More than a Break: Dairyland Introduces Quarterly “Recess”
In 2024, Dairyland launched Operation Great Place (OGP)—an initiative designed to build on our strong culture and take it a step further. The goal of OGP is not simply to make Dairyland a nice place to work, but a truly great place to work. The initiative invited OGP project team members to think creatively about how to make our workplace more enjoyable, engaging, and connected for everyone. One outcome of this effort was the introduction of a quarterly 30-minute recess at both our Stoughton main office and Pound manufacturing facility.
Recess is structured as an optional 30-minute activity held once each quarter. Ideally, recess gives employees a chance to step away from their desks and connect with colleagues in ways that feel refreshing and meaningful.
Why Recess?
Recess offers a deliberate pause in the workday and presents an opportunity to shift focus from numbers, spreadsheets, and project deadlines to laughter, teamwork, and fun. Much like the breaks we enjoyed in elementary school, recess provides time to reset and recharge. Depending on the activity, employees may participate individually or in teams, encouraging collaboration, lighthearted competition, and creativity.
By spending time together in this way, employees can strengthen cross-departmental connections, support their mental and physical well-being, and return to work with renewed energy and focus.
I like having a break from work to be silly with my coworkers and have fun. I enjoyed playing board games and doing a race outside, as well as more creative activities that I wouldn’t have thought of trying on my own. A dedicated time also helps me get closer to my coworkers that I don’t have a lot of day to day contact with.
-Buket Allı, Accounting
To date, recess activities have included playing a rousing few rounds of “That Sound Game.”
A competitive obstacle course relay that saw the “finals” play out at our summer picnic.
And, a tie-dye workshop.
Other Engaging Activities at Dairyland
Recess is one component of a broader strategy called the “Fun & Togetherness” plan, intended to build on connection and engagement at Dairyland. Other pieces of this plan include:
- Half-day paid outings with your department
- Trivia happy hours
- Monthly raffles for prizes during team meetings
- Spirit Week dress-up days during Volunteer Week
- Company-wide incentives tied to volunteer hour milestones
Together, these programs reflect our ongoing commitment to cultivating a workplace where employees feel valued, connected, and motivated. While Recess lasts only 30 minutes, its positive effects extend beyond the activity itself—strengthening individuals and relationships, and reinforcing Dairyland as a great place to work.
I love that Recess is a great reminder that stepping away from our daily routine can help us return more energized and engaged. We always do something creative and fun, which allows us to connect with different departments and colleagues beyond the usual workday. It’s a tradition I really look forward to each quarter!
– Sara Stern, Inside Sales
Ensuring Lasting Impact
The introduction of recess has so far yielded positive outcomes for both employees and the organization. As important as it may seem to get out and be active with team mates, however, it is equally as important to us to ensure recess and other initiatives remain relevant and meaningful for our team. We will continue to measure the effectiveness of new activities through short follow-up surveys and our annual engagement survey.
Our employee engagement is at an all-time high, 4.45 out of 5 this year, and that’s no accident. Recess is a clear example of how we live our people-first culture, creating space for fun, connection, and joy that carry into the way we work together and succeed as a company. Employees consistently point to our relational culture and investment in people as top drivers of engagement, and recess is one way we bring that to life.
– Amy Wedell, Programs and Systems
