Workplace fun is a thin disguise for office politics.

On the surface of things, it can almost seem wholesome that management wants to arrange some kind of team-building game or an award to recognize their hardworking employees. When so much of the average job is generally stressful and boring, it is nice to feel like those in charge are doing something to lighten the mood now and then. Many workers believe that they deserve it.

That being said, just because something is not monotonous doesn’t mean that it is free of the hierarchy and petty gripes that define many workplaces. In fact, these supposedly fun detours often end up being a way for the worst parts of the job to show themselves in irritating and insidious ways. It is not fair to those employees who deserve to be able to let loose and enjoy themselves for a moment, but it happens nonetheless. 

As a result, it is sometimes best to approach any kind of mandated workplace fun with a dose of skepticism. It is nice if it all works out, but when it doesn’t, things can get even uglier than the average office argument. It can make certain coworkers surprisingly ruthless.