New research shows that 82% of UK employees want their workplace to hold more regular team building events, in order to boost work satisfaction, a new survey shows.
The study, conducted by Just Eat for Business, investigated UK employee and employer attitudes towards social lunch breaks and workplace bonding.
The research reveals that – after 18 months of sporadically working in the office and remotely, for many organisations – workers are desperate to reunite with their team, as 75% say they would enjoy their workplace more with more regularly scheduled team building events.
The results were collated from over 200 UK-based organisations, and were segmented by role (executive, management, CEO), region, and business size.
Those in larger organisations are particularly keen to get to know colleagues better, as those in organisations with 300+ employees accounted for the highest proportion (93%) of those who’d be happier with more frequent socialising opportunities.
Most workers would enjoy their workplaces more with increased team social events, it makes sense that the most important outcome for the majority of workers (62%) is to create a friendlier work atmosphere.
Robin Dunbar, Psychologist at the University of Oxford, said: “This whole process of creating a bonded community depends on engagement in various activities, one of which is eating together, and that just creates a sense of belonging.
“It has huge knock-on consequences for your health, physical health and mental well-being, by virtue of forming friendships. In addition, it fosters a sense of loyalty to the organisation.
“However, you can’t make people engage. The best thing you can do as an organisation is to provide the opportunity.”
