Afterwork: Post-work activities to relax and socialize.

Do you remember the last post where we talked about team building? Well, the afterwork is one of the most recurring team building activities and is one that is best received by employees. As its name suggests, after-work, it means after work, and that's when the magic of team building happens. This activity has a fun and socializing nature, not much is required of the workers, only that they relax and disconnect from their obligations by spending a pleasant time with colleagues.

Have you ever been to an afterwork or would you like to organize one? In this post we will see some examples. Keep reading!

What is an afterwork?

The afterwork comes from Anglo-Saxon culture, specifically from the City of London, where, after an intense day of work, the employees from the surrounding offices would gather in the typical English pubs to relieve tension with a good pint.

Currently, this custom has transcended the rest of the world and afterwork is understood as any team-building activity that is done right after work, which usually involves sharing a snack or doing some simple activity. The idea is for employees to interact, get to know each other, and have fun. The best part of afterwork is discovering new affinities you have every day next to you, but which, due to the workload or the stress inherent in the workday, you hadn't realized.

Although afterwork events are planned, genuine relationships emerge from them that end up leaving the office. Do you want to know how to organize a corporate event of this nature? Keep reading!

How to organize a successful afterwork?

For an afterwork to have the success you expect, you must first define your objectives: that a minimum number of people attend, that the feedback is positive, that new interactions arise, that some type of activity is carried out, that corporate news is communicated and that people welcome it with good predisposition... that is, before preparing the activity, think about why you want to do it.

Once this is clear, follow these steps so that you don't miss any detail:

• Select the appropriate date and time: choose a time slot in the calendar that is optimal for most participants. The ideal is for it to be right after the workday, so that there is no waiting and people don't go home, because then it will be more difficult to transport them to another location.

• Choose the location: choose an appropriate venue, such as a bar, restaurant, or terrace close to the workplace. Make sure there is enough space to accommodate all guests.

• Clear invitations: send invitations well in advance and make sure they include all the necessary details, such as the date, time, location, and the objective of the event.

• Relaxed atmosphere: ensure the place has a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere so that participants can enjoy a good time.

• Offer entertainment options: consider having background music, games, or fun activities to keep the atmosphere lively and entertaining.

• Drinks and appetizers: make sure to offer a variety of drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, and some appetizers or snacks so attendees can enjoy them while conversing.

• Facilitate interaction: if it's a large group, organize tables or areas where participants can interact more comfortably and fluently. Try to make the spots dynamic so that people don't get stuck in just one area. For example, hosting a cocktail party will help avoid this.

• Encourage participation: you can prepare some icebreaker games or activities to encourage people to participate. Do not forget that interaction between attendees is the main objective.

• Thank attendees: at the end of the event, thank everyone for attending and value the time they spent together.

What advantages will holding afterworks periodically have for the staff?

Fostering connection among the work team will always have positive effects, but it is something that requires persistence and patience, since personal relationships do not develop in a single day. Therefore, if you are thinking of doing team building activities, it is best to design a plan to do them consistently and periodically to see results like these:

• Strengthening of interpersonal relationships: these informal gatherings allow employees to get to know each other better, which helps build stronger relationships and promotes effective communication between them.

• Increase in camaraderie: by spending time together outside of work, employees develop a feeling of camaraderie and belonging to the team. This can improve collaboration and cooperation in the workplace.

• Reduction of work stress: afterworks offer the opportunity to disconnect from work and release tension. This contributes to reducing stress and anxiety related to the workday.

• Stimulation of creativity and innovation: by promoting a more relaxed environment conducive to interaction, employees can share ideas more openly, which can lead to new proposals and innovative solutions.

• Increase in motivation: knowing that there are moments of recreation and coexistence after work can be an incentive for employees to feel more motivated and committed to their job.

• Talent retention: a pleasant work environment and a cohesive team are factors that contribute to retaining talented employees in the company, as they will feel valued and more satisfied with their work environment.

• Development of social skills: afterworks allow employees to develop their social skills, such as empathy, effective communication, and teamwork ability.

• Celebration of achievements and successes: these events can be an occasion to celebrate the team's achievements, recognize good work, and motivate employees to keep striving.

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