Playing in the office is fashionable and helps to improve employee performance. That is the conclusion of many experts who have studied the effect of relaxation through playing while at work, and the current trend for providing spaces dedicated to employee relaxation through games.

Foosball challenges, guitars, and yoga classes during work hours are alternatives to those already used by companies. According to experts, they favour the resolution of conflicts.

The workplace has changed – for the better

Rigid, strict offices with eyes that watch everything are no longer the norm. Far from the desks adorned with faces of stress, now at work you also have to play. Have fun. Why not play the guitar in some free time? Why not challenge the closest partner to a foosball game before making a difficult decision?

This work / play model, originally made popular by Google, has expanded. And more and more leading companies are betting on the use of games during working hours as a tool of seduction for their employees. Distraction instead of control.

The pioneer was Google, but various multinationals, and even banks like HSBC have got in on the act. Other important companies have gone as far as providing employees with innovative new experiences, such as taking a well-known rock band to do a show among the desks, in the middle of the afternoon!

The thinking is, if you are comfortable and mentally well balanced during working hours, your professional quality will be much better, explains one Human Resources director at HSBC bank. It is a new trend within companies that seek to generate an ’emotional contract’ with their workers and not only one based on service / salary.

What do you fancy?

Nowadays, employees can be seen with ping pong tables and armchairs or just hanging around for a while, or using a terraced gym or doing yoga classes in the open air.

The experience is more extreme in some companies, where the notions of working and having a good time do not have to be dissociated concepts and the office is transformed into a great socialisation scenario.

Certain enterprises have even appointed people to the position of “chief people officer” or chief of staff. In such places, employees manage their own time. They can choose to watch a Champions League game on TV, play the electric guitar or drums, rehearse a musical theme with their office mates, and play PlayStation or other games.

In some offices, employees can book a massage session or have a haircut with a hairdresser. They also organise FIFA tournaments (one of the most popular soccer games) and internal competitions to choose the best song that teams from different branches invent and record with instruments in the company.

Repackaging the old

All this during business hours? Yes! They believe that while the objectives of each team are met, and the work is delivered on time, interaction and play favour creativity, shorten time in the resolution of conflicts and are the new antidote to overcome the aversion of many young workers to being part of a, traditionally, dehumanised multinational enterprise.

Flexibility and creativity

The idea is that the culture is flexible and autonomous, that those who are part of the company can make their own decisions. One example of this is was on World Superhero Day, when employees in a certain company were encouraged to come to work in their favourite super hero costume for the day. It created a very pleasant and fun climate.

It’s a scientific approach

The phenomenon, which is growing, has bases studied by sociology. These are the so-called Generation Y (born since 1982) and Generation Z (born since 1995), which have grown up in democratic climates, seek a balance between professional and personal life and see work as a means and not as an end in itself.

Clearly, playing in the office helps provide some of that important life balance, and apart from physical games and activities, online and mobile games are also seen as a good way to stay sharp and practice concentration, strategy and quick-thinking skills, which in turn can boost productivity.

Here are 5 top games to play in the office whenever you feel you need a break:

Are you tired of checking emails and seeing spreadsheets at work? Take a short break and renew your energies with these fun and short games to play on your mobile or computer. Download these incredible free games from the Windows store and take that well-deserved break.

Microsoft Mah-jong

This is a classic game of couples renewed with beautiful images, intuitive controls and all the features that fans of this game can expect. Enjoy its amazing graphics and soothing sounds by choosing from three different themes. Complete the challenges in each of the three different levels, suitable for both beginners and experts. Also, by using the enhanced “Undo” function, players can backtrack and try to avoid their errors.

Taptiles

Match tiles in this exciting and original pair game. The cards form figures in 3D. If you cannot find a partner, turn the figure until you find it. The three game modes and countless Taptiles distributions make it a unique and fun game.

Candy Crush Saga

Have an adventure with Tiffi and Mr. Toffee in this sweet adventure within the Kingdom of Candy. Make your way across magical lands, go to amazing places and encounter the craziest characters. Swap and combine candies to play through the hundreds of levels available in this sweet puzzle adventure. This classically sweet game has become even sweeter! Enjoy this epic adventure alone or play with others and see who racks up the best score.

The Chess Lv.100

The most downloaded chess app in the Windows Store! The Chess Lv.100 allows you to adjust the difficulty between 100 different levels using the “Crazy Bishop” engine. You can select the capacity of the computer from 258 to 2300 based on the ELO classification. Chess Lv.100 chess allows you to play in a hundred different levels, from beginners to experts. Win medals by defeating your computer. Your prize will be a board design and different pieces as you win medals.

UNO and friends

UNO, everyone’s favourite card game, introduces a totally new social experience for free. Playing UNO with friends, with your family and with millions of fans from all over the world has never been so easy. Be part of one of the largest free mobile video game communities and start enjoying the innovative multiplayer experience, with totally new game modes and fun options to customise the game your way.