What Is Gamification in the Workplace?

According to trustworthy, game-related news source Newzoo, it is anticipated that the video game industry will reach $200 billion this year. This prediction is representative of a 5.4% year-over-year increase. Additionally, the global market of board games in particular is said to be on the path to reaching a total of $30.93 billion by the year 2028, which will coincide with annual growth rates of approximately 13.70% between the years 2022 and 2028.

And the Society for Human Resource Management stated that in 2014 the United States was home to a total of 22 escape rooms. However, according to the Room Escape Artist, as of February 2021, the number of escape rooms had increased to a total of 2,080.

These important details are indicative of the suggestion that the gaming industry is projected to experience a continuous boom for the foreseeable future. Many wise and growth-focused employers are taking the opportunity to get in on the action ahead of time.

Gamification in the workplace
Before we continue, it is imperative that we define gamification. According to an article put forth by the SHRM, gamification is "an art of using the essence of games and applying it in real[-]life scenarios to increase user participation, engagement, retention … motivation[,] etc."  
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Here are a handful of examples that portray gamified activities:

• Events that focus on improving the experience of involved candidates are key; for instance, situations that demonstrate what a typical workday would look like when you work for the company. In fact, employers have learned that candidates who took part in gamification activities that were offered at work resulted in people who were better prepared for job interviews, like answering questions, feeling confident and knowing what would be expected of them.
• It encourages the sharing of knowledge and information. One way of doing this is by establishing a simulation game that employees are invited to attend on a monthly basis. At the event, you can pose a work-related challenge to everyone in attendance and have the employees work together to devise potential solutions to the proposed problem.
• Another idea is to enhance the level of safety training that employees receive. Consider doing so by implementing game applications that reinforce the importance of upholding, enforcing and complying with companywide safety protocols.
• Last but not least, prioritize the reduction of travel expenses by incorporating games that focus on employees who have to travel often for work.

How popular is gamification in the workplace?
According to various industry experts, gamification has shown swift growth in the consumer market, which employers have not caught on to at an equally fast pace. In fact, a Bersin study from 2017 stated that a mere 4.2% of employers make use of gamification within their performance management processes. Additionally, only 6.2% of rewards practices are reportedly inclusive of gamification.

Despite the lack of popularity among employers that are not clued in to the power of gamification, it is still widely discussed between HR professionals and within HR departments across an array of industries. Additionally, the adoption of gamification as a natural part of the workplace is anticipated to experience exponential growth. In fact, according to one report posted by Globe Newswire, "The Human Resource sector is expected to register the highest growth rate in the gamification market, having a CAGR of 27.8%." 

The advantages of gamification
The following examples are thought to be benefits of gamification in the workplace:

• Provides employees with additional ways to interact with employers as well as one another.
• Has been found to appeal to millennials, as gamification activities in the workplace are more incentivizing for millennials than for people who belong to other age groups. 
• Increases productivity levels. Studies have found that gamification minimizes the amount of time employees spend on the completion of each individual task.
• Heightens long-term engagement levels when appropriately administered, as gamification can act as a motivator for employees by enticing them to continue participating in activities actively rather than passively.
• Enhances the strength and effectiveness of training processes and the development of the business because studies have shown that gamification can improve the learning experience and make it a lot easier for those who are involved to retain pertinent information.
• Develops both hard and soft skills alike, as gamification can teach people not only how to establish such skills but also apply them in the real world. 

​While there are a handful of benefits of implementing gamification in the workplace, experts do caution that employers thoughtfully and thoroughly integrate gamification in ways that complement the workplace. The gamification technology must be adeptly designed before it can be promoted successfully and yield positive outcomes. Without careful consideration, gamification could backfire.