Are you finding that your employees are focusing more on their job security than their actual job? The state of the today's economy seems to be putting a lot of fear in the minds of many workers, resulting in a stressful environment. But it's possible to thrive in these turbulent times by implementing some fun in the workplace. Here are 10 guidelines from Bob Pike for business owners to follow:

• Recognition of personal milestones. Recognize the birthdays of your employees with cakes or small gifts such as pens, pencils or a mouse pad. When it's an employee's anniversary, think of valuable gifts like a coffee mug or desk clock.
• Fun social events. Host picnics, holiday parties and simple social gatherings to allow employees to have time to get closer with each other.
• Public celebrations of professional achievements. When an employee is doing well with sales, acknowledge him in front of his colleagues. Give out employee-of-the-year or quarterly most improved employee awards.
• Opportunities for community volunteerism. Ask your employees to spend time picking up trash at a local park or join civic and volunteer groups.
• Stress-release activities. Add a wellness program, an exercise facility or a dance class to allow employees relieve some built-up stress.
• Humor. It's always good to smile and laugh each day. Add jokes and cartoons to the company newsletters or at the bottom of your e-mails. Employees will look forward to getting a message from you.
• Games. Keep a dartboard around the office, host a bingo night or karaoke contest or create company-sponsored athletic teams. Your employees will relieve stress with some competitive events.
• Friendly competitions among employees. Have a contest to pick the winner of a show like American Idol, organize NFL or NBA pools around the office, or even offer a gift for the sales team - whoever gets the most sales wins something of high value.
• Opportunities for personal development. Hold sewing classes or music lessons, or start a book club for employees.
• Entertainment. One way to bring employees together is through skits. Encourage them to act out their favorite scene from a movie, sing a song from their favorite band or dance with others.

Stitches Magazine