Fun missing from the workplace in Britain

Published on Sunday 27 January 2008 21:24

THE UK is at the bottom of a European "fun" league table because more than one-in-three people suppressed that side of their personality when they were at work, according to a new report today.

A study of 4,000 employees across Europe cemented this country's reputation as having the toughest working culture.

An "alarming" number of workers left their sense of fun at the door when they arrived at the office or factory, and many even subdued their creativity because they wanted to fit in to a growing "corporate climate".

Around 37 per cent of employees admitted that they suppressed any feeling of fun when they arrived at work, compared with 13 per cent in Holland and 19 per cent in France.

Two out of five Belgians actually accentuated their fun-loving side at work, according to the study by business psychology experts OPP.

Lucy McGee, the firm's head of marketing, said: "People pick up on clues that inform their sense of what behaviour is required from many things. Our figures suggest that these pointers are telling UK employees that having fun, taking risks and being creative aren't appropriate.

"That has clear negative effects on morale, productivity and retention."

The study also found that recruiters were split on the issue of personality, with half wanting candidates who fitted in with their company culture, while others were looking for people to "bring something different" to their organisation.