How Can We Plan Fun Monthly Activities to Help Our IT Team Unwind and Recharge?

Dear All, I am Aditi Suryawanshi, working as an HR Admin in an IT company. We are planning to design monthly recreational activities for our employees. Kindly help me with ideas on what activities we can conduct to help the employees refresh themselves and also have an enjoyable time.

Thank you all in advance.

Regards, Aditi

Hi, I suggest forming a Recreation Committee consisting of one HR representative and one member from each department. The HR member can lead the Committee. Let Committee members suggest activities, subject to feasibility, including cost factors, for execution.

To start, you may celebrate birthdays of all employees on a particular day of the month. Additionally, you can plan for team-building activities on a monthly basis.

In the modern era, recreational activities can also be termed as employee engagement activities. It is believed that such activities will boost the morale of employees, keeping them active and engaged. As employers, employees should be treated as humans—more than just machinery and equipment. Unlike machines or equipment, humans have feelings, emotions, aspirations, and expectations.

Creating a Committee for Employee Engagement

Therefore, as suggested above by our learned professional colleague, create a committee, conduct a brainstorming session, make a comprehensive list, and then shortlist those items that will be truly beneficial and feasible within the available space. It can include indoor sports like carrom, chess, table tennis, etc. You can also celebrate birthdays, wedding anniversaries, milestones such as completing 5 or 10 years of service in the company, achieving sales targets, children's talent day, and the list goes on. Don't introduce everything at once as it may become unmanageable.

Ensuring Participation and Teamwork

You can involve one or two people from each department to ensure total participation. Never allow ego issues to arise; work as a team. Best wishes.

Hi, it is really a good initiative you are driving, and congratulations on it. The start will be small, but you will have options to take giant leaps as this grows. To begin with, you can always use festival days to connect with functions/departments and have quizzes, bay/desk decorations, ethnic dressing (best-dressed member competition), potluck, etc.

Event-wise Suggestions
Event-wise, you can mark a few days as per the international calendar days and conduct events like talent shows, Toastmasters, annual sports, inter-location meets, etc.

Hope this helps.

Regards, Ranganidhi V J

Employee Recreational Activities

Company Policy

To offer a program of diversified activities as an effective means of promoting good employee-employer relations. To provide administrative assistance to employee recreational organizations. To encourage employees to join and support employee activities.

Employee Recreation Association

Employees of the different departments may elect, with the appropriate Company approvals, to establish their own organization to sponsor and support employee social and recreational activities. These organizations are referred to as Employee Recreational Associations and may be established on a formal or less formal basis.

Depending upon the number of employees in the office and the percentage of participation, the Employee Recreational Association may be eligible for financial assistance from the Company. Inquiries regarding the establishment of an Employee Recreational Association or about an existing one should be directed to the HR Department.

Employee Activities

Employees are invited to participate in recreational activities sponsored by the Company. Membership in any of these activities is voluntary, but participation is encouraged as an excellent way for employees to know their co-workers.

Through the Employee Activities Committee, the Company sponsors activities such as Basketball, Bowling, Bridge, Camera, Chess, Cricket, Fishing, Golf, Softball, Stamp Collecting, Soccer, and Tennis.

Each month (or year), an Activities Dinner is held to recognize the participation of employees in these activities or in the promotion of worthwhile causes such as charities or evening education. Invitations to the dinner are based upon the degree of the employees' support (or it depends on company requirements and is optional).

The Company will consider supporting additional activities if a sufficient number of people are interested. Responsible leadership must be evidenced within the group. Matters pertaining to activities should be referred to the Activities Committee, or to the chairman of the particular activity.

Supervisor's Responsibility

Show interest in these employee-sponsored activities and encourage employees to join and actively participate. Employee activities can promote better understanding and cooperation among the individuals involved and can also be a valuable means of self-development.

While most activities are held after hours, occasionally a moderate amount of time for the activities officers and other designated employees may be required during business hours. Employees participating in these activities should, of course, maintain a proper regard for their job responsibilities. Any problem arising from work time spent in these activities should be discussed with higher management.

Best regards,
John /Chiang

You can do the following activities:

Weekly Fun Fridays
Include some post-lunch items around 4 PM, like pizza, samosa, vada, or anything within the budget. This actually increases employee motivation levels. We have been doing this for the last 3 years and have seen great results.

Employee of the Month Rewards
Give something good.

Team of the Month Award

Twice a Month Outdoor Activity

Please note that all of these activities depend on the approved budget.