Remote teams can dress up for remote meetings, even if their outfits wont be on display all day. For instance, take their opinion during decisions like on-boarding new technology or a specific project. You might find that employee appreciation becomes a tad bit easier and a whole lot more fun. We also had a really strict limit for spending, like $20. SWAG stands for "stuff we all get." Barasha can be found either searching for interesting HR buzzwords to write about or looking at pictures of cozy Bel Air mansions. Vantage Circle. Before the . Even a small gesture like a "thank you" goes a long way to boost productivity, increase performance and improve morale among the workforce. Employees who want to learn about new tools, techniques, or topics but have less time on their hands will consider it a fabulous opportunity. #StayStrongWF Spirit Week April 6-10. Ensure time is spent checking in on the teams main priorities - any urgent issues that need to be addressed? Why not recognize these incredible non-work achievements in front of their peers? See: How Indoor Ventilation Systems Can Help Prevent or Permit the Spread of COVID-19 . It might sound kind of silly, but when the right company SWAG is used- it can have a big impact on building a positive workplace culture. I hope this article has in some small way helped your and your teams trek through this extraordinary time. It is working together that will get us through this time. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Legal. To truly show your employees that they are doing a great job, bring in some fun office traditions like "Taco Tuesday.". The Kaiser Family Foundation found . Book an Airbnb virtual experience. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your team is to enable them to let off some steam without the pressure to perform. Keep employees engaged and excited with some friendly competition. Keep Little Hands Busy. Plan out your meals and snacks ahead of time, such as at the beginning of the week or workday. This calculation is based on it costing about six to nine months . Remote teammates can enjoy a show while learning more about coworkers special skills and abilities. Here are some ideas that seem newly relevant given the constraints of 2020 and beyond. Typical activities include theme days, costume contests, and online parties. Inject Fun and Humor. PopCap, the company behind legendary Facebook games like Bejeweled, offers some fantastic break rooms for its 400 odd employees. Celebrating employee birthdays never gets old. As anyone whos tried to organize any office activity knows, its hard, if not impossible, to find something that everyone will like, so some offices are offering a whole buffet of choices to pick from: My company couldnt find an online activity that worked for 40 people, so theyre offering a few different options. By hosting your fundraisers online, you can reach new supporters both near and far from your school without needing to leave your desk. How to be a good coworker and leader during this crisis. Or you might feel concerned about the health of others, such as those who you care for or live with. Online fundraising allows you to make a big impact even if your team is limited in members or budget. Should I bring a date? 4. When you actually take the time out to get involved with them personally, employees feel that you genuinely care about them. Avoid the cafeteria as it can be very distracting. Thoughtful ways to build community and pride. You can even turn your staff into the bartending experts: We had a party earlier this year where there was one big Zoom call, and then we broke out into a set of breakout rooms where colleagues had volunteered to teach others how to make their favorite cocktail. Breakout rooms enable guests to have more intimate conversations, so that no attendee feels like an observer. Outdoor days are one of the best summer spirit week ideas for work. Also, remember to turn your phone off. You. Recommended Case Study: Indias Largest Telecom Company Boosts their Global Employee Engagement with Vantage Rewards. However, you could include a holiday theme in your virtual spirit week during any time of the year. The tours could happen on a single day, or throughout the week. Gain practical tools and strategies to lead your remote team to high performance with mycomplimentary webinar and check out my new e-course: Lead High Performing Remote Teams That Thrive Through COVID and Beyond. As much as we'd like for things to be "business as usual" this holiday, planning for Christmas 2021 requires a little more work to keep guests happy and healthy. Make Sure You're COVID Safe. A crisis like this can either break ateamdown and widen any cracks in its foundation, or it canresult in the emergence of true greatness. Hosting online costume contests is one of the best spirit week dress up ideas for work. Have regular check ins with individual team members. Do I really have to go at all? Challengers can play the games directly in the channel, or via direct message. Heres a way to see people in-person from the safety of your cars: Our company has had a couple of drive-through events set up in the parking lot of the main company campus. Check out BoostEducatorsChallenge.com for details. Daily Dose of Kindness (sent daily) Weekly Kindness Idea (sent weekly) General Newsletter (for everyone) General Newsletter (for educators) Guests can dress up too. And encourage team members to let you know whenever they need any kind of support whether related directly to their work tasks or to any challenges they might be personally facing in the new situation. There are few things that employees feel more love for than an extra day of freedom aside from the weekend. Want to give someone the gift that keeps on giving? Here are some suggestions: A team reset meeting will ensure team members take time to identify how to best work together in this new reality so that the team can maintain a sense of community, transition through this change effectively, and maintain (and even improve) team performance during this time while supporting the well-being of team members. Get advice from seasoned professionals about all your compliance questions and concerns. Shared items such a candy jars, cereal boxes, and containers of nuts should be removed for the safety of all workers. So far, people have hosted presentations on their favorite hobby, sports team, family, the country they come from, favorite food, favorite lockdown activity, etc. Find ways to start each day with positive energy and a sense of community. To keep our employees motivated, we are encouraging and hosting virtual social time. 2022 Todos os direitos reservados. To help your employees stay active and get a break from working inside, suggest that they take conference calls that don't require sitting in front of a screen outdoors. You can celebrate the spirit of a challenge in your Spirit Week by hosting a Versus Day. For employees, having access to a mentor can add velocity to the workplace learning curve. 2. Simply schedule a Zoom meeting and ask attendees to join from an outdoor spot such as backyards, parks, or beaches. I also hired a local small business to make some custom iced cookies for us. Yet now is a time when communication actually needs to be ramped up. The employee experience is better, and the company's outcome stronger. Were hearing from some people that while its not for everyone, having three hours on a Friday afternoon to do something fun together is really appreciated so were providing it for those who like/need it. If you developed team norms to stay on top of (as above), then ensure you check-in on them. Everyone had a week to practice and record their talents before we all watched them together during a special All Hands meeting. With these 33 employee appreciation ideas, you will see reduced turnover and retain your top talents. With more than 30 million people filing for unemployment in the past six weeks, the U.S. is predicted to experience a coronavirus-induced recession through 2021. Revamp your break room. Were working with local restaurants (some minority-owned) to provide cold reheatable family meals that our employees will take home to enjoy with their family. This is a time to focus only on the people sitting before you. Open windows, increase circulation, and keep room density as low as possible with fewer people in one space. Thus in this scenario, investing in an effective recognition program becomes a critical part of employee engagement. Distance does not have to put a damper on the fun. Children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years need at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity daily. The best way to decorate virtual offices is by using virtual meeting backgrounds. But we must also address the negative impact of isolation loneliness, fatigue or even . For example, theme days, virtual talent shows, and costume contests. Be Intentional About Communications It's crucial that leaders don't get sucked into the. For example, Marvel versus DC Comics, the '60s versus the '70s, or Batman and the Joker. Plus, the posts are a great way to advertise your companys culture to a wider audience. Toilet paper and Netflix memes are very popular right now. From theme days to care packages to costume contests, here is a list of fun ways to celebrate spirit weeks in remote offices. This time has been invaluable to the team as they had been feeling scattered, stressed, and disconnected. And of course folks could also just log off if they wanted to, with no pressure to spend the rest of the day working. Spirit week shakes up the normal routine and gives dispersed teammates a chance to get together and have fun. We, humans, are emotional creatures. Players square off in trivia challenges, lightning scavenger hunts, and a listening/drawing game called Can You Hear Me Now? A charismatic host keeps score while keeping teams energy and spirits high. When Kirkman first had the idea, she posted about it in her social club Facebook group and on her Instagram story, in case a few close friends wanted to join. Also, they give continuous optimal performance. Give your entire team a chance to express their creativity with baby pumpkins, acrylic paints, and free pumpkin stencils. So, whether you're paired up or have something in the works, here are 20 ideas to safely celebrate Valentine's Day during coronavirus. Reward employees with a token or gift of appreciation from your side. Gift ideas ranged, but included orchids, stay-at-home picnic baskets, family dinners, bookstore gift cards, and fancy coffee! - Nicole Canulla, Head of Marketing & Communications at DUST Identity, What I've found very engaging and will definitely continue to use even after we're no longer remote is Donut. The intensive schedule prevents routine responsibilities from interrupting the fun, and permits employees to focus on recharging and team bonding. But heres the thing. This is a great way to begin your team meetings. But follow the 33 employee appreciation ideas articulated in this article. The best thing about birthdays is cake. There is no discussion in this exercise, it is simply a way for team members to connect with how others are feeling in the moment. But providing a good employee experience is the future. Simple ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in your workplace 2. We all know that employees are the most valuable asset for a business. The disease is extremely contagious, yet many infected people are asymptomatic, and patterns of transmission are not always clear. Food has a way of being a catalyst to bring people together. A UK study finds workers job attitudes can be bolstered by allowing them to personalize their office. Company-branded swag can be simple everyday things like t-shirts, mugs, or even pen drives. For three hours per week, staff can sign off anytime during the workday for rest and wellbeing, no questions asked. Sending care packages to your remote teams builds buzz for the event and lets your employees know you care about them. All This Talk About Quiet Quitting Is Absurd. Also, of the cocktails on offer, there were a few non-alcoholic punch ideas, for people who dont drink or who wanted to share with a kid, etc. Aside from regular appreciation, you can ensure that your employees feel valued on important occasions, such as by sending Thanksgiving messages to employees. Not just practical job skills, but behavioral and cultural skills as well. Plus, you can capture a screenshot of the whole crew dressed up. Kicking their feet up on the couch and zoning out in front of the TV could be just what the essential workers in your life need after dealing with the public . Jamaica The flipside to this is without the proper career advancement at the right time, employees will slowly grow disengaged and might look for new opportunities elsewhere. Recommended Article: Gift Cards Make For The Perfect Employee Rewards. You can arrange for office taxis or subsidized bus fares so that commute becomes a tad bit easier on their pockets. Invite team members to share any perspectives they have about other teams and stakeholders and their needs, concerns issues that the team should be aware of. The Ultimate Guide to Employee Rewards and Recognition. Clarify expectations, for example, of performance, workflow or performance management. Since healthier employees are more productive, happy, and energetic, the company will benefit from this form of appreciation. First, either mail employees tea and fancy snacks, or ask attendees to bring their own refreshments and reimburse them for the expense. Do it privately-ish. Clear your schedule for at least an hour. During the call, participants can chat and play fun games, or co-work while enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. By planning an online retreat for spirit week, you block out employees time and free staff to enjoy the festivities. Make sure you exchange emails with a volunteer coordinator or call before you . With higher motivation comes better engagement, happiness, and ultimately retention. Why not see which team has the most steps or ran the furthest distance this week? Teammates can select a different background for each meeting or theme day, and can even swap backgrounds multiple times per call. The Very Worst Kind of Bad Boss Just Wont Go Away. Dress-up days are one of the main events during spirit days at schools and offices. Gathering via video call and online communication platforms gives groups a chance to relax, re-energize, and reconnect with teammates. Superhero Academy is a perfect fit for a hero or villain themed online spirit day. Starting a business during COVID-19 may seem impossible, but these 15 types of businesses can help you launch a business and even help others during the pandemic. Then, plan festive activities to enjoy together during the call. On beach day, participants post virtual backgrounds of tropical locations and sip mock mai tais. Our division is doing a holiday drive-in movie and renting out a drive-in theater for the evening. In this case they will contribute to providing some structure in an unstructured team situation. Appreciation from one's peers has more significance than from one's manager. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about virtual spirit weeks. Online workouts serve the dual purpose of adding exercise and peer-to-peer interaction into remote workers sedentary, solitary workdays. If you can get outside to walk, studies have shown that a brisk walk can make you feel . California-based Chowbotics, has seen an uptick in demand for its fresh food robot "Sally.". Wed all ooooh and ahhh, and laugh. One of the simplest and most popular solutions has been virtual happy hours. The effectiveness of office snacks is that major companies like Google use them as a perk to attract the top employees. Every company has got one of these employees. Usually at this time of year, my inbox fills up with questions about company holiday parties: How many drinks are OK to have there? One employee's commute could be inexpensive, while for another, it could be prohibitive. Harvard Business Review reports that "the most impactful driver of employee engagement is recognition.". Show your employees some love by making sure that the snacks provided are healthy and nutritious. Get Competitive. Communication in remote teams, whether casual chats or work related discussions, cant easily happen as spontaneously as it does when people are sitting next to each other at work. Online Office Games is a friendly competition for remote teammates. From digital marketing to online delivery services, there are several needs that the pandemic has sparked among consumers. Virtual workout or meditation classes. Spirit weeks build ties with community Over the course of this week, schools will ask students and staff to do activities such as share TikTok videos, do workouts and share pictures wearing. Have office happy hours and hire a bartender to mix them a drink or two. As we are a small team, we used to track this daily on a whiteboard in the office, but now we just check in each morning to see what each team member is planning to do that day. - Napala Pratini, Co-Founder at Habitual, We started including crosswords with internal jokes and references in our internal weekly newsletter. About how his/her contributions have aided to a projects successful completion. Recommended Article: 25 Employee Engagement Activities To Reinvent Your Workforce. With trick-or-treating officially considered a high-risk activity, you may be scrambling to find something for your little goblins to do on the 31st. Convey these "thank you" either in a heartful card, on social media, with the help of appreciation letters or (better yet) through a friendly handshake. Employees thrive at work when they know their contributions have meaning. I recently asked Ask a Manager readers to share how their teams are observing the holidays in lieu of in-person parties this year, and it turns out companies have gotten really creative. These morning check-ins, no matter how short are invaluable for maintaining a sense of community, checking in on how team members are doing, and to stay focused on key priorities so that momentum and performance is maintained. First, create a Slack channel for the games. Weve had a few teams compete in virtual relays, races, or step challenges using free apps to log steps, distance ran/cycled, etc. Want to enhance employee morale while improving productivity and boosting creativity? We also had a gift wrapping contest as part of itwe were a creative bunch with lots of backgrounds in the arts, so some gifts were a person making a donation to a charity in the recipients honor, but making a video that fit their interest to share that with them, or a homemade puzzle, or other similar fun announcements. A lot. Dress-up days find a niche at busy offices; employees can show up in costume but still get tons of work done. Check the COVID-19 page on your city or county website to find out if you can sign up to offer your time this way. Lifestyle contests that encourage employees to exercise or try a new activity can also help boost morale. While personalizing spaces at work to fit the geographic locale or the personal tastes of employees has become common. Most employees love to learn, and taking a virtual class together is a terrific spirit week idea. Bring in a songwriter, band, or comedian to perform at your workplace. The Town of Wake Forest and the Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department want you to stay safe during the current COVID-19 pandemic by honoring Wake County's stay at home order. A few more things that made it special: The best part about it was everyone participating posting a small list of likes and dislikeswe all got to know each other better through reading those lists and connect over shared interest. Online board games or trivia challenges are a great way to bring a team together for something besides work. First, choose a date and send a video meeting link to your colleagues. Theres nothing quite like desserts and ice cream to alleviate stress. Even after COVID-19, hand sanitizers are a welcomed gift, no matter your customer base or your business. Your employees are amazing people with undisclosed talents. Many of us now look forward to Mondays because of these hilarious crosswords! Spirit week is a week-long event that promotes company pride and employee engagement through fun activities. This is a stressful time to say the least. It is a good idea to vary the class types and levels so that more team members can participate. I'm really hoping we won't have to consider this in future years, but a lot of planning time went into making sure that we minimized our COVID risk during the trip. But there is one occasion that should be praised with the same level of spirit and vigor as the restthe work anniversary. With most schools and districts shut down for the foreseeable future, many faculty and teachers are struggling to find ways to connect with their students. Help make kindness the norm at school, home and work by using the links below! Find out how to shape a culture that attracts, engages, Interesting work matter only if you have good food while youre doing it. But some employers have devised celebrations that will keep people safe and actually sound fun (even to this curmudgeon). Getting your own parking space is a highly coveted idea to really recognize your employees for doing a great job. Angela has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and worked as a community manager with Yelp to plan events for businesses. It definitely is the easiest and quickest Zoom icebreaker out there. We gathered the top employee morale tips, tricks, and ideas from businesses around the world. -Bob Nelson, In the United States, 20,000 workers were surveyed by the Boston Consulting Group. To host an online award show, first create award categories. Not to fear: There are plenty of Halloween-inspired crafts to go around. Regardless of your age, some physical activity is better than none. 33 Amazing Employee Appreciation Ideas [2023 Update], The Ultimate Guide To Employee Rewards and Recognition, 50 Best Words of Appreciation for Employees, Gift Cards Make For The Perfect Employee Rewards, Indias Largest Telecom Company Boosts their Global Employee Engagement with Vantage Rewards, 25 Employee Engagement Activities To Reinvent Your Workforce, 25 Employee Recognition Statistics You Shouldn't Ignore, Top 102 Employee Recognition Quotes To Celebrate Their Endeavours, 23 Awesome Ways To Make Every Employee Work Anniversary Memorable, All You Need To Know About Sales Incentive Programs In 2023, 10 Intrinsic Rewards That Your Employees Look Forward To, Empower the Workforce With A Culture of Peer-to-Peer Recognition. When you think about having a great company culture, you think about building trust, honesty, and a great team of workers. 29. Half of the box contained things like hand sanitizer, gloves, masks, and other health-related products to help us stay safe. Priorities. You might feel anxious about: Your own safety and the safety of others. Why not see which team has the most steps or ran the furthest distance this week? An extra day off can mean a whole lot of possibilities to overworked and overstressed employees. Or take a field trip to the local entertainment venue. Ensure that everyone gets that attention. School spirit week is a fun time for everyone to come together and show off their pride. 2022 Alle rechten voorbehouden. For more tournament ideas, check out our list of Slack games. Be thoughtful with your messages of appreciation. Learn how to set new boundaries, ask for support, and re-strategize with your partner about what you need. Participants can either perform alone, or collaborate with colleagues on a group act. Keeping a workplace safe during the COVID-19 pandemic can be challenging. My Boss Loves Planning an Elaborate Holiday Extravaganza. 1. Believe it or not, such small stuff really sees a positively impacted company culture. This activity involves solving puzzles and finding clues to "escape" a themed room. Everybody got to sign up for whichever they liked best: Online beer tasting (they ship the beer to your house, and then you taste it on Zoom with an expert telling you what youre tasting). The second event is a winter wreath demo where again supplies are sent to peoples houses and you can follow along with the demo and put a non-denominational winter wreath together. You could even hold contests to name and reward the best virtual backgrounds for each meeting. To establish team norms, ask: What behaviors and practices are most important right now to our teams effectiveness?. The purpose of online spirit weeks is to boost employee engagement and morale. You could even include dessert decorating packs, tasting assortments, or craft kits. It is a small token of appreciation, but our employees have expressed that they really appreciate the recognition. - Darryl Smith, Founding Partner at Florida Car Accident Lawyer Team, Because of the coronavirus, Kickstand recently implemented more flexible work schedules, including a few mental health hours per week to encourage employees to step away from their computers and recharge during the workday. Then, encourage teammates to square off. Virtual Breakout Rooms are ideal for teams that need to brush up on their collaboration, problem-solving, and creative thinking skills. Vantage Circle. One-Word Check-ins. If the show is a competition, then at the end of the performance have the audience vote for a winner via poll, or send a panel of judges into a breakout room to deliberate. Some "lush" couches. Remote teammates work together to crack clues and conquer brain teasers before time runs out. Trivia leaders can create questions and teams can decide on their favorite themes or trivia topics. Dessert buffets are fun and positively addicting. Promoting health is no longer seen as an initiative that yields 'soft' results. An escape room Escape room activities are available virtually and in person. Be sure to grab plenty of screen shots throughout the afternoon or evening. After the bartender presentation (which was short) everybody got to chat and enjoy their drinks for some time before saying goodbye. And amid stay-at-home orders. When employees feel that their work is valued, their satisfaction and productivity rise. Not my cup of tea but a lot of people seemed to like it! To play a murder mystery online, first find a game or script, and then invite teammates to a Zoom meeting to play out the scenario. Without a doubt, getting a specially curated box of snacks will make employees feel happy and contented. Following recommendations from the CDC, we've put together some helpful guide to navigating Christmas during Covid this year. This is a great way to begin your team meetings. The Coronavirus Crisis 9 Ways Schools Will Look Different When (And If) They Reopen 1. Whether they worked late to get the job done, blew past their sales goal, or volunteering at a local shelter, give employees the credit they deserve. Heightened communication is necessary, not only to keep your remote team productively focused, but because the sudden move from the workplace to a home space can take an emotional toll on people when they no longer have the social contact with work friends and colleagues. Trivia can be a good way to help teams relax, inspire conversation and build relationships. Consider sending your top ten performers off for a day or two at a spa to provide an incentive for continued outstanding performance. We had a Zoom meeting were a bartender showed how to mix each drink using the provided measuring cup, and answered questions about how to make a good martini, what to substitute for white eggs in pisco sour, etc. It could be a magazine subscription (on a topic they would be interested in), treats for pets, snack samples, or anything they would enjoy. Some teams are secretly supervillains who try to sabotage other teams, and players must also identify these sinister alter-egos to ensure evil does not prevail. Some are great artists, while some spend their time doing charity work. Encourage healthy work-life balance by modeling healthy boundaries around time spent working and time off. Here are three ways employers can reduce panic and keep employee morale up during the coronavirus outbreak. Simply gear each days activities around a particular topic. This prevents you from working to the point of hunger and then scrambling to decide what to eat. Add some seriously "tricked out" kitchens on each floor of their facilities. Wed have the holiday party on Zoom, where folks would open what they had received from their gift giver.