Ban team building exercises for a feel good Friday

Anyone who hates team building exercises will welcome a survey published by Samaritans and Simplyhealth today, which reveals that at 4%, the least popular option for making people feel good at work is team activities, including away days. When asked to select their top two factors, 42% of workers felt that positive relationships helped them to feel good at work, compared with a mere 14% for hitting their targets. The poll of more than 1,400 workers found having a good work-life balance was the second (40%) most common reason for feeling good at work followed by receiving praise (26%).

The release of the survey coincides with Feel Good Friday (1 February), Samaritans’ annual fundraising day. Sponsored by healthcare provider Simplyhealth for the second consecutive year, the day aims to get companies to take part in ‘feel good’ themed fundraisers, in return for a donation to Samaritans, the helpline charity for people struggling to cope.

Other key findings from the survey show:

• 16% felt good about earning the trust of their boss.
• Having a good work / life balance makes more men (41%) feel good at work than women (38%).
• There is a significant difference in the value of having a good work / life balance depending on age:  35-44 year olds (47%) compared with those aged 18-24 (32%).

Rachel Kirby Rider, Samaritans’ Director for Fundraising and Communications said:

“Samaritans understands how interacting with people is really important and so it is interesting to see that having positive relationships  tops the poll of making people feel good at work. Our survey results demonstrate how looking out for each other’s wellbeing and having a good work / life balance is essential.

“Feel Good Friday is the perfect opportunity to take a little time out to have fun with your colleagues whilst raising vital funds to help Samaritans answer more calls from people going through a tough time”.

Mark Day, spokesperson for Simplyhealth comments: “Positive working relationships and feeling good whilst at work are really important when looking at overall employee health and wellbeing. Organisations with healthy, happy employees can find they see improvements in productivity and results.”

Find out more about Feel Good Friday by visiting www.feelgoodfriday.org

For a further breakdown of results of the Samaritans and Simplyhealth survey please click here: