Work team having lunch together in office
Happy hours. Traditionally, it’s a time for colleagues to relax, converse, and do some cathartic compassion. But for employees who have had drinking problems or who don’t drink alcohol, these events are hardly rewarding.
In other words, it’s time to shake up your team building rather than your martinis.
If you think it’s not important to provide zero-proof rallies for your team, think again. A recent study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis revealed how widespread alcohol abuse is among the professionals. The study suggests that nearly one in ten employees may be struggling with alcohol abuse disorder. For these individuals, attending a workplace-sponsored event designed around alcohol consumption could be personally and professionally disastrous.
As Pathways Treatment Center noted, there is a clear correlation between mental health and alcohol abuse. As alcohol consumption increases, mental well-being plummets. And those whose mental health deteriorates due to alcohol often turn to alcohol to cope. This cycle ultimately leads to a downward spiral that affects every aspect of their lives, from work productivity to interpersonal relationships. For example, Pathways explains that it is not uncommon for people with alcohol abuse problems to be unable to carry out their responsibilities or communicate effectively. You definitely don’t want that for them – or for your business.
Of course, you can’t always know who among your employees is actively abusing alcohol, in treatment, or in recovery. That’s why you should always offer alcohol-free team experiences. You don’t necessarily have to get rid of happy hours, but make sure they’re not your only opportunity for team bonding. Below are some happy hour alternatives to try that will promote camaraderie while being sensitive to the needs of each attendee.
1. Add time for shouting during your regular meetings.
Do you want your employees to feel more connected? Giving and receiving praise can be a winning strategy. Everyone appreciates when their good work is noticed, especially by their teammates and bosses. A Gallup poll cited by CNBC showed that nearly three-quarters of employees felt this recognition. reduces their risk of burnout. Unfortunately, fewer than 20% of organizations make praising employees a priority.
You can reverse this trend by adopting a philosophy that every meeting is a time to congratulate. For example, if you’re hosting a standing staff meeting, start it by asking participants to give each other positive feedback. Five minutes of verbal (or physical) high-fives is enough. Over time, these micro team building moments will help people become more comfortable sharing. Just make sure any recognition given is specific so that it has merit and value.
2. Host lunches and learning sessions.
Professional development has become one of the most sought-after employee benefits. In one survey, 68% of workers said they be more faithful to their employer if the latter has improved them. With this in mind, why not organize lunches and learning sessions? While lunch and learn isn’t a new way to build a team, it can work for your modern business. Additionally, lunches and conferences can be ideal for in-office, hybrid, and remote workplaces.
The secret to making your lunch and learning effective is to choose topics that engage everyone. To make topic selection easier, ask for ideas via a survey. Find out what your employees want to know more about, then offer those topics. Remember that your training lunches and meetings don’t have to all be focused on business topics. It’s nice to add something lighter every now and then so everyone can have a good time.
3. Dive into volunteering.
There’s something powerful about volunteering alongside your work colleagues. Not only are you helping a charity fulfill its mission, but you’re seeing yourself in a different forum. When you volunteer, you are peers. As a result, “title barriers” are immediately broken down, as are expectations of who should take charge. Let’s be real: in a volunteer situation, the CEO has no more influence than anyone else.
Not ready to embark on a formal volunteer program within your company? It is very good. Even if you just pay your team to volunteer once or twice a year, you’ll be moving in the right direction. Be sure to take plenty of photos of your volunteer activities to share through your internal communications as well as your social media channels.
4. Run hackathon sprints.
Workdays can sometimes feel more like scenes from “Groundhog Day.” To break free from the same old things, hold occasional hackathon sprints. Hackathons are rapid, intensive brainstorming experiences aimed at solving problems or radically innovating. They are also great vehicles for team bonding.
For your first half-day or full-day hackathon, challenge each team. Give teams the chance and resources to meet the challenge. Then, bring everyone together to share their concepts. Hackathons can create a wave of energy and cement your culture to make it dynamic and creative.
Happy hours may seem like the easiest way to get employees to relax. Yet many people can’t, shouldn’t, or won’t attend team-building events that include alcohol. To accommodate them, make team excursions and events more accessible to everyone by being zero-proof.