A trophy is not a stranger to sports contests. In fact, it is a key part of that event. A match without a trophy doesn’t seem like a serious one. It’s what the players are vying for, the symbol of their victory.

Trophies aren’t exclusive to physical competitions. Even a local grade school gives away a trophy to the winner of their Spelling Bee contest. Cooking contests, pie-eating contests, beauty pageants, talent contests, and almost any match that measures skills and talents also use trophy as the ultimate prize.

But it doesn’t always have to be a prize for the game winners. Believe it or not, there is also a need for trophies at the workplace.

When staff members do a great job, the management usually hands out appreciation plaques. These plaques show that their hard work is acknowledged and greatly valued. Whatever a staff member’s place in the office is, he will strive to do more because he knows he is a respected member of the unit.

If plaques show appreciation and promote hard work, trophies can keep the balance in the office. A trophy doesn’t have to be about serious things all the time. It can be a source of entertainment for the employees, who, amid the tension in the workplace, need a reminder that they have to relax a bit sometimes.

An annual “awards show” can do the trick. Staff members can vote for their fellow workers for humorous categories. Examples are an award for the most worthy worker who has drunk the most cups of coffee in a day and a trophy for the office Karaoke King and Dancing Queen for the gifts they have displayed during a previous office party.

It’s not to ignite the competitive nature of the workers. The awards should not be serious at all, and should be humorous and inoffensive. With this awards show, employees will hopefully be reminded that even though they need to concentrate and give their best while working, they should also have time to loosen up and enjoy their colleagues’ company. They may be in that place to work, but they are also working with their colleagues.

The whole year may have been very busy and stressful for everyone, but an “awards show” once a year will make it fun. That’s one way of creating balance in the workplace. Laughing with each other can diminish the tension in the office.