Ceremony as an Integration of Work and Play

Abstract

This paper proposes that it is functionally valuable for work organizations to diminish the dichotomy we experience between work and play. In doing so the work participants can better integrate the experience of work into life satisfaction. The quality of work life, a factor which has received much attention recently, can benefit from the experience of 'flow' associated with play activities. This article looks at differences in the characteristics of work and play as activities, and proposes that formal ceremonies in work are an integration of the two. Functional benefits are discussed, as are potential concerns in ceremony introduction or design.