Observed on the last Friday in January, National Fun at Work Day is a holiday that’s not only good for fighting against the dreariness of the average workday but is also a good way to combat the doldrums of winter in general.

Workers during this time of year can become depressed, anxious, and weary, so this holiday serves as a good antidote to give employees a much-needed break and an opportunity to refresh themselves. After all, employees spend approximately a third of their lives, if not more, at the workplace, so having a day of fun is the least any employer can do.

Facts About Workplace Fun

Even though some employers may not see the benefit in allowing their employees to have a little bit of fun at work, science actually shows that employees reap some remarkable benefits from occasionally having fun at work, and those benefits can make them better workers. Below is a short list of the benefits that workers can gain by having fun at work:

• Improved day-to-day task performance
• More motivation to come to work
• Increased productivity
• Reduced stress
• Fewer days called in sick
• Higher job satisfaction and job retention

Making Fun at Work a Year-Round Activity

Although it’s nice for an employer to give their workers a break on National Fun at Work Day, it’s actually a better idea to incorporate a little bit of fun into the workers’ lives on a weekly or monthly basis. Below are some tips for making the workplace a lot more fun for the other 364 days of the year:

• Have a casual Friday
• Hold weekly competitions with prizes
• Have Taco Tuesday
• Allow employees to listen to music

Observing National Fun at Work Day

This is a good holiday for employers to give their employees a chance to have a little bit of fun, or for employees to take it upon themselves to have a little bit of fun. If the employees choose the latter, however, they should first make sure that they’re not going to get in trouble for any work-related festivities.

Once that hurdle has been cleared, or the boss has given their blessing, then it’s time to party down on this January holiday. This day can be celebrated with a friendly game of wastebasket basketball, by hosting a dance party, or even having a boss look-alike contest.

Other ways to observe this holiday include having everyone bring in their favorite dish and having a potluck, or by spending the day in song. While celebrating this holiday, be sure to use the hashtag #NationalFunAtWorkDay to encourage workers all over the world to take part in the workplace celebrations.