These activities broaden employees global and cultural horizons while also delighting the teams travel lovers. Recognizing hard work and achievement in the workplace increase employee morale, encourage healthy competition, and creates a positive atmosphere. The Internet might be intermittent in these spots, so you can also give teammates the option of joining via phone audio instead of mobile video app. Also, it doesnt have to be expensive. and retains your top employees. Working remotely creates a new set of challenges that arebeing amplified by the added stress of school closures andby the anxiety many are facing during this pandemic. I didnt even stay until the end and used half the amount of tequila in my margarita because Im not used to drinking, but it was a lot of fun, we all learned something and had a good laugh. Coming together this way will help bring your employees closer to you and boost the employee-employer relationship. For more tournament ideas, check out our list of Slack games. Getting your workplace ready in case COVID-19 arrives in your community. For three hours per week, staff can sign off anytime during the workday for rest and wellbeing, no questions asked. A viral photo with suggestions for "Homeschool Spirit Week" has been circling social media. For some, it's Christmas and Valentine's Day; for others, it's a birthday. Once the awards end, you can email digital certificates and e-gift cards to recipients, or mail trophies and paper awards to their houses. To host an online award show, first create award categories. This activity involves solving puzzles and finding clues to "escape" a themed room. Now more than ever, we need to lean on each other for support. This activity won't cause too much distraction or mess. Discuss and ask specific questions about work related items such as what they are working on, what they have accomplished in x amount of time, whether they have any challenges and if so how you can help. Breakout Rooms! Go for a walk. When you think about having a great company culture, you think about building trust, honesty, and a great team of workers. Simply schedule a Zoom meeting and ask attendees to join from an outdoor spot such as backyards, parks, or beaches. Some leaders consistently interact with those they most easily connect with but may not as readily think of others. Everything is impacted by COVID-19 in some way, including our work. Company retreats are great for celebrating employees after successful project completion or after an outstanding financial year. Offering extra time off pretty much never goes amiss, especially at this time of year: In lieu of bonuses and parties and all sorts of things, my employer is just closing for the week in between Christmas and New Years and giving everyone the time offits been a hit, because thats usually a huge use of vacation days for folks. These events are the online equivalent of spirit week, and are examples of virtual employee engagement activities and virtual team celebrations, and often take place on virtual event platforms. This time has been invaluable to the team as they had been feeling scattered, stressed, and disconnected. This helps us all get out of our heads to have a little fun during the workday. - Sam Williamson, co-owner of CBDiablo, Were encouraging employees to stay active by challenging their coworkers. Being a boss, every positive word from you will act as a huge morale booster for your employees. While Valentine's Day will most likely look different than years past, you can still have fun with your significant other and make it memorable and safe. They take place using video call software, online communication platforms, and occasionally social media. Successful fundraising during a recession is two-pronged: Focus hard on donor engagement and retention, and Spirit week shakes up the normal routine and gives dispersed teammates a chance to get together and have fun. Consider sending your top ten performers off for a day or two at a spa to provide an incentive for continued outstanding performance. From theme days to care packages to costume contests, here is a list of fun ways to celebrate spirit weeks in remote offices. The effectiveness of office snacks is that major companies like Google use them as a perk to attract the top employees. But when you thank them for their efforts, it can be a heart-melting moment to inspire respect for you and the business. But there is one occasion that should be praised with the same level of spirit and vigor as the restthe work anniversary. Research says that the primary cause of employees leaving their jobs is the lack of appreciation. If your crew would rather perform just for fun, then end the show by giving participants a well-deserved round of virtual applause. These small everyday gestures can come off as a pleasant surprise and make employees feel valued. Online board games or trivia challenges are a great way to bring a team together for something besides work. Find out how to shape a culture that attracts, engages, Next, check our our list of ideas to celebrate Pride at work, online fun Friday ideas, and intern orientation activities. 4. You can also make sure you take at least a 30-minute lunch break. Distance does not have to put a damper on the fun. Better still, if this praise comes in front of their team members, colleagues, and peers. Be thoughtful with your messages of appreciation. Clear your schedule for at least an hour. After face masks, custom hand sanitizers are the next health and safety giveaway idea on our list. Real world elements make virtual exercises more engaging and interactive. More than a manager, an employee's peers are more likely to know about their good qualities. Coffee and Chocolate Tastings It doesn't have to be cocktail focused. From year-end reporting to employee paystubs, check out these payroll tips and tricks. Superhero Academy is a perfect fit for a hero or villain themed online spirit day. First, choose a date and send a video meeting link to your colleagues. Sometimes, the utmost appreciation that an employee seeks is a promotion in his job role. PopCap, the company behind legendary Facebook games like Bejeweled, offers some fantastic break rooms for its 400 odd employees. Online retreats are company gatherings that take place online. Not to mention, Online Office Games is highly customizable, so the activities can revolve around the spirit week theme of the day at your request. 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. She had such a creative way for putting a holiday spin on our corporate branding, and theyre going to be a big hit! From theme days to care packages to costume contests, here is a list of fun ways to celebrate spirit weeks in remote offices. For the main event, meet up on a video call to sip tea, chat, and play games. Lifestyle contests that encourage employees to exercise or try a new activity can also help boost morale. The events should also not take too long to do. Be sure to grab plenty of screen shots throughout the afternoon or evening. Coffee or tea tastings work as well: We had a virtual coffee tasting where they sent those who RSVP'd a free AeroPress and. It's run by a different division each week to encourage everyone to get involved and has been a fun way to spend a few hoursand a welcome distraction. - Anna Barker, Founder at LogicalDollar, I arranged a remote talent show for our team. For instance, plan a short gentle stretch, a high-intensity cardio routine, and a themed yoga class at different time slots throughout the day. All rights reserved. Thus, make it easier for team members to congratulate each other on a job well done. Spirit week attendees can either make their own backgrounds using Canva or Photoshop, or can download one from online. Companies all over the world are making their operations remote for the first time to combat the spread of the coronavirus. It's not only a nice little project to focus on, but gives us something to talk about that's not work or coronavirus. The purpose of online spirit weeks is to boost employee engagement and morale. Believe it or not, such small stuff really sees a positively impacted company culture. All online escape rooms inspire teamwork and critical thinking in a fun and exciting way. Moreover, you can drop an appreciation mail to the employees so that it stays with them forever. Team costumes Whether you're a team of two or twenty, you can dress up in team costumes for Halloween. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Have regular check ins with individual team members. But some employers have devised celebrations that will keep people safe and actually sound fun (even to this curmudgeon). Then, encourage teammates to square off. Happily, Ive heard lots of versions of this choice as well: My company is taking the money that would be used for the holiday party (usually a sit-down dinner with open bar) and is donating it instead to a local charity. 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. If theyd just put an extra $100 in my paycheck and said we cant have a party this year so get yourself a nice treat, Id have appreciated that too. And of course folks could also just log off if they wanted to, with no pressure to spend the rest of the day working. Murder mysteries are games that require participants to play a character while solving a mystery. Regardless of your age, some physical activity is better than none. Recommended Article: 25 Employee Engagement Activities To Reinvent Your Workforce. Explore the challenges people face in working from home (and they will differ) and ideas for dealing with them or sharing personal practices that work. The packages were delivered to our doors in the afternoon of our event. Coffee or tea tastings work as well: We had a virtual coffee tasting where they sent those who RSVPd a free AeroPress and some coffees and had a coffee expert walk them through the different kinds over Zoom. And amid stay-at-home orders. Plus, you can capture a screenshot of the whole crew dressed up. Plus, we decided there will be a prize for the tallest sunflower, so it's turning into quite the competition. - Rose Jinks, Digital PR Specialist at Online Mortgage Advisor, As a way to boost morale and encourage teamwork while were apart, my company has been hosting virtual trivia nights every week. Here are a few examples. 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. Employees should be free to decide where they want to work and when they want to work whenever possible. It was a huge hit, and we're already scheduled another! - Ryan Law, Content Strategist at Animalz, We sent care packages to our employees homes to help them adjust to remote work. Ive gotten a lot of reports of teams doing remote crafting sessions togetheroften around seasonal themes, like gingerbread houses: Our office is planning two optional events. Guests can dress up too. "We're encouraging employees to stay active by challenging their coworkers. When employees feel that their work is valued, their satisfaction and productivity rise. Gather the kids and create Paper Mice, Halloween skull jewelry, and more. Some employees even showcased their talents liveranging from musical performances to cake baking to cat training. Learn more about virtual costume contests. Snacks are a fantastic food item that doesn't require you to get out of your desk when you want to eat something light. Credit: HMH Books for Young Readers. Plus, you could throw virtual parties for any holiday. Its a really cool way to connect with your coworkers and find out more about their life outside of work. Inject Fun and Humor. Wool socks, very plushy fleece blankets, playing cards, mugs, etc. You might be worried about keeping yourself safe from coronavirus. Try a subscription box. An escape room Escape room activities are available virtually and in person. Not to mention that birthday parties are an opportunity to appreciate peers. At checkout the price was zero and you couldnt even enter a tip. For more ideas, check out our roundup of team building workouts. 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. Contains 5 ml. Online Office Games is a friendly competition for remote teammates. The best online holiday parties encourage interaction. Here are instructions on changing virtual backgrounds in Zoom, GoogleMeet, and Microsoft Teams. With these 33 employee appreciation ideas, you will see reduced turnover and retain your top talents. But with 29% of Americans reporting that they never drink alcohol, it is time for businesses to think of more inclusive activities. To truly show your employees that they are doing a great job, bring in some fun office traditions like "Taco Tuesday.". I am going to go out on a limb here to say to you something vital. Superhero Academy is equal parts fun, intellectual, and competitive. 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. Aside from regular appreciation, you can ensure that your employees feel valued on important occasions, such as by sending Thanksgiving messages to employees. Keep employees engaged and excited with some friendly competition. Sending care packages to your remote teams builds buzz for the event and lets your employees know you care about them. Although workplace benefits help keep employees happy, they rarely tend to spark inspiration. Gathering via video call and online communication platforms gives groups a chance to relax, re-energize, and reconnect with teammates. While employee appreciation may seem a bit heavy on the pockets, the bottom line is that it will lead to several long-term benefits. For example, theme days, virtual talent shows, and costume contests. We do a Champagne toast at our holiday party every year, and theres some rumors about mini bottles being shipped out for a Zoom toast, but Im not sure! As a leader, having the right mindset, structure and strategies to enhance communication and build team cohesion will help you ensure the latter is true for you and your team. Here are list of themes to use for online spirit weeks. Full coverage and live updates on the Coronavirus, This is a BETA experience. How to advocate for yourself at work during COVID-19. 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. The time can be used all at once or in increments. - Molly George, Partner and CEO of Kickstand Communications, We host Netflix parties where we pick something to watch and an app syncs our screens, letting us instant message each other. During the call, participants can chat and play fun games, or co-work while enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. But follow the 33 employee appreciation ideas articulated in this article. Or, you could start a gallery on social media or a cloud-based photo album, and invite teammates to vote on their favorite uploads throughout the week. Streaming service subscriptions. 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. But they are the last to leave. We, humans, are emotional creatures. How to manage COVID-19 risks when organizing meetings and events 3. We have these events called campfires that take place twice a week. This prevents you from working to the point of hunger and then scrambling to decide what to eat. Themed gift boxes are another popular idea: Were sending winter-y stay-at-home gift boxes. Offering a corporate wellness program within a vibrant culture of thriving well-being can significantly enhance that connection. The cost of commuting is heavily influenced by the location of the workplace relative to where the employee lives. 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). Simply gear each days activities around a particular topic. Team building content expert. While the other appreciation ideas might be feasible for particular projects and day-to-day work, employees will look for something more permanent in the long run. 29. 2022 Todos os direitos reservados. Its been close to two months since the World Health Organization declared the spread of the novel coronavirus an official pandemic. One of the best ideas for spirit care packages is to pack supplementary materials for the weeks activities. School spirit week is a fun time for everyone to come together and show off their pride. Check out our list ofonline escape rooms. We safeguard your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Another good team-building activity is a virtual workshop or workout class. 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. You can arrange for office taxis or subsidized bus fares so that commute becomes a tad bit easier on their pockets. We also included some essential office supplies to ensure our employees have everything they need to work remotely. - Stuart Cook, Marketing Manager at My Baggage, My company recently delivered a care package to all employees with a mix of fun and useful items. Dress-up days find a niche at busy offices; employees can show up in costume but still get tons of work done. Or you might feel concerned about the health of others, such as those who you care for or live with. Then, plan festive activities to enjoy together during the call. Walking not only counts as physical activity, but also provides some mental health benefits. You can even snap a photo and create your own hashtag for when employees achieve something especially commendable. Virtual spirit weeks are weeklong events that consist of a series of fun and interactive online activities. Doesnt necessarily have to be alcohol or coffeeyou could do a juice tasting, or maybe a food tasting. Its a way for us to provide food and a gathering without being on-site and in groups. But we must also address the negative impact of isolation loneliness, fatigue or even . Do it privately-ish. This is a time to focus only on the people sitting before you. You will see that a few words of appreciation can do wonders for the workplace. One such example that predates COVID-19 (if you follow our newsletter, you already know that it's a personal favorite of mine) is the Be My Eyes app. While personalizing spaces at work to fit the geographic locale or the personal tastes of employees has become common. I thought this was a great way for the company to show its appreciation for staff, and it provided us with plenty of new recipes to try out just in time for the weekend. - Adam Lumb, EN Site Manager at Cashcow, One of our perks is that we give employees up to an hour each day to do something positive for their physical or mental health, such as going on a walk, reading a book, taking an exercise class, or doing a meditation (no admin or work allowed!). Attempt a self portrait with pencil and paper. 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. Simply ask, how are we doing living up to our agreements?. The best way to decorate virtual offices is by using virtual meeting backgrounds. If you are looking to reward your employees with a little something extra. Encourage healthy work-life balance by modeling healthy boundaries around time spent working and time off. There is also the threat of a recession. A UK study finds workers job attitudes can be bolstered by allowing them to personalize their office. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your team is to enable them to let off some steam without the pressure to perform. SWAG stands for "stuff we all get." Many teams are waking up to a new reality of working remotely. Talking about making employees feel valued, a great way to do so is by involving them in the decision-making process, wherever possible. You might find that employee appreciation becomes a tad bit easier and a whole lot more fun. Team members can challenge each other voluntarily. Consider downloading a fitness app with curated workout playlists. Hear clients' stories and learn how they're building a better workplace with Namely. 2022 Todos los derechos reservados. The care packages were tailored for each individual, and they included self-care items such as cozy socks, chocolate, herbal tea, craft kits, puzzles, books, and board games. Engage in active family play time. Experiences, not cash, are the new corporate bonus. When the class arrives, learn together, and be sure to snap plenty of screenshots. Priorities. You get the best effort from others, not by lighting a fire beneath them but by building a fire within. Find ways to start each day with positive energy and a sense of community. 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. The thing that giants like Google and Airbnb have understood is that the physical environment of the office matters. COVID-19 is expected to last for many months, with a potential resurgence in the fall. Whats Really So Wrong About Secretly Working Two Full-Time Jobs at Once? Get the latest news from Namely about HR, payroll, and benefits. Who doesnt love free food? Remote teammates can enjoy a show while learning more about coworkers special skills and abilities. Not every office can shut down for a full week, but even just an afternoon off usually goes over well: Our end-of-year celebration is usually a big lunch and then we get the rest of the afternoon off. My Boss Loves Planning an Elaborate Holiday Extravaganza. Some are great artists, while some spend their time doing charity work. After all, who doesn't like a couple of free snacks? I sort of roll my eyes at these, but they did a pumpkin carving contest earlier in the fall and people got very very VERY into it, and someone offered to lead a how to make the perfect apple pie for Thanksgiving and the voluntary sign-up had over 500 people. Company-branded swag can be simple everyday things like t-shirts, mugs, or even pen drives. Here are some ideas that seem newly relevant given the constraints of 2020 and beyond. Slack game tournaments are great ideas for virtual spirit weeks. Pike13 Spirit Week highlights: This helps your employees feel appreciated on an ongoing basis. Celebrated on the first Friday in March, it pays homage to each employee's contribution to their company. Employee Appreciation Day is a semi-formal holiday in the United States. Online workouts serve the dual purpose of adding exercise and peer-to-peer interaction into remote workers sedentary, solitary workdays. Your objectives for the meeting will be to: Note: This is not a meeting to be rushed. It is especially meaningful when the appreciation comes from their bosses. 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. Its hard to replicate daily interactions with co-workers, casual encounters by the water cooler, or after-work drinks, but we are encouraging our employees to find time for virtual coffees, lunches, or even happy hours with their colleagues. - William Taylor, Career Development Manager at Velvetjobs, Something that has really helped us keep spirits up is our Slack 'meme' channel where we encourage everyone to post the best memes they find throughout the day. They are great team members. Photos by Getty Images Plus. 1. Interesting work matter only if you have good food while youre doing it. Part of the fun of spirit week is pretending, and murder mysteries cast participants in the roles of cunning detectives. If done in person, they provide a safer pandemic option because you share the room only with the people in your party. Why not see which team has the most steps or ran the furthest distance this week? The other half consisted of beer (or non-alcoholic drinks), snacks, tea, and homemade salsa. 31. Names were swapped, wish lists were made, and gifts from small businesses were delivered to friends and families! 2. Due to the physical demands and psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, it's been difficult for many of us to stay physically active. Why not expend the effort necessary to retain the staff that you have already painfully recruited and hired? This is a great way to begin your team meetings. You may experience anxiety during the coronavirus pandemic if you have to go into work. According to Harvard Business Review writer Anthony K. TJan: Company leadership should embrace, promote and value mentoring programs to realize a return on investment. 6. Put up fun office anecdotes on the bulletin board. To host a virtual talent show, invite teammates to sign up for slots. You can also use GeoGessr to play a destination-guessing game, or take virtual tours of museums, zoos, and parks together. So, it's essential to consider this less of an idea and more of a thing that you have to do eventually. So far, people have hosted presentations on their favorite hobby, sports team, family, the country they come from, favorite food, favorite lockdown activity, etc. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Legal. The cups were all the same so no one could tell what you were drinking unless you commented on it. Meetings and frequent check-ins both with the whole team and individual team members need to sit at the top of your to-do list. Why not see which team has the most steps or ran the furthest distance this week? Or, you can use an app like Donut to match up opponents, and pairs can play games instead of scheduling a video chat. Anxiety. These light-hearted contests can also easily be tied to raising money for charity. - Joe Wilson, Senior Career Advisor at MintResume, Our company gave us all sunflower seeds to care for and grow as we work from home. Ive found its a great way to know more about what a persons workday and life outside of work are like, as well as to better understand coworkers even those who work across the country. - Angela Ceresnie, CEO at Climb Credit.