article_snippet: If your workplace is like most, the answer is a big fat nothing.
article_snippet: After all, companies need to generate profit, and it's hard to generate profit when your employees are huddled around a television,
article_snippet: What this perspective overlooks is that productivity isn't simply a function of how many hours we spend at the office.
article_snippet: this perspective also depends on the quality of our workplace experience.
article_snippet: For one thing, they make us more motivated.
article_snippet: The social pressure to achieve results can serve as a stronger motivator than anything a boss can say.
article_snippet: To motivate employees, managers tend to rely on bonuses, promotions, and salary increases, ignoring the fact that as humans, we all have a basic psychological need for meaningful relationships.
article_snippet: Yet the research is clear: When we feel valued and respected by those around we, we're not only more motivated -- we're also happier, healthier, and more productive.
article_snippet: For too many organizations, investing in quality employee relationships means one thing: team-building exercises.
article_snippet: Every year, corporations spend millions on off-site retreats and weekend getaways packed with cringeworthy activities that purportedly foster better communication.
article_snippet: This way, employees have reason to root for one another, fostering a sense of collaboration.