Contrary to popular belief, the Human Resources Department does not hate fun. Just because we have to enforce a few rules now and then doesn’t mean we can’t have a good time or perpetuate a fun culture in the workplace. Our main goal is to see our fellow employees healthy and happy, and fun is essential to that!

We have to shake this reputation for stoicism, because employees aren’t going to have fun if they think we’ll squelch it with fire. So rather than being the antithesis of fun, here’s how we can make the office culture a little more lively:

• Have fun ourselves. When you see a group of people having fun, don’t you want to join in? Since our coworkers think we are The Anti-Fun, let’s lead by example to encourage lightheartedness throughout the organization. We can add some humorous quotes or pictures to our presentations, or try incorporating games and contests into our trainings. When people see we’ve let down our hair and loosened our ties, they’ll know it’s OK to follow suit.
• Share the importance of fun. Having fun is healthy for the mind and spirit—and for productivity. A fun work environment increases creativity and productivity, decreases absenteeism and turnover, decreases stress, and increases overall job satisfaction. In this way, a fun culture can actually improve the company.
• Recognize fun-makers. (See how we made up a word, there?) Did Finance have an ugly sweater contest for the holidays? Did Fleet wear their favorite sports gear on Friday? Did Marketing give funny names to their cubicles? Use your HR newsletter or an email blast to showcase these fun events and how they brought the team together. (Be sure to include pictures!) This encourages the fun-makers and inspires other departments to follow suit.
• Teach fun, and they will follow. We hold a lot of trainings here in HR. Have we ever held one about appropriate use of humor in the workplace? Training not only gives permission for employees to exercise their funny bones, it actually teaches them how they can do it within a suitable work context.

A fun office culture is good for the soul and good for the health of the workplace. So let’s rally, HR—let’s get out from under our cheerless reputation and spread some lightheartedness!