To appreciate the employees and to make them happy few companies understand that they need to have fun in their staffers at least sometimes. Management shows employees they are valued with dance parties, field trips, unexpected financial giveaways and lots of free food.

That is not a priority for many employers. But it should be. Many say they are fretting about how expensive it is to advertise, recruit and train new employees, not to mention the toll it takes on morale. Theyre racking their collective brains over how to attract and keep the best talent. Its become such a key issue because unemployment is low, and the supply of jobs is high. That adds up to lots of options for employees.

Throwing money at staffers isnt always the answer. Neither is throwing a party every few months. Having fun at work and creating a organized team is just one element. The most successful companies also realize flexibility, values, career development and providing meaningful experiences are also important elements to minimizing turnover. The interesting thing is that many of the companies that value having a good time usually incorporate those other elements too.