In many modern companies, internal employee relationships are now held in much higher regard than they used to be. It used to be the case that people would simply turn up to their workplace, socialize as much as they were required to and then they would go home at the end of the day to their individual social lives and families. These days, however, we tend to look at our colleagues in a slightly different light - as potential friends. There are some clear benefits to this, of course. If you get on with the people you work with, you are less likely to have any workplace conflicts, and you can be much more productive as a team. One way in which modern office relationships are built is by colleagues spending time with one another outside of working hours. If you feel like your team could do with a bit of bonding to bring you all closer together, why not suggest that you do something together that doesn't involve anything to do with your jobs? Here are a few ideas to get you started.
The Annual Party
Most workplaces have a Christmas party every year - a chance to let your hair down and enjoy some downtime with your colleagues (usually fuelled by a lot of drink too!). If you have been tasked with organizing your office's party this year, you might feel a fair amount of pressure to pull off a great event. Office parties can be notoriously awkward occasions, which is probably why stereotypically everyone reaches for the booze! However, if you provide enough entertainment people will be less tempted to drink out of awkwardness, and you can avoid any of those embarrassing stories heading around the office the next day! That doesn't mean to say, however, that you can't have fun and be a bit silly. Photo booth hire is a popular option for affordable party entertainment, or you could even attend an event together such as a cocktail making class. Don't take it too seriously and you'll be bound to have put on a work party to remember.
After Work Drinks
The notion of 'after work drinks' is something that has been steadily creeping up in popularity in recent years. However, it is still largely kept within the confines of metropolitan cities like London and New York, where there are large numbers of office workers. That doesn't mean to say that you can't have a slice of the action too, though. Suggest weekly drinks on a Friday night to loosen up after work, and you'd be surprised at how many of your colleagues will show up.
Team Day Out
Team days out were commonly known as 'team building activities,' but this very term is liable to make the vast majority of us cringe into our desk chairs. Try and see a team day out as just that, a day out - and if you do end up doing some team building while you're there, well, just view it as a plus! There are plenty of innovative companies that are now offering great days out for business staff, so let your imagination run wild.
