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. With higher motivation comes better engagement, happiness, and ultimately retention. Every company has its own perks: fully stocked kitchens, corporate team events, and the latest MacBook Pro. Another good team-building activity is a virtual workshop or workout class. It was a lot of fun! - Stephen J. Kontos, Founder & CEO at PatentXP PLLC, We keep employee morale high by sending out thank you notes to our employees currently working from home. There are many fun online activities that suit an international or travel-themed spirit week or spirit day. For example, build breaks into your work schedule, remind team members to take breaks, and don't do work tasks while off work.7,8,9,10,11,12,13 Model problem solving from a variety of viewpoints. Wool socks, very plushy fleece blankets, playing cards, mugs, etc. COVID-19 is expected to last for many months, with a potential resurgence in the fall. In this case they will contribute to providing some structure in an unstructured team situation. What Readers Want During COVID-19: Content Ideas for Every Niche. Click here to find out how. That can be too intimidating for your employees. These small everyday gestures can come off as a pleasant surprise and make employees feel valued. Coffee and Chocolate Tastings It doesn't have to be cocktail focused. Next, check our our list of ideas to celebrate Pride at work, online fun Friday ideas, and intern orientation activities. Often, in the case of. We also had a really strict limit for spending, like $20. Vantage Circle. 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. Student Engagement: Spirit Weeks A number of schools and school districts have done weekly challenges where students participate in a themed activity, take a picture or video of it, and then upload and tag it with a specific hashtag so that the community can find, enjoy, and celebrate it with them. Throughout the evening or afternoon, read awards off one by one, and give each winner 30 seconds to give a victory speech. You can also offer a myriad of health benefits. So, it's essential to consider this less of an idea and more of a thing that you have to do eventually. Here is our take on enhancing employee motivation with the below 33 exceptional employee appreciation ideas. Look at yourself in the mirror. Thus, make it easier for team members to congratulate each other on a job well done. They are tasty, convenient, and great for hunger pangs that strike while working. Also, it doesnt have to be expensive. Feel free to customize it with your companys logos. 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. This activity involves solving puzzles and finding clues to "escape" a themed room. For employees, having access to a mentor can add velocity to the workplace learning curve. After the bartender presentation (which was short) everybody got to chat and enjoy their drinks for some time before saying goodbye. Dress-up days are one of the main events during spirit days at schools and offices. Employee appreciation is the cornerstone of developing a robust and meaningful workplace culture. It offers employees a brief respite from their daily work. Remote teams often work on staggered schedules, meaning that the whole crew may not be available at game time. But heres the thing. Recognizing hard work and achievement in the workplace increase employee morale, encourage healthy competition, and creates a positive atmosphere. The effectiveness of office snacks is that major companies like Google use them as a perk to attract the top employees. 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. Ensure time is spent checking in on the teams main priorities - any urgent issues that need to be addressed? Teammates can vote using the poll feature in your video meeting platform, and you can send the winner a prize. 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. 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. 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. You could even give teammates a prompt per day, like show us your fridge, or share your favorite spot in the house. This activity helps remote teammates learn more about each other, and may reveal shared interests and common ground. Participate in the Boost Educators Challenge Encourage each student's family to challenge the rest of your school's families to give their teacher (s) a shout out or thank you over the school's social channels. Participants can either perform alone, or collaborate with colleagues on a group act. Simply gear each day's activities around a particular topic. and retains your top employees. Walking not only counts as physical activity, but also provides some mental health benefits. 29. List of virtual spirit week ideas. See: How Indoor Ventilation Systems Can Help Prevent or Permit the Spread of COVID-19 . -Bob Nelson, In the United States, 20,000 workers were surveyed by the Boston Consulting Group. Take a bubble bath (bonus: Add a glass of. Who doesnt love free food? For example, hold a Zoom ugly sweater contest, host a virtual Secret Santa or white elephant gift exchange, and sing Christmas carols. If your crew would rather perform just for fun, then end the show by giving participants a well-deserved round of virtual applause. For example, Marvel versus DC Comics, the '60s versus the '70s, or Batman and the Joker. Weve found that this is key to recreating that Friday feeling during lockdown. - Nushy Rose, Managing Editor at Parlia. A client of mine, whose team of 15 people are now all working from home, established daily 30-minute morning team check-ins to stay connected and on top of the priorities of the team, which have shifted given COVID-19. Barasha can be found either searching for interesting HR buzzwords to write about or looking at pictures of cozy Bel Air mansions. Add some seriously "tricked out" kitchens on each floor of their facilities. 4 Ways A Single Word Has The Power To Positively Change Your Perspective, 8 Ways To Create Certainty Amid Current Workplace Uncertainty, Why Accountability Is At The Core Of Stewardship Delegation, 5 Ways To Grow Your Personal Brand As A Content Creator, Why We Need To Make Every Day Employee Appreciation Day, In A Competitive Job Market, Heres How To Win The Interview, 5 Tips To Recession-Proof Your Career And Bullet-Proof Your Security. Some are great artists, while some spend their time doing charity work. Ask each person to share one word to describe how they are feeling in. Once the votes are in, book the top ranking classes. The best way to decorate virtual offices is by using virtual meeting backgrounds. Everyone had a week to practice and record their talents before we all watched them together during a special All Hands meeting. First, create a Slack channel for the games. I hope this article has in some small way helped your and your teams trek through this extraordinary time. A viral photo with suggestions for "Homeschool Spirit Week" has been circling social media. Then, plan festive activities to enjoy together during the call. They are great team members. We, humans, are emotional creatures. There are numerous free crossword creating apps, and all you need to do is share the linkso easy and so fun! - Mira Rakicevic, Co-founder at Comfy Living. These events typically occur through a series of video meetings, group chats, and collaborative online activities. Here come's the most impactful one in our list of employee appreciation ideas. Finally going on a picnic with their loved ones. But they are the last to leave. 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! Offering free meals and caffeine is actually a highly effective and cost-effective means of motivating and controlling young employees. While personalizing spaces at work to fit the geographic locale or the personal tastes of employees has become common. The sudden need to adapt to these changes during COVID has given rise to new challenges that range from work-life stress, disparities in employees' ability to work from home effectively, and the increased need for employers to support worker safety, health, and well-being both at work and outside the traditional work environment. The best online holiday parties encourage interaction. All online escape rooms inspire teamwork and critical thinking in a fun and exciting way. Typical activities include theme days, costume contests, and online parties. People are encouraged to bring family (which is not something we typically can do with these events) and I would have loved this even before the new normal. Im kind of bummed Im going to be missing out on this one actually. Real world elements make virtual exercises more engaging and interactive. (Source: Team Vantage Circle's Day Excursion). Plus, you can capture a screenshot of the whole crew dressed up. Clear your schedule for at least an hour. 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. For this event, ask team members to pick a side of a classic rivalry game and dress to match. Either way, ask participants to record results by posting them to the channel in a @WIN/@LOSS format. Have office happy hours and hire a bartender to mix them a drink or two. Now more than ever it is essential to dialogue and agree on what team members need and expect from one another and from their leader. Put up fun office anecdotes on the bulletin board. For three hours per week, staff can sign off anytime during the workday for rest and wellbeing, no questions asked. Also, remember to turn your phone off. In the largest ever genetic analysis of grapevine varieties, including samples from previously undocumented specimens in private collections, researchers provide new insights into how, when, and . However, Slack games offer more flexibility, as teammates can play on their own schedules. Revamp your break room. For example, new employees should receive a buddy to learn the ropes. It can be scheduled ahead of time or impromptu, just like you might invite a team member to grab a coffee with you while walking by their desk. From open enrollment to building a benefits package, we've got you covered. "We're encouraging employees to stay active by challenging their coworkers. But follow the 33 employee appreciation ideas articulated in this article. By planning an online retreat for spirit week, you block out employees time and free staff to enjoy the festivities. Employee appreciation is meant to make the workplace feel a little bit like home. 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. Photo illustration by Slate. Credit: HMH Books for Young Readers. How to manage COVID-19 risks when organizing meetings and events 3. This amazing app pairs the blind and visually impaired with volunteers via a video call in order to assist with everyday tasks (think reading a recipe on the back of a box or selecting a . So, whether you're paired up or have something in the works, here are 20 ideas to safely celebrate Valentine's Day during coronavirus. Perhaps to no ones surprise, drinking seems to be quite popular this year, and some companies have figured out how to incorporate it into remote events. Paint Pumpkins. For some, it's Christmas and Valentine's Day; for others, it's a birthday. Trivia can be a good way to help teams relax, inspire conversation and build relationships. Wed have the holiday party on Zoom, where folks would open what they had received from their gift giver. 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. Talk about what you appreciate about that particular employee. We gathered the top employee morale tips, tricks, and ideas from businesses around the world. Get the latest news from Namely about HR, Payroll, and Benefits. Everything you need to build a better workplace. For instance, on sports day, staff can wear jerseys, square off in competitive games, and participate in an online pep rally. Show your employees some love by making sure that the snacks provided are healthy and nutritious. If you are looking to reward your employees with a little something extra. It's marketed as "COVID-19 style" since all schools across the state are currently shut down. Wellness Resources Mention about their desirable quirks like always being on time or such. Inject Fun and Humor. Adults need 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity activity such as brisk walking for health benefits. 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. For instance, plan a short gentle stretch, a high-intensity cardio routine, and a themed yoga class at different time slots throughout the day. by HR professionals across the globe! While employee appreciation may seem a bit heavy on the pockets, the bottom line is that it will lead to several long-term benefits. Online retreats are company gatherings that take place online. You could either ask team members to pre-record videos, give the tour live during a Zoom meeting, or upload photos to a shared album. One of the simplest and most popular solutions has been virtual happy hours. Celebrated on the first Friday in March, it pays homage to each employee's contribution to their company. During the COVID-19 crisis, you can do a lot more from your couch than you may realize. 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. 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. School spirit week is a fun time for everyone to come together and show off their pride. InDirect Report, she spotlights themes from her inbox that help explain the modern workplace and how we could be navigating it better. A dynamic host facilitates this 90 minute virtual team building event with a trusty virtual sidekick. Successful fundraising during a recession is two-pronged: Focus hard on donor engagement and retention, and It's not only a nice little project to focus on, but gives us something to talk about that's not work or coronavirus. 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. Beyond bestowing traditional awards like extraordinary performance, team player, or rookie of the year, you can also create fun award categories. Company retreats are fun, help team members bond while also providing the option of getting away from the stress of day-to-day work life. If you developed team norms to stay on top of (as above), then ensure you check-in on them. Before the . 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. Since healthier employees are more productive, happy, and energetic, the company will benefit from this form of appreciation. Hence, "Employee of the month" programs are a great way to show your best employees that you see their hard work and appreciate the efforts they are putting in. Talking about making employees feel valued, a great way to do so is by involving them in the decision-making process, wherever possible. Coronavirus has put a particular national spotlight on unmet needs of the growing older population in our country, and the tens of millions of overstretched family and professional caregivers they . Murder mysteries are games that require participants to play a character while solving a mystery. 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. It is easier than ever to show your appreciation from the monthly Netflix fix to news and magazines. Unique SWAG ideas have the power to set your company apart. Snacks are a fantastic food item that doesn't require you to get out of your desk when you want to eat something light. 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. If you have to be indoors, consider air flow. Some employees even showcased their talents liveranging from musical performances to cake baking to cat training. Letting employees decorate their workspaces plays an active role in building relationships within the company. You may experience anxiety during the coronavirus pandemic if you have to go into work. Today's employees seek recognition and rewards based on the career advancement that they want. Online Office Games is a friendly competition for remote teammates. To set the mood, encourage participants to put up virtual backgrounds of Victorian parlors or lush gardens. Online escape rooms are online versions of thematic puzzle-solving games. The best thing about birthdays is cake. Want to give someone the gift that keeps on giving? Recommended Article: 50 Best Words of Appreciation for Employees. The lobby at Googles Sydney office makes visitors feel like theyre about to embark on a safari expedition rather than drown in a concrete jungle. The tours could happen on a single day, or throughout the week. When employees feel that their work is valued, their satisfaction and productivity rise. 4. To set the mood, you can encourage attendees to dress up and don fancy virtual backgrounds. A crisis like this can either break ateamdown and widen any cracks in its foundation, or it canresult in the emergence of true greatness. Believe it or not, such small stuff really sees a positively impacted company culture. Are they excited to be working for you? Companies with a corporate health plan are more likely to see more engaged employees. Celebrated on the first Friday in March, it pays homage to each employee's contribution to their company. From theme days to care packages to costume contests, here is a list of fun ways to celebrate spirit weeks in remote offices. This will allow team members to truly appreciate each other, leading to better team building. 2022 Todos los derechos reservados. PopCap, the company behind legendary Facebook games like Bejeweled, offers some fantastic break rooms for its 400 odd employees. But with 29% of Americans reporting that they never drink alcohol, it is time for businesses to think of more inclusive activities. This is a great way to begin your team meetings. Their office is infused with fun, including random Razor scooters available to any staff who think better while in motion. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Recommended Article: The Ultimate Guide To Employee Rewards and Recognition. The cost of commuting is heavily influenced by the location of the workplace relative to where the employee lives. It becomes less of a break and more of a disappointment. December is the most obvious time to throw a virtual holiday party. It is working together that will get us through this time. I think that well continue doing this even after the pandemic is goneits such a cool way to learn more about the people you work with every day. - Dennis Vu, CEO and Co-founder of Ringblaze, We hired a magician to put on a virtual magic show for our staff, clients, and vendors to watch with their families. No, not the executive lunchroom. 1. Reading a book on the sofa is a cozy way to get in the Christmas spirit. Vantage Circle. To keep our employees motivated, we are encouraging and hosting virtual social time. One employee's commute could be inexpensive, while for another, it could be prohibitive. Research says that the primary cause of employees leaving their jobs is the lack of appreciation. Get Chinese food somewhere. Theyve asked us what charities wed recommend. Reward employees with a token or gift of appreciation from your side. Make Sure You're COVID Safe. Some leaders consistently interact with those they most easily connect with but may not as readily think of others. Keep Little Hands Busy. The purpose of online spirit weeks is to boost employee engagement and morale. This will make them feel like a part of your business and not just a mere employee. In stock now. Vantage Circle. If you see someone going above and beyond and who commutes through their own vehicles, this will prove to be a wonderful opportunity to make their lives a little bit easier. Just beware of overdosing on sugar. Doesnt necessarily have to be alcohol or coffeeyou could do a juice tasting, or maybe a food tasting. A recent study published in Healthcare Design Magazine revealed that "an extreme break room makeover" at one health facility reduced staff "stress and fatigue.". Priorities. 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. Theres nothing quite like desserts and ice cream to alleviate stress. This is a time to focus only on the people sitting before you. Simmonds was blown away by . Few people are as knee-deep in our work-related anxieties and sticky office politics as Alison Green, who has been fielding workplace questions for a decade now on her website Ask a Manager. I write about how to improve team and leadership performance. 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. From year-end reporting to employee paystubs, check out these payroll tips and tricks. The events should also not take too long to do. The consulting group McKinsey & Co. surveyed 1,000 employers , and 90 percent reported that the pandemic was affecting the behavioral health of their employees. 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. You could either give employees the option of attending short 10-15 minute workouts throughout the day, or hold one or two longer sessions. Team Norms. You can even display this social media recognition on your offices digital displays to make sure the whole team sees it. Throwing a virtual holiday party is one of the best Christmas spirit week ideas for work. 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. The cups were all the same so no one could tell what you were drinking unless you commented on it. 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. When an employee above and beyond on a project at work or accomplishes a personal goal, give them a shoutout on social media to commend their hard work. Having direct access to a mentor gives junior professionals valuable one-on-one training. For more ideas, check out our roundup of team building workouts. But providing a good employee experience is the future. For example, book-binding, instrument-building, ravioli-making, or makeup lessons with a drag queen. An extra day off can mean a whole lot of possibilities to overworked and overstressed employees. Employees thrive at work when they know their contributions have meaning. The Coronavirus Crisis 9 Ways Schools Will Look Different When (And If) They Reopen 1. Full coverage and live updates on the Coronavirus, This is a BETA experience. Not to fear: There are plenty of Halloween-inspired crafts to go around. See how Namely's flexible solution will help you streamline your HR processes by having your people, payroll, and benefits info all in on place. The benefit of virtual dress up days is that employees can don elaborate costumes without worrying about travel, comfort, or attracting strange stares in Starbucks. Whats the Word on The Street? 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 . One is a gingerbread house session where theyll send you the kit, walk you through assembly, and then you can decorate with the provided candy and icing or your own. But some employers have devised celebrations that will keep people safe and actually sound fun (even to this curmudgeon). 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. #StayStrongWF Spirit Week April 6-10. 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. "Everyone meet promptly at 5:30 p.m., and line up your cars by the parking lot next to my house," instructed the texts sent out by Amanda Perez, staff member and University of Miami School of Communication graduate student, and her mother, Wendy Perez. Spirit week shakes up the normal routine and gives dispersed teammates a chance to get together and have fun. It might sound cliche, but small courtesies like a boss saying thank you to the team members can make a huge difference. Companies all over the world are making their operations remote for the first time to combat the spread of the coronavirus. You can arrange for office taxis or subsidized bus fares so that commute becomes a tad bit easier on their pockets. We have 30+ experiences to choose from, and thousands of five star reviews. 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. After all, who doesn't like a couple of free snacks? Food has a way of being a catalyst to bring people together. Jamaica Decatur, IL (62521) Today. To establish team norms, ask: What behaviors and practices are most important right now to our teams effectiveness?. One idea that keeps popping up on our Principal Life Facebook group is the concept of a virtual theme week. As we reflect on two months (or more) of mandated virtual work, HR and people teams around the world are looking back on their most successful morale-boosting activitiesand searching for new ideas to keep their teams happy, healthy, and engaged. Plentiful sunshine. The box also had a few ingredients, fresh produce, and a list of recipes you could make with everything. Spirit Week ideas for busy offices should include low-maintenance events that require minimal planning from event organizers and the participants. Employees respond to appreciation expressed by recognizing their good work because it confirms that their work is valued by others. This helps your employees feel appreciated on an ongoing basis. Halloween is the time of year when employees can showcase their creativity and interact with coworkers they may not normally work closely with. Our division is doing a holiday drive-in movie and renting out a drive-in theater for the evening. All in all, make the day about them, i.e., your employees. Things to consider when you and your employees travel 4. You can even snap a photo and create your own hashtag for when employees achieve something especially commendable. To begin with, publicly recognizing great employees reflects well on your company for customers, investors, and your team. Virtual spirit week ideas are ways to celebrate the occasion with remote teams.
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