In advance we were all given a link to a store that sells cocktail making kits. Get the latest news from Namely about HR, Payroll, and Benefits. You can even use it as a way to support local businesses: We were able to do family meals for our employees. 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. 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. Illustration by Supriya Kalidas. A viral photo with suggestions for "Homeschool Spirit Week" has been circling social media. You might feel anxious about: Your own safety and the safety of others. Online escape rooms are online versions of thematic puzzle-solving games. Make it meaningful for the employee so that they cherish it and put in their extra effort. This will allow team members to truly appreciate each other, leading to better team building. Wishing you and your team health and tranquility. 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. Spirit weeks are a time-honored tradition, in elementary, middle, and high schools alike. Teammates can vote using the poll feature in your video meeting platform, and you can send the winner a prize. 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. Next, check our our list of ideas to celebrate Pride at work, online fun Friday ideas, and intern orientation activities. We all know that employees are the most valuable asset for a business. 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. But when you thank them for their efforts, it can be a heart-melting moment to inspire respect for you and the business. Often, in the case of. Typical activities include theme days, costume contests, and online parties. 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. And of course folks could also just log off if they wanted to, with no pressure to spend the rest of the day working. Virtual spirit weeks are weeklong events that consist of a series of fun and interactive online activities. All This Talk About Quiet Quitting Is Absurd. Look at yourself in the mirror. There's a lot you can do to be helpful from home. 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. Wed have the holiday party on Zoom, where folks would open what they had received from their gift giver. Teams complete comic-book-themed riddles and puzzles and virtual minute-to-win-it challenges to climb the leaderboard and save the world. 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. Or it just might be a beautiful day to sleep in. Paint Pumpkins. The thing that giants like Google and Airbnb have understood is that the physical environment of the office matters. Online retreats are company gatherings that take place online. Team building content expert. Priorities. But follow the 33 employee appreciation ideas articulated in this article. Not to fear: There are plenty of Halloween-inspired crafts to go around. Find out how to attract and retain your employees through their entire lifecycle. Doesnt necessarily have to be alcohol or coffeeyou could do a juice tasting, or maybe a food tasting. 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. The knowledge that there is a whole day dedicated to employee appreciation should let you know its significance. For instance, take their opinion during decisions like on-boarding new technology or a specific project. Hands-on Experiences: 1. For more ideas, check out our roundup of team building workouts. They had a selection that included non-alcoholic mixes too (like a ginger lemonade). To truly show your employees that they are doing a great job, bring in some fun office traditions like "Taco Tuesday.". Consider sending your top ten performers off for a day or two at a spa to provide an incentive for continued outstanding performance. Inject Fun and Humor. This article is written by Barasha Medhi who is a part of the marketing team at Vantage Circle. 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. 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. Virtual tea parties are calm yet quirky online events to hold with remote teams. 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. Even a simple gesture like an appreciation message or thoughtful gifts on valentines Day or anniversaries can make a huge difference. Make Sure You're COVID Safe. Beyond bestowing traditional awards like extraordinary performance, team player, or rookie of the year, you can also create fun award categories. First, either mail employees tea and fancy snacks, or ask attendees to bring their own refreshments and reimburse them for the expense. Here is our take on enhancing employee motivation with the below 33 exceptional employee appreciation ideas. Snacks are a fantastic food item that doesn't require you to get out of your desk when you want to eat something light. Get Chinese food somewhere. But with 29% of Americans reporting that they never drink alcohol, it is time for businesses to think of more inclusive activities. 7. Be sure to grab plenty of screen shots throughout the afternoon or evening. You could even hold contests to name and reward the best virtual backgrounds for each meeting. Or you might feel concerned about the health of others, such as those who you care for or live with. Even after COVID-19, hand sanitizers are a welcomed gift, no matter your customer base or your business. 32. Avoid the cafeteria as it can be very distracting. Want to give someone the gift that keeps on giving? Why not put a reminder in your diary when you plan to finish working? Shared items such a candy jars, cereal boxes, and containers of nuts should be removed for the safety of all workers. It's marketed as "COVID-19 style" since all schools across the state are currently shut down. Consider downloading a fitness app with curated workout playlists. These activities also make great spring spirit week ideas for work. If you are looking to reward your employees with a little something extra. WeAreTeachers Staff on September 20, 2022. Children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years need at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity daily. Theres nothing quite like desserts and ice cream to alleviate stress. Commemorating a work anniversary is a robust employee engagement, development, and retention tool and a way to recognize and show your appreciation to a valued employee. To host an online award show, first create award categories. Simply gear each days activities around a particular topic. 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. Successful fundraising during a recession is two-pronged: Focus hard on donor engagement and retention, and Help make kindness the norm at school, home and work by using the links below! Simply gear each day's activities around a particular topic. 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. Sending care packages to your remote teams builds buzz for the event and lets your employees know you care about them. Contains 5 ml. Appreciation from one's peers has more significance than from one's manager. Dessert buffets are fun and positively addicting. This year, theyre sending a food related gift to our homes and giving us the afternoon off. You will see that a few words of appreciation can do wonders for the workplace. Elaine is a true partner in every sense of the word and would be a huge asset to any company. Either way, ask participants to record results by posting them to the channel in a @WIN/@LOSS format. Thoughtful ways to build community and pride. From open enrollment to building a benefits package, we've got you covered. Recommended Article: 23 Awesome Ways To Make Every Employee Work Anniversary Memorable. Believe it or not, such small stuff really sees a positively impacted company culture. Weve had a few teams compete in virtual relays, races, or step challenges using free apps to log steps, distance ran/cycled, etc. I hope the concrete strategies and steps I share below will help you to bring some added calm, focus and renewed energy to your team. Some good virtual spirit week ideas include virtual talent shows, Zoom spirit week backgrounds, online award shows, and theme days. Recommended Article: Gift Cards Make For The Perfect Employee Rewards. Heres some of what people reported. Here are three ways employers can reduce panic and keep employee morale up during the coronavirus outbreak. It is a good idea to vary the class types and levels so that more team members can participate. This calculation is based on it costing about six to nine months . Things to consider when you and your employees travel 4. Challengers can play the games directly in the channel, or via direct message. Some of these challenges involve participants play-acting and using props during Zoom calls, while simpler versions consist of a series of riddles on Google Forms. Also, they give continuous optimal performance. But to make them feel valued is what employees think is the most important. 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. Some ideas for your 30-minute morning check-ins include: One-Word Check-ins. For example, share with team members how you will be leading, how you will check in with them, what you will be asking about. Gift ideas ranged, but included orchids, stay-at-home picnic baskets, family dinners, bookstore gift cards, and fancy coffee! - Nicole Canulla, Head of Marketing & Communications at DUST Identity, What I've found very engaging and will definitely continue to use even after we're no longer remote is Donut. Whats Really So Wrong About Secretly Working Two Full-Time Jobs at Once? But there is one occasion that should be praised with the same level of spirit and vigor as the restthe work anniversary. Get the latest news from Namely about HR, payroll, and benefits. Also, it doesnt have to be expensive. From relaxing countryside walks to exciting challenges, your staff will have the time of their lives. But some employers have devised celebrations that will keep people safe and actually sound fun (even to this curmudgeon). to Launch During a Pandemic. Typical spirit weeks involve decorating contests. Ensure that everyone gets that attention. Gift cards allow people to purchase whatever they want from their favorite brands. During this time, one team member has 60 minutes to talk about their favorite subject while others listen and ask questions. Dress-up days are one of the main events during spirit days at schools and offices. Its common knowledge that people love gift cards. Recognizing employees is a great way to boost morale and build excitement during spirit week. Coffee and Chocolate Tastings It doesn't have to be cocktail focused. 2022 Todos los derechos reservados. A great employee appreciation idea that gives day-to-day benefits is providing assigned parking spaces. 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 . Get advice from seasoned professionals about all your compliance questions and concerns. And what could be better for this purpose than to offer E-Learning options? Learn more about virtual costume contests. Whats the Word on The Street? 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. 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. Find out how to shape a culture that attracts, engages, After the bartender presentation (which was short) everybody got to chat and enjoy their drinks for some time before saying goodbye. 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. These small everyday gestures can come off as a pleasant surprise and make employees feel valued. Mention about their desirable quirks like always being on time or such. Home tours are a fun way for remote teammates to invite each other into personal spaces. Cycling is beneficial for your. Some employees even showcased their talents liveranging from musical performances to cake baking to cat training. That can be too intimidating for your employees. Many a time, showing some employee appreciation may seem hard. Simply designate a theme for each day or meeting, then choose the best dressed for each category. Give a prize to the two team members who wear the most well-thought . The BIG List of School Spirit Week Ideas (80+ Activities!) 3 Ways Tech Company Sysomos Transformed Employee Experience, 5 Tips to Implement Summer Work Schedules, 6 Design Ideas to Create an Inspiring Work Environment. SWAG stands for "stuff we all get." Also, remember to turn your phone off. For example, new employees should receive a buddy to learn the ropes. Need more tips for how to keep your employees happy during COVID-19? From digital marketing to online delivery services, there are several needs that the pandemic has sparked among consumers. When showtime arrives, gather on a Zoom call. You might find that employee appreciation becomes a tad bit easier and a whole lot more fun. 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. 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 box also had a few ingredients, fresh produce, and a list of recipes you could make with everything. It means that they can catch up on the countless movies that they have missed. Some "lush" couches. This is one of the most underrated employee appreciation ideas out there. Thus, make it easier for team members to congratulate each other on a job well done. Not to mention that birthday parties are an opportunity to appreciate peers. The top reason why the people enjoyed coming to work was because of "feeling appreciated.". Employees thrive at work when they know their contributions have meaning. There are many fun online activities that suit an international or travel-themed spirit week or spirit day. An escape room Escape room activities are available virtually and in person. I write about how to improve team and leadership performance. Its a way for us to provide food and a gathering without being on-site and in groups. Here come's the most impactful one in our list of employee appreciation ideas. It definitely is the easiest and quickest Zoom icebreaker out there. 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 best thing about birthdays is cake. Whats Working/Whats Not? 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. Better still, if this praise comes in front of their team members, colleagues, and peers. More than a manager, an employee's peers are more likely to know about their good qualities. Why not see which team has the most steps or ran the furthest distance this week? 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. Employees respond to appreciation expressed by recognizing their good work because it confirms that their work is valued by others. Want to enhance employee morale while improving productivity and boosting creativity? The employee experience is better, and the company's outcome stronger. Here are list of themes to use for online spirit weeks. 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. Its expensive to recruit a new worker. One of the simplest and most popular solutions has been virtual happy hours. An extra day off can mean a whole lot of possibilities to overworked and overstressed employees. 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. 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. 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.