‘CXOs are equally entitled to have fun at work like other employees’

Udit Mittal, Founder & Managing Director, Unison International

How can a healthy and fun working atmosphere have an impact on one’s productivity?
A good nice harmonious environment will be less stressful and thus result in better performance of the employee. After long stressful hours of work fun exercises help rejuvenate the environment and the employee, thus helping them to concentrate on work in a productive manner. In many organisations few game activities are organised to break the ice between the employer and the employee, thus helping them to understand each other better. It is observed that fun activities have always benefitted the employer in terms of understanding its employee and their key competencies.
How can a leader create fun at work? 
Typically in every organisation the top management is more confined to the four walls of the board rooms and their participation in fun activities is therefore very restricted. Also, some employers see that a close association with employees can take a little unprofessional turn and therefore they try to maintain a distance. However, in our organisation we follow a fun filled approach from top down levels and encourage participation among all hierarchies of management. We also believe it is the employer or top management who has the potential to create fun at work.
Employees can never be forced to have fun at work. If they are content with their job, they will automatically have fun at work. Do you agree?
I truly agree employees cannot be forced to have fun, a good job will want people to go to office everyday and, office becomes a playground rather than a battle field. For this it is essential that the skill set of the employee is mapped with the kind of work he is doing which is possible if there is a healthy communication between the employee and the employer therefore team building meetings and fun activities are always encouraged.
As far as creating a fun atmosphere at work place is concerned, what is the general trend in organisations at present? 
With world turning into a global village more informal cultures prevail, employees cannot be forced to work, therefore, most organisations are making flat structures and dividing the curriculum into work and leisure. In many organisations separate fun clubs/employee refreshment centers have been created in order to make employee feel more comfortable at workplaces thus increasing the productivity at work.
Isn’t the top management equally entitled to have fun at work like other employees?
Yes they are equally entitled as part of the organisation because they are more stressed and responsible than their junior counterparts. And it also helps to understand each other’s work and responsibilities in a healthier manner
What can companies do to encourage senior management to join this ‘fun’ group?
Companies can evaluate senior management on their interpersonal skills, their ability to gel with their juniors and colleagues, make them part of fun teams and make them compete in terms of informal competition.
Is it true that employees don’t take their bosses seriously if the latter participates in fun activities along with them?
No I don’t agree with this because they know that this activity is only for a purpose and performance at work is the key parameter which will keep the relationship intact.