As Diwali, the festival of lights, approaches, offices across India are gearing up for a season of celebration. Beyond the festive cheer and cultural significance, these celebrations offer a unique opportunity to boost employee engagement and foster a positive work environment.

Research has shown that shared experiences, such as festive gatherings, can significantly impact employee morale and productivity. A study published in the Journal of Organizational Behavior highlights the power of shared experiences in creating a sense of community and belonging. Gallup's findings further emphasise the link between employee engagement and productivity, suggesting that festive celebrations can be a valuable tool for driving business success.

Let's delve into the five key ways in which celebrating important festivals can ignite employee engagement.

How careful planning has an effect

The success of office Diwali celebrations often depends on HR teams' efforts. When HR professionals plan and carry out these events with care, they can have a big impact on how engaged employees feel. Torsha B, who edits at a market research company, credits her company's HR team for creating a Diwali experience to remember: "They put a lot of thought into the games, decorations, and the gifts. It's clear that they care about making the celebration special."

Cultivating camaraderie

When top bosses and staff get together to celebrate, it creates a feeling of friendship and teamwork. These group experiences can boost team relationships and make the workplace better. One boss said, "Taking part in Diwali celebrations has helped me bond with my team more. It's a good way to build trust and respect."

Building connections

Working together across departments can boost new ideas, help solve problems better, and get more done. When HR teams set up fun events, they give workers a chance to meet and team up. Shraddha, who's part of a culture group in a big Mumbai company, says, "We want to knock down walls between teams and get people working together. When folks from different areas join in on fun stuff, they pick up things from each other and make friends that last."

Saying hello to new people with a warm welcome

Diwali celebrations can help new employees break the ice. Taking part in festive activities allows new hires to form bonds with their coworkers and feel at ease in their new surroundings. Vidisha Sharma, a digital marketing professional, explains, "The informal setting of a Diwali celebration made it easy to connect with people and learn about the company culture."

Work zombies to engaged employees

As Satya Nadella highlighted, time and attention are valuable resources. When work becomes routine, celebrations provide essential stress relief. Sangitha Chakravarthy, who works as a legal professional at a corporate law firm in Bangalore offered her thoughts: "We often get emails about health, family issues, and stress through the Employee Assistance Program, but these messages can seem impersonal. Employees don't want to respond feeling swamped by their workload and afraid of being judged. That's why celebration games work so well; they give us a much-needed break from our daily tasks. Even coworkers who live far from their families enjoy these festivities since going home isn't always possible."

Hope you have fun and lively celebrations this season!