Encouraging employees' hobbies boosts engagement and productivity

Creating a sense of connection and workplace community has become more and more challenging in a remote world.

A third of employees feel disconnected from their coworkers and company culture, according to research from Achievers, a workplace recognition platform. Thirty-one percent of HR leaders say they have concerns over whether employees are fostering connections with each other during the pandemic, according to people management software company Principles.

ClassBento is helping employees tap into their interests and reconnect with their coworkers. The activity booking platform allows employees to participate together in more than 10,000 in-person and remote activity options, like group chocolate making sessions, DIY craft options and cooking and mixology classes.

“A lack of opportunity for team bonding and collaboration can result in disengagement, leading to a steep decline in motivation and innovation,” says John Tabari, co-founder and co-CEO of ClassBento. “Taking a step away can be challenging when we’re in the thick of it, but incorporating new, creative activities during or after work can enhance work culture through increased trust and improved innovation and motivation.”

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During COVID, employees have struggled with the weight of home and work responsibilities, leading to mental health stress and burnout. Taking time to disengage from work tasks and interact with coworkers in a fun and low-key way can help rebuild a sense of connection that many employees have lost, Tabari says.

“If a team member lacks the opportunity to regularly engage in playful activities, this might result in a sense of frustration, moodiness or rigidity,” he says. “What many teams really need in order to thrive and connect is the ability to simply ‘be’ — to be normal people, to be social, to be playful, and to be creative for creativity’s sake.”

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ClassBento, originally launched in Australia, has recently expanded its course offerings to the U.S. Companies including Pfizer, Accenture, Facebook, Netflix, PayPal and Spotify have utilized the platform to facilitate team bonding.

Whether employees participate together as a group or individually, the classes are a release from the pressures and uncertainties of life, Tabari says. Employees can tap into their creativity and express themselves as people first.

“Providing an experience for your team can really show them you care about their well-being and prioritize opportunities for team building and bonding,” Tabari says. “Leaders must think creatively to foster a culture of innovation in their teams — and this may come down to the implementation of one simple action: play. Play has little to do with outcomes and everything to do with experiencing the present moment in all its fullness.”