Impact of Hackathons on Employee Well-Being and Skill Development

This technical report summarizes a case study examining the effects of hackathons on employee well-being and skill development, focusing on 64 participants in a corporate hackathon at Pluralsight. The research identifies that participation in hackathons can significantly decrease anxiety and enhance feelings of belonging among employees. It outlines the importance of addressing pre-event anxiety, which can hinder success, particularly for minoritized and early-career developers. The report also discusses how team dynamics, characterized by a supportive culture of learning and belonging, can mitigate the negative impacts of anxiety, enabling participants to achieve both tangible and intangible outcomes. Furthermore, it presents hackathons as effective social interventions that can foster positive skill-related beliefs and learning at work. The findings suggest that organizational leaders should prioritize creating environments that promote learning and belonging during hackathons to maximize their benefits for employees.