Play hard, work hard: Fun at work and job performance

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the relationship between workplace fun and three elements of job performance: task performance, organizational citizenship behaviors and creative performance. Positive affect and engagement are proposed as mediators of the relationships between fun at work and performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 245 working individuals who worked in a variety of organizational roles was used. Respondents completed an online survey to assess elements of workplace fun, positive affect and engagement. Participants were also asked to have a supervisor at work complete an online survey to assess their work performance.

Findings

Fun at work was positively and directly related to organizational citizenship behavior, and positively and indirectly to both task performance and creative performance. In addition, individuals having fun at work were also more likely to be more engaged in their work, and consequently exhibit greater creative performance.

Originality/value

This paper provides evidence to suggest that a fun working environment results in greater employee engagement and productivity.

Citation

R. Fluegge-Woolf, E. (2014), "Play hard, work hard: Fun at work and job performance", Management Research Review, Vol. 37 No. 8, pp. 682-705. https://doi.org/10.1108/MRR-11-2012-0252