Learn how to set new boundaries, ask for support, and re-strategize with your partner about what you need. Then, after that, we had the opportunity to go into breakout roomslast year, one room did Schitts Creek trivia (it was a favorite among many staffers), another did Pictionary using the annotate functions of Zoom. Make it more special by hosting a "Make Your Own Taco" competition where the winner gets some form of employee reward. Talk about what you appreciate about that particular employee. 1. 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. (Source: Team Vantage Circle's Day Excursion). There are many fun online activities that suit an international or travel-themed spirit week or spirit day. Distance does not have to put a damper on the fun. 7. Team Norms. All contents 2023 The Slate Group LLC. In uncertain times, one thing is certain with fundraisingthe more you plan, the better off you will be. 2022 Todos los derechos reservados. Recommended Article: 23 Awesome Ways To Make Every Employee Work Anniversary Memorable. Superhero Academy is equal parts fun, intellectual, and competitive. After the bartender presentation (which was short) everybody got to chat and enjoy their drinks for some time before saying goodbye. 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 . For more tournament ideas, check out our list of Slack games. Letting employees decorate their workspaces plays an active role in building relationships within the company. Photo illustration by Slate. Keep employees engaged and excited with some friendly competition. Avoid the cafeteria as it can be very distracting. Some leaders consistently interact with those they most easily connect with but may not as readily think of others. 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. You get the best effort from others, not by lighting a fire beneath them but by building a fire within. Not my cup of tea but a lot of people seemed to like it! Virtual Fun Run Cost: $$ Difficulty: 4 Earning Potential: The day-to-day work life might get hectic and tedious for everyone in the office. If you are looking to reward your employees with a little something extra. 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. Jamaica We have 30+ experiences to choose from, and thousands of five star reviews. Donut is an app in our Slack channel that randomly pairs up coworkers together, encouraging them to set up a coffee meeting (of course, in this case, a virtual coffee meeting) in order to get to know each other better. Half of the box contained things like hand sanitizer, gloves, masks, and other health-related products to help us stay safe. 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. Encourage team members to do the same. Why not see which team has the most steps or ran the furthest distance this week? The week before your work at home spirit week, mail boxes full of goodies to team members. Get to know your employees and find out what they like so you can give gift cards that are tailored to their interests. This activity involves solving puzzles and finding clues to "escape" a themed room. In this case they will contribute to providing some structure in an unstructured team situation. A team lunch is a great way through which everyone can bond with each other and with you. 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. 2. Subjects should be fun and non-work related. You might be worried about keeping yourself safe from coronavirus. 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. Getty Images/PeopleImages. In advance we were all given a link to a store that sells cocktail making kits. When showtime arrives, gather on a Zoom call. Participants can either perform alone, or collaborate with colleagues on a group act. Share funny videos, do some riddles and brainsteasers, put music on in the background. To establish team norms, ask: What behaviors and practices are most important right now to our teams effectiveness?. Check out our list of the best online murder mysteries. An escape room Escape room activities are available virtually and in person. Spirit weeks often involve games. Namely's powerful HR Software is built for mid-sized companies designed to be used by everyone, every day. 1. The BIG List of School Spirit Week Ideas (80+ Activities!) Social Media is the biggest influencer of our generation. 9. California-based Chowbotics, has seen an uptick in demand for its fresh food robot "Sally.". The charm of subscription boxes is that theres something for everyone! It's marketed as "COVID-19 style" since all schools across the state are currently shut down. Team costumes Whether you're a team of two or twenty, you can dress up in team costumes for Halloween. Revamp your break room. Are they excited to be working for you? Sending care packages to your remote teams builds buzz for the event and lets your employees know you care about them. Should I bring a date? Remote teammates can enjoy a show while learning more about coworkers special skills and abilities. This article is written by Barasha Medhi who is a part of the marketing team at Vantage Circle. Here are some ideas that seem newly relevant given the constraints of 2020 and beyond. Working from home can be challenging. Perhaps the best gift to give your employees is recognizing your employees publicly for a great job done. Your employees are amazing people with undisclosed talents. Once the awards end, you can email digital certificates and e-gift cards to recipients, or mail trophies and paper awards to their houses. Plus, you could throw virtual parties for any holiday. Inject Fun and Humor. A dynamic host facilitates this 90 minute virtual team building event with a trusty virtual sidekick. Reward employees with a token or gift of appreciation from your side. I also personally feel that it's boosting my wellbeing and brightening my day. Home tours are a fun way for remote teammates to invite each other into personal spaces. Usually at this time of year, my inbox fills up with questions about company holiday parties: How many drinks are OK to have there? Its been close to two months since the World Health Organization declared the spread of the novel coronavirus an official pandemic. It offers employees a brief respite from their daily work. Along with trivia nights and snack boxes, some enterprising folks have floated the idea of virtual cocktail parties, costume contests or craft workshops to spice up virtual holiday celebrations.. 2. 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 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. After your holiday meal, go on a virtual group walk through your respective neighborhoods to work off the food. It is a good idea to vary the class types and levels so that more team members can participate. Then, have one attendee lead the class, or screen share a video routine. Check out more more aboutonline retreat ideas. "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. Take a bubble bath (bonus: Add a glass of. It is especially meaningful when the appreciation comes from their bosses. Book an Airbnb virtual experience. So far, people have hosted presentations on their favorite hobby, sports team, family, the country they come from, favorite food, favorite lockdown activity, etc. Spirit week is a week-long event that promotes company pride and employee engagement through fun activities. We've had a few teams compete in virtual relays, races, or step challenges using free apps to log steps, distance ran/cycled, etc. Spirit weeks are a time-honored tradition, in elementary, middle, and high schools alike. The key is making exercise a daily priority, and the holidays are no different. If you developed team norms to stay on top of (as above), then ensure you check-in on them. The best online spirit week ideas unite dispersed teammates, encourage interaction, and inspire fun. From theme days to care packages to costume contests, here is a list of fun ways to celebrate spirit weeks in remote offices. Even after COVID-19, hand sanitizers are a welcomed gift, no matter your customer base or your business. 1. They take place using video call software, online communication platforms, and occasionally social media. Keep Little Hands Busy. Also, it doesnt have to be expensive. Following recommendations from the CDC, we've put together some helpful guide to navigating Christmas during Covid this year. At checkout the price was zero and you couldnt even enter a tip. 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. You. Also, busy workdays are where lunches are spent with a sad sandwich while staring at the computer. 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. 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. But some employers have devised celebrations that will keep people safe and actually sound fun (even to this curmudgeon). It could be a magazine subscription (on a topic they would be interested in), treats for pets, snack samples, or anything they would enjoy. 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. Since healthier employees are more productive, happy, and energetic, the company will benefit from this form of appreciation. It is working together that will get us through this time. We are doing a virtual chocolate tasting with my team. PopCap, the company behind legendary Facebook games like Bejeweled, offers some fantastic break rooms for its 400 odd employees. You could either give employees the option of attending short 10-15 minute workouts throughout the day, or hold one or two longer sessions. You can even display this social media recognition on your offices digital displays to make sure the whole team sees it. Just to say hi and check how they are doing. Get Competitive. Now more than ever, we need to lean on each other for support. 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). There are few things that employees feel more love for than an extra day of freedom aside from the weekend. December is the most obvious time to throw a virtual holiday party. Your objectives for the meeting will be to: Note: This is not a meeting to be rushed. Once the votes are in, book the top ranking classes. 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. Be sure to grab plenty of screen shots throughout the afternoon or evening. Breakout rooms enable guests to have more intimate conversations, so that no attendee feels like an observer. Before the . Regardless of your age, some physical activity is better than none. Be Intentional About Communications It's crucial that leaders don't get sucked into the. by HR professionals across the globe! Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight 2022 Todos os direitos reservados. 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. It might sound cliche, but small courtesies like a boss saying thank you to the team members can make a huge difference. The chocolate tasting person is mailing out the tasting kits to all of us and will lead us through the tasting via Zoom. Ask each person to share one word to describe how they are feeling in that moment. Hear clients' stories and learn how they're building a better workplace with Namely. Get the resources. 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. You can also use GeoGessr to play a destination-guessing game, or take virtual tours of museums, zoos, and parks together. 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. Therefore it's a win-win situation. Check out BoostEducatorsChallenge.com for details. Add some seriously "tricked out" kitchens on each floor of their facilities. Do I really have to go at all? If you have to be indoors, consider air flow. Taking care of your employees' health is the most prominent form of appreciation that you can show. Simple ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in your workplace But while you're indoors, there's no reason you can't explore your fun and creative side. Either way, ask participants to record results by posting them to the channel in a @WIN/@LOSS format. I hope this article has in some small way helped your and your teams trek through this extraordinary time. Sometimes, the utmost appreciation that an employee seeks is a promotion in his job role. Photos by Getty Images Plus. Just beware of overdosing on sugar. I write about how to improve team and leadership performance. The Very Worst Kind of Bad Boss Just Wont Go Away. By planning an online retreat for spirit week, you block out employees time and free staff to enjoy the festivities. Attempt a self portrait with pencil and paper. Click here to find out how. For instance, if you host a murder mystery, then include character cards in the boxes. 29. 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. Gathering via video call and online communication platforms gives groups a chance to relax, re-energize, and reconnect with teammates. 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. Some good virtual spirit week ideas include virtual talent shows, Zoom spirit week backgrounds, online award shows, and theme days. To keep our employees motivated, we are encouraging and hosting virtual social time. Explore them here: On Fridays, our team puts on ridiculous outfits to make each other laugh during virtual meetings. Your team can decorate their jack-o'-lanterns during break, lunch, or while you hold a team meeting. 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. A crisis like this can either break ateamdown and widen any cracks in its foundation, or it canresult in the emergence of true greatness. 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. You can even use it as a way to support local businesses: We were able to do family meals for our employees. The cost of commuting is heavily influenced by the location of the workplace relative to where the employee lives. 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. To host a virtual talent show, invite teammates to sign up for slots. They are tasty, convenient, and great for hunger pangs that strike while working. Maintain a positive work/life balance and encourage your team to do the same It's easy to work longer hours and take fewer breaks when working from home. The disease is extremely contagious, yet many infected people are asymptomatic, and patterns of transmission are not always clear. Theyve asked us what charities wed recommend. That can be too intimidating for your employees. Gather the kids and create Paper Mice, Halloween skull jewelry, and more. Make it meaningful for the employee so that they cherish it and put in their extra effort. We all know that employees are the most valuable asset for a business. This is one of the most underrated employee appreciation ideas out there. Recognizing employees is a great way to boost morale and build excitement during spirit week. Quarantine spirit week consisted of a unique theme for each day: skater Sunday, monochromatic Monday, tie-dye Tuesday, wig Wednesday, 13 going on Thursday and casual Friday. Ensure time is spent checking in on the teams main priorities - any urgent issues that need to be addressed? 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. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Video game consoles. Or you might feel concerned about the health of others, such as those who you care for or live with. 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. 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. COVID-19 is expected to last for many months, with a potential resurgence in the fall. Online board games or trivia challenges are a great way to bring a team together for something besides work. Getting your workplace ready in case COVID-19 arrives in your community. Recommended Article: The Ultimate Guide To Employee Rewards and Recognition. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the federal government (OSHA) has provided detailed guidelinesfor workplace safety policies. To set the mood, you can encourage attendees to dress up and don fancy virtual backgrounds. In stock now. Recommended Case Study: Indias Largest Telecom Company Boosts their Global Employee Engagement with Vantage Rewards. You could even hold contests to name and reward the best virtual backgrounds for each meeting. Show your employees some love by making sure that the snacks provided are healthy and nutritious. 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. These activities broaden employees global and cultural horizons while also delighting the teams travel lovers. In times of isolation it can be very difficult to stay on top of where everyone is at. 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. For example, share with team members how you will be leading, how you will check in with them, what you will be asking about. Bring in a songwriter, band, or comedian to perform at your workplace. 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. From open enrollment to building a benefits package, we've got you covered. 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. Finally going on a picnic with their loved ones. Research says that the primary cause of employees leaving their jobs is the lack of appreciation. 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. Better still, if this praise comes in front of their team members, colleagues, and peers. Today's employees seek recognition and rewards based on the career advancement that they want. The purpose of online spirit weeks is to boost employee engagement and morale. 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. The top reason why the people enjoyed coming to work was because of "feeling appreciated.". Why not put a reminder in your diary when you plan to finish working? To set the mood, encourage participants to put up virtual backgrounds of Victorian parlors or lush gardens. First, choose a date and send a video meeting link to your colleagues. Some ideas for your 30-minute morning check-ins include: Establish virtual coffee chats with individual team members. Spirit Week ideas for busy offices should include low-maintenance events that require minimal planning from event organizers and the participants. Dessert buffets are fun and positively addicting. All in all, make the day about them, i.e., your employees. Next, install game apps like rock paper scissors, tic tac toe, and trivia. 1. Halloween is the time of year when employees can showcase their creativity and interact with coworkers they may not normally work closely with. For the main event, meet up on a video call to sip tea, chat, and play games. Develop team norms. Decatur, IL (62521) Today. The Ultimate Guide to Employee Rewards and Recognition. The other half consisted of beer (or non-alcoholic drinks), snacks, tea, and homemade salsa. 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. 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. 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 . Thus in this scenario, investing in an effective recognition program becomes a critical part of employee engagement. 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. Not to mention, care packages add a tactile element to your all-online spirit week. Spirit week attendees can either make their own backgrounds using Canva or Photoshop, or can download one from online. Instead of the usual tables and activities, they had booths set up where treats were handed through the window. Websites like Elfster or DrawNames will organize the whole process for you, letting you set a gift budget and providing space for participants to share their wish lists: I worked in a fully remote environment last holiday season, and this had been a tradition for several years, though it was entirely opt-in. Typical spirit weeks involve decorating contests. To truly show your employees that they are doing a great job, bring in some fun office traditions like "Taco Tuesday.". Find out how to shape a culture that attracts, engages, Instead, health promotion ensures that your staff actually want and like to be at work. 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. It's not only a nice little project to focus on, but gives us something to talk about that's not work or coronavirus. If your office normally does Secret Santa or Yankee Swap gift exchanges, you can keep it going this year too. When the class arrives, learn together, and be sure to snap plenty of screenshots. Employees respond to appreciation expressed by recognizing their good work because it confirms that their work is valued by others. Celebrating employee birthdays never gets old. It is capped at $200 per day, and $2,000 in total, for employees who have a family member affected by COVID-19 or a child staying at home because their school is closed. However, Slack games offer more flexibility, as teammates can play on their own schedules. Slack game tournaments are great ideas for virtual spirit weeks. Record and report COVID-19 infections and deaths: Under mandatory OSHA rules in 29 CFR part 1904, employers are required to record work-related cases of COVID-19 illness on OSHA's Form 300 logs if the following requirements are met: (1) the case is a confirmed case of COVID-19; (2) the case is work-related (as defined by 29 CFR 1904.5); and . 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. Its a way for us to provide food and a gathering without being on-site and in groups. Virtual spirit weeks bolster team resolve and brightens telecommuters moods. After face masks, custom hand sanitizers are the next health and safety giveaway idea on our list. For example, theme days, virtual talent shows, and costume contests. Toilet paper and Netflix memes are very popular right now. Being a boss, every positive word from you will act as a huge morale booster for your employees. Theres nothing quite like desserts and ice cream to alleviate stress. Have regular check ins with individual team members. During the COVID-19 crisis, you can do a lot more from your couch than you may realize. Then there will be a contest with prizes for best house, most creative house, house that looks like the before pic on a HGTV show, etc. This will allow team members to truly appreciate each other, leading to better team building. It doesnt have to be cocktail focused. Basically, the idea is to boost morale by giving students a collective silly goal. These events can help virtual offices grow closer. Whats the Word on The Street? Breakout Rooms! 1. But to make them feel valued is what employees think is the most important. Talking about making employees feel valued, a great way to do so is by involving them in the decision-making process, wherever possible. Plus, the posts are a great way to advertise your companys culture to a wider audience.