When “Fun” at Work Isn’t Fun at All

Creating a great place to work is important. But let’s talk about the flip side of companies that chase a "fun culture" at the expense of everything else.

Ping pong tables, dress-up days, and quirky Slack emojis don’t automatically make a workplace engaging or psychologically safe.

I’ve seen several clients and even worked in companies that have tried to boost engagement and lift morale by leaning into fun. The intention was good, but the outcome often missed the mark. Why? Because it lacked depth and was used more as a band-aid to fix employee morale. There was little alignment with purpose, collaboration, or what success actually looks like in their context.

And when:

Employees are overworked but expected to "smile and participate," real issues like poor leadership or unclear communication are pushed aside, or “fun” becomes another item on the to-do list; it starts to feel performative, not energising.

People want to feel seen, heard, and connected to something meaningful, not just entertained.

Real culture is built on trust, purpose, and human connection. If that foundation is in place, fun follows. If not, no amount of Friday cupcakes will fix it.