Credit: HMH Books for Young Readers. 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. Research says that the primary cause of employees leaving their jobs is the lack of appreciation. Perhaps the best gift to give your employees is recognizing your employees publicly for a great job done. Another good team-building activity is a virtual workshop or workout class. Wishing you and your team health and tranquility. If your office normally does Secret Santa or Yankee Swap gift exchanges, you can keep it going this year too. They are tasty, convenient, and great for hunger pangs that strike while working. Basically, the idea is to boost morale by giving students a collective silly goal. For instance, take their opinion during decisions like on-boarding new technology or a specific project. 2022 Todos los derechos reservados. Barasha can be found either searching for interesting HR buzzwords to write about or looking at pictures of cozy Bel Air mansions. From year-end reporting to employee paystubs, check out these payroll tips and tricks. Or, if you hold virtual escape rooms or similar games, then include puzzles. Teammates can select a different background for each meeting or theme day, and can even swap backgrounds multiple times per call. Spirit week is a week-long event that promotes company pride and employee engagement through fun activities. Regardless of your age, some physical activity is better than none. These activities broaden employees global and cultural horizons while also delighting the teams travel lovers. You can also offer a myriad of health benefits. Coffee and Chocolate Tastings It doesn't have to be cocktail focused. All This Talk About Quiet Quitting Is Absurd. Even a small gesture like a "thank you" goes a long way to boost productivity, increase performance and improve morale among the workforce. They are the first to arrive. We, humans, are emotional creatures. Guests can dress up too. Trivia can be a good way to help teams relax, inspire conversation and build relationships. But when you thank them for their efforts, it can be a heart-melting moment to inspire respect for you and the business. You can even snap a photo and create your own hashtag for when employees achieve something especially commendable. 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. Some ideas include: Characters from a favorite movie 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. Plus, the posts are a great way to advertise your companys culture to a wider audience. Need more tips for how to keep your employees happy during COVID-19? Give a prize to the two team members who wear the most well-thought . A great employee appreciation idea that gives day-to-day benefits is providing assigned parking spaces. 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. 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. Unique SWAG ideas have the power to set your company apart. This year, the questions are quite different, and nearly all are some variation of What do we even do for the holidays in a pandemic? Many employers are simply canceling holiday celebrations, since theres no way to safely gather. Simply ask, how are we doing living up to our agreements?. The intensive schedule prevents routine responsibilities from interrupting the fun, and permits employees to focus on recharging and team bonding. 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. Spirit weeks are a time-honored tradition, in elementary, middle, and high schools alike. All online escape rooms inspire teamwork and critical thinking in a fun and exciting way. Mask up. Be Intentional About Communications It's crucial that leaders don't get sucked into the. You get the best effort from others, not by lighting a fire beneath them but by building a fire within. 7. Learn more: 25 Employee Recognition Statistics You Shouldn't Ignore. 2. Why not see which team has the most steps or ran the furthest distance this week? For example, Marvel versus DC Comics, the '60s versus the '70s, or Batman and the Joker. Spirit weeks often involve games. To make your company memorable in a sea of forgettable mugs. Help make kindness the norm at school, home and work by using the links below! Recommended Article: 25 Employee Engagement Activities To Reinvent Your Workforce. 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. 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. 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. Here is our take on enhancing employee motivation with the below 33 exceptional employee appreciation ideas. Theme Days. Heres some of what people reported. Sally can whip up a variety of cold meals, including salads, grain bowls and yogurt. 2022 Tous droits rservs. Some teachers may have to adapt courses from daily 45-minute periods to 90-minute blocks every other day; others will need to figure out how to plan small-group work so that it lines up with. This is one of the most underrated employee appreciation ideas out there. The Ultimate Guide to Employee Rewards and Recognition. Participants can either perform alone, or collaborate with colleagues on a group act. 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. Just beware of overdosing on sugar. Then, have one attendee lead the class, or screen share a video routine. This article is written by Barasha Medhi who is a part of the marketing team at Vantage Circle. When you incorporate social media into your online spirit week scheduling, you make it easier for colleagues to find and friend each other. Unorthodox corporate perks such as trips to hike near a volcano or dive with dolphins are an increasingly powerful way to attract, retain and motivate top talent. 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. Working from home can be challenging. Virtual talent shows work best when there is a predetermined act order and an emcee to manage the flow. Simply designate a theme for each day or meeting, then choose the best dressed for each category. Superhero Academy is equal parts fun, intellectual, and competitive. In advance we were all given a link to a store that sells cocktail making kits. 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. The cups were all the same so no one could tell what you were drinking unless you commented on it. The amount of pay is capped at $511 per day, and $5,110 in total, for employees who are sick or quarantined or who have symptoms. High 53F. Teammates could also give a short slideshow presentation of their home cities. This activity involves solving puzzles and finding clues to "escape" a themed room. Working from home can be lonely and mundane. Team building content expert. 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. Avoid the cafeteria as it can be very distracting. You can also make sure you take at least a 30-minute lunch break. Spirit week attendees can either make their own backgrounds using Canva or Photoshop, or can download one from online. 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. ). But with 29% of Americans reporting that they never drink alcohol, it is time for businesses to think of more inclusive activities. After the bartender presentation (which was short) everybody got to chat and enjoy their drinks for some time before saying goodbye. Interesting work matter only if you have good food while youre doing it. 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. The knowledge that there is a whole day dedicated to employee appreciation should let you know its significance. Virtual spirit weeks are weeklong events that consist of a series of fun and interactive online activities. I also personally feel that it's boosting my wellbeing and brightening my day. Dessert buffets are fun and positively addicting. Your team can decorate their jack-o'-lanterns during break, lunch, or while you hold a team meeting. We started this challenge at Booster. Employee Appreciation Day is a semi-formal holiday in the United States. It might sound cliche, but small courtesies like a boss saying thank you to the team members can make a huge difference. to Launch During a Pandemic. Invite team members to share concerns or issues that need to be addressed, and be sure time is also spent acknowledging what is working well and what team members are proud of. We've had a few teams compete in virtual relays, races, or step challenges using free apps to log steps, distance ran/cycled, etc. 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! Superhero Academy is a perfect fit for a hero or villain themed online spirit day. Just be sure to offer nonalcoholic options too: We had a celebration that even I (a person averse to holiday parties and Zoom calls) liked. Then, plan festive activities to enjoy together during the call. This is a time to focus only on the people sitting before you. It is especially meaningful when the appreciation comes from their bosses. 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. To host a virtual talent show, invite teammates to sign up for slots. For more ways to excite remote teams, check out our list of free virtual team building activities for work, this list of virtual offsite ideas, and this one with Zoom meeting ideas. The team that plays together bonds better. Here is an example of a graphic you could use for your games. 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. Look at yourself in the mirror. Subjects should be fun and non-work related. Pike13 Spirit Week highlights: If you can get outside to walk, studies have shown that a brisk walk can make you feel . For our workers who have never worked from home, social isolation is deeply felt. You signed up for your preferred one beforehand and received a list of ingredients, then once the drinks were made, people came back to the big room and there were a couple of facilitated games and stuff (like trivia). 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. We gathered the top employee morale tips, tricks, and ideas from businesses around the world. But some employers have devised celebrations that will keep people safe and actually sound fun (even to this curmudgeon). Spirit week shakes up the normal routine and gives dispersed teammates a chance to get together and have fun. This prevents you from working to the point of hunger and then scrambling to decide what to eat. 1. Not just practical job skills, but behavioral and cultural skills as well. Names were swapped, wish lists were made, and gifts from small businesses were delivered to friends and families! Were all pretty pumped about it. 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. 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. For instance, if you host a murder mystery, then include character cards in the boxes. Better still, if this praise comes in front of their team members, colleagues, and peers. There is also the threat of a recession. For inspiration, check out our lists of online cooking classes and online art classes. Online fundraising allows you to make a big impact even if your team is limited in members or budget. 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. 1. Call in a local food truck specializing in the cuisine and make it mandatory for people to take a break and eat a taco. In stock now. 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. For more ideas, check out our roundup of team building workouts. The events should also not take too long to do. 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. One of the best ideas for spirit care packages is to pack supplementary materials for the weeks activities. Jamaica Some good virtual spirit week ideas include virtual talent shows, Zoom spirit week backgrounds, online award shows, and theme days. First, give teammates a few options for online courses and ask them to vote for their favorite. It doesnt have to be cocktail focused. Offering them a handsome salary is one aspect. 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. A recent study published in Healthcare Design Magazine revealed that "an extreme break room makeover" at one health facility reduced staff "stress and fatigue.". 17 Ways to Boost Employee Morale During COVID-19 That Arent Happy Hours, celebrate employee milestones virtually here, general tricks for managing your remote workforce here. I am a big believer in team norms which support the team in self managing behaviors, practices and performance. and retains your top employees. You could even include dessert decorating packs, tasting assortments, or craft kits. Social Media is the biggest influencer of our generation. Get 5 morale boosting tips here, learn how to celebrate employee milestones virtually here, and get some more general tricks for managing your remote workforce here. Get the latest news from Namely about HR, Payroll, and Benefits. The week before your work at home spirit week, mail boxes full of goodies to team members. Their office is infused with fun, including random Razor scooters available to any staff who think better while in motion. Also, remember to turn your phone off. 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. These activities also make great spring spirit week ideas for work. To host these virtual workouts, have participants join a Zoom call. Wool socks, very plushy fleece blankets, playing cards, mugs, etc. How to be a good coworker and leader during this crisis. They had a selection that included non-alcoholic mixes too (like a ginger lemonade). We All Hate It. 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. 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 . 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. Remote teams can dress up for remote meetings, even if their outfits wont be on display all day. Photos by Getty Images Plus. When you think about having a great company culture, you think about building trust, honesty, and a great team of workers. E-Learning is the preferred modern way to upskill and learn while having the convenience of choosing the when and where. For this event, ask team members to pick a side of a classic rivalry game and dress to match. Want to enhance employee morale while improving productivity and boosting creativity? It could be a magazine subscription (on a topic they would be interested in), treats for pets, snack samples, or anything they would enjoy. We regularly share the progress our sunflowers are making. The effectiveness of office snacks is that major companies like Google use them as a perk to attract the top employees. Wed have the holiday party on Zoom, where folks would open what they had received from their gift giver. 2. 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. $10 at Amazon. Remote teammates can enjoy a show while learning more about coworkers special skills and abilities. 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 . No, not the executive lunchroom. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Thus, make it easier for team members to congratulate each other on a job well done. 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. We made an example virtual spirit week agenda: Creating a visually appealing spirit week announcement can help your crew be more excited and attentive towards the event. Plus, you could throw virtual parties for any holiday. For employees, having access to a mentor can add velocity to the workplace learning curve. Encourage healthy work-life balance by modeling healthy boundaries around time spent working and time off. Check out our list of the best online murder mysteries. Usually at this time of year, my inbox fills up with questions about company holiday parties: How many drinks are OK to have there? The cost of commuting is heavily influenced by the location of the workplace relative to where the employee lives. Simple ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in your workplace She had such a creative way for putting a holiday spin on our corporate branding, and theyre going to be a big hit! Also, its really great to take your mind off the news that we are surrounded with every day. Learn how to set new boundaries, ask for support, and re-strategize with your partner about what you need. 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. From digital marketing to online delivery services, there are several needs that the pandemic has sparked among consumers. My Boss Loves Planning an Elaborate Holiday Extravaganza. 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. Company-branded swag can be simple everyday things like t-shirts, mugs, or even pen drives. How to advocate for yourself at work during COVID-19. WeAreTeachers Staff on September 20, 2022. You can celebrate the spirit of a challenge in your Spirit Week by hosting a Versus Day. 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. Get the latest news from Namely about HR, payroll, and benefits. The best online spirit week ideas unite dispersed teammates, encourage interaction, and inspire fun. Thus becoming one of the best employee engagement activities that you can invest in. You could even hold contests to name and reward the best virtual backgrounds for each meeting. Virtual tea parties are calm yet quirky online events to hold with remote teams. Some "lush" couches. Often, in the case of. If your crew would rather perform just for fun, then end the show by giving participants a well-deserved round of virtual applause. Even a simple gesture like an appreciation message or thoughtful gifts on valentines Day or anniversaries can make a huge difference. Virtual workout or meditation classes. 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). Here are 10 ideas to consider for your school: 1. There were two main ways we did this: by requiring team members to be vaccinated, and picking a venue that would reduce people's overall exposure. While employee appreciation may seem a bit heavy on the pockets, the bottom line is that it will lead to several long-term benefits. This helps your employees feel appreciated on an ongoing basis. Its been close to two months since the World Health Organization declared the spread of the novel coronavirus an official pandemic. Breakout rooms enable guests to have more intimate conversations, so that no attendee feels like an observer. Streaming service subscriptions. 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. To establish team norms, ask: What behaviors and practices are most important right now to our teams effectiveness?. If you are looking to reward your employees with a little something extra. Recognizing employees is a great way to boost morale and build excitement during spirit week. 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. "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. Talking about making employees feel valued, a great way to do so is by involving them in the decision-making process, wherever possible. For any employee who loves to be fit or is inclined towards adopting a healthier lifestyle, gym passes make for the ultimate way to help them get started. Support families to. The purpose of online spirit weeks is to boost employee engagement and morale.
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