz people. Lighten up. I work in LP and no one likes me. But, some of this stuff is pretty funny:-P
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:29 pm
I totally agree with corihr. The activities mentioned in the article are juvenile, and I’ve got to admit, I rolled my eyes as I read them. However, that being said, it’s sad to be ridiculed just because you may have a difference of opinion with another poster. Shame………… Have a wonderful Independence Day holiday, everyone.
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:45 pm
okay….that was a funny article…obviously not recommended as stated, but did get me to laugh out loud quite hard. Co-workers wanted in on the fun as to what I was laughing about & they found it amusing too. When economic times are tough among many other things within the workplace, it’s nice to take a break & laugh at the little things….
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Who said that Corihr is a female??
July 6th, 2009 at 8:58 am
I am a bit saddened by the lack of maturity displayed in the comments. We are all adults and should be respectful of all opinions and thoughts. While we may not agree with each other to speak negatively of someone or characterize them in a disrespectful manner is aboslutely ridiculous. What works for one does not work for another. Come to grips with that and move on. These articles are meant to spark comments and conversation about the contents of the articles, not disrespect. I will most likely be spoken horribly to after leaving this comment, but if that is the case then I have proven my point.
July 6th, 2009 at 9:01 am
I agree with CORIHR and his/her porfessional approach to morale boosting! Our company too has BBQs, contests, employee award programs (suggestion awards and Employee of the Quarter Award), we had “Spring Bonnet Day”, Hippie Day, we celebrate employees’ birthdays once a month, we have pot luck lunches, from time to time we furnish pizza for all, we have dept appreciation activities where each member of the dept gets a small token of thanks, like a quart of ice cream or a plant, and most we do our best to maintain an environment of respect and appreciation for each other and our patients (we are health care related facility). We encourage our Management team to take the time to personally address each member of their staff, if possible, with a good morning, or more importantly with VERBAL APPRECIATION for a task well done. We also have a company newsletter and invite ALL staff to participate…..some supply recipes, others poems, photos of their kids, etc. These are all very successful morale boosters in my workplace, especially at a time when salaries are remaining the same and bonuses have been slashed.
July 6th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
You guys are freaks. I am embarrassed by the lot of you. Actually defending eachother and analyzing the article. Typical HR nerds. Surely you all have some sort of sexual harrassment testing or comp analysis stuff you should be doing but instead you are fighting over freedom of speech. Dorks, all of you except those who agree with me, ha! Get back to work, Swine.
P.S. I actually hid under the table at a meeting and my boss never laughed so hard! I picked it up with my feet and moved it just a little so she asked someone else if they were moving it. It was damn brilliant and I have my BFA in I’ll tell you whats funny if someone wants my credentials:)
July 7th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
One of the really funny things is how strangers can so easily take offense and fight on the internet while they are supposed to be at work! I’m including myself in this as I’m writing this on company time.
July 7th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Most of us I assume are Human Resource personnel and this is an HR blog. So I consider the communication among us “work”!!!
July 7th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
I agree with Essie. I also think that Corihr is a little too sensitive. Take what you need out of these articles and manage your employees the way that you would want to be handled and the workplace will be a better environment. Laughter is great, so are BBQs and extracurricular activities, but remember that they are only bonuses that you receive if you do a good job.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
I think I chuckled more at these responses than the article…
July 9th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
C’mon Carol!
July 9th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
C’mon Carol! Men don’t act like that!
July 9th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
MJ — not gonna fight with you!
July 22nd, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Well the tip about roasting marshmallows over the stove, with comment of 18 burned in bizarre workplace bonding ritual got a chuckle out of me.
I volunteer at one of the Children’s Hospitals in Atlanta in the ER Dept. About once a month or so the the ER staff is provided marshmallows in the breakroom to roast. Sometimes the fixings for s’mores are available.
A silly and inexpensive thing to do but it truly is a morale booster and don’t you know the staff in an ER Dept., expecially in a children’s hospital needs to have their spirits lifted. ?
July 22nd, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Marie I’m just curious…… how do you roast the marshmallows in a break room?. Do you have an oven in our break room??
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:23 pm
MJ. The staff is provided with something that looks to me like a butane-fuelded can. There is no odor emitted so I’m not really sure what fuels the small flame. Roasting marshmallows takes more time with this method but it sure is safer than an open bonfire in the hospital.
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:24 pm
oops! type-o. Should ead butane-fueled can.
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:25 pm
oops again. Should “read” butane-fueled can. Maybe it’s time for me to go home and get some rest.
August 20th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
I like Nikkita…I think I’ll hide under my desk just to get out this HR meeting. I work for a company that does FX make-up and prostetics for the studios. Coming to work is fun.
October 1st, 2009 at 8:41 pm
I have never met Ghengis, but I must say that among my acquaintances are Khan, Mohammed, Castro, and Angel. That accounts for two people: Mohammed Khan and Angel Castro. Honestly! Mohammed Khan is an agronomist and Angel Castro was my eighth grade Spanish teacher. Would you people think it was office humour if I told you that Caroline Kennedy was my grandmother, Bobby Kennedy was my aunt, that John Kennedy is my brother, and that Edward Kennedy would be my other brother if he hadn’t turned out to be my sister?