But some employers have devised celebrations that will keep people safe and actually sound fun (even to this curmudgeon). Guests can dress up too. Decatur, IL (62521) Today. Simply gear each day's activities around a particular topic. Revamp your break room. Keeping a workplace safe during the COVID-19 pandemic can be challenging. Learn how to set new boundaries, ask for support, and re-strategize with your partner about what you need. Vantage Circle. Some good virtual spirit week ideas include virtual talent shows, Zoom spirit week backgrounds, online award shows, and theme days. At checkout the price was zero and you couldnt even enter a tip. To set the mood, you can encourage attendees to dress up and don fancy virtual backgrounds. Try a subscription box. Whether you're looking for help communicating COVID safety guidelines to your guests, searching for face masks for couples and guests (so you can look stylish while complying with guidelines from the WHO and CDC) or are in need of a cute social distancing sign, we've got you covered (literally! See: How Indoor Ventilation Systems Can Help Prevent or Permit the Spread of COVID-19 . Mention about their desirable quirks like always being on time or such. We are doing a virtual chocolate tasting with my team. Celebrate "Employee Appreciation Day" With Pomp And Show Employee Appreciation Day is a semi-formal holiday in the United States. Due to the physical demands and psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, it's been difficult for many of us to stay physically active. Basically, the idea is to boost morale by giving students a collective silly goal. This prevents you from working to the point of hunger and then scrambling to decide what to eat. Recognizing employees is a great way to boost morale and build excitement during spirit week. 2023 teambuilding.com, all rights reserved | Terms | Privacy, virtual tours of museums, zoos, and parks, list of free virtual team building activities for work, list of the best remote team outing ideas, Post a picture from your first year at the company vs now, Take a screenshot in the unlikeliest Zoom meeting spot, Film a 30-second work from home snack cooking lesson, Dress-up accessories, like sunglasses, boas, and novelty headbands, Create a collaborative world map showing which countries team members have lived in or traveled to, Ask participants to compile top 5 travel bucket lists of the destinations they would most like to visit, and pair up teammates with similar interests for a video chat, Video chat with screen pals in different countries, Compile a photo slideshow of the teams collective travels, Most likely to forget to mute/unmute the mic, Lightning fingers, aka fastest Slack replies, Most likely to binge cat videos during the workday. You might be worried about keeping yourself safe from coronavirus. Take a bubble bath (bonus: Add a glass of. 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. The cups were all the same so no one could tell what you were drinking unless you commented on it. Everyone had a week to practice and record their talents before we all watched them together during a special All Hands meeting. 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. 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. Talk about what you appreciate about that particular employee. Even a small gesture like a "thank you" goes a long way to boost productivity, increase performance and improve morale among the workforce. Virtual talent shows work best when there is a predetermined act order and an emcee to manage the flow. Each act should be around five minutes. Online escape rooms are online versions of thematic puzzle-solving games. Everything is impacted by COVID-19 in some way, including our work. Simmonds was blown away by . 2022 Alle rechten voorbehouden. After all, who doesn't like a couple of free snacks? 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. Clear your schedule for at least an hour. Dress-up days are one of the main events during spirit days at schools and offices. 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. 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. Wool socks, very plushy fleece blankets, playing cards, mugs, etc. 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. In this case they will contribute to providing some structure in an unstructured team situation. Barasha can be found either searching for interesting HR buzzwords to write about or looking at pictures of cozy Bel Air mansions. 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. In turn, healthier employees produce better results for their companies. 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. Company retreats are great for celebrating employees after successful project completion or after an outstanding financial year. Open windows, increase circulation, and keep room density as low as possible with fewer people in one space. Distance does not have to put a damper on the fun. Remote teams often work on staggered schedules, meaning that the whole crew may not be available at game time. First, give teammates a few options for online courses and ask them to vote for their favorite. Here is an example of a graphic you could use for your games. The top reason why the people enjoyed coming to work was because of "feeling appreciated.". To set the mood, encourage participants to put up virtual backgrounds of Victorian parlors or lush gardens. Slate is published by The Slate Group, a Graham Holdings Company. Wishing you and your team health and tranquility. 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. Hosting this year has been no small featand the biggest party season of all is almost here. I also personally feel that it's boosting my wellbeing and brightening my day. I hope this article has in some small way helped your and your teams trek through this extraordinary time. Go for a walk. To begin with, publicly recognizing great employees reflects well on your company for customers, investors, and your team. Participants can either perform alone, or collaborate with colleagues on a group act. The effectiveness of office snacks is that major companies like Google use them as a perk to attract the top employees. Promoting health is no longer seen as an initiative that yields 'soft' results. Priorities. 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. Believe it or not, such small stuff really sees a positively impacted company culture. Get advice from seasoned professionals about all your compliance questions and concerns. 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. SHRM estimates that it costs $20,000 to $30,000 in recruiting and training expenses to replace a manager making $40,000 a year. Team costumes Whether you're a team of two or twenty, you can dress up in team costumes for Halloween. Petit fours, miniature cupcakes, and macarons are the best tea party desserts, and finger sandwiches are another staple. Working from home can be lonely and mundane. Virtual Breakout Rooms are ideal for teams that need to brush up on their collaboration, problem-solving, and creative thinking skills. Wellness Resources Some "lush" couches. I thought this was a great way for the company to show its appreciation for staff, and it provided us with plenty of new recipes to try out just in time for the weekend. - Adam Lumb, EN Site Manager at Cashcow, One of our perks is that we give employees up to an hour each day to do something positive for their physical or mental health, such as going on a walk, reading a book, taking an exercise class, or doing a meditation (no admin or work allowed!). Successful fundraising during a recession is two-pronged: Focus hard on donor engagement and retention, and Recognizing hard work and achievement in the workplace increase employee morale, encourage healthy competition, and creates a positive atmosphere. So, whether you're paired up or have something in the works, here are 20 ideas to safely celebrate Valentine's Day during coronavirus. You found our list of unique virtual spirit week ideas. Simply schedule a Zoom meeting and ask attendees to join from an outdoor spot such as backyards, parks, or beaches. 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. Communication in remote teams, whether casual chats or work related discussions, cant easily happen as spontaneously as it does when people are sitting next to each other at work. 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. It could be a magazine subscription (on a topic they would be interested in), treats for pets, snack samples, or anything they would enjoy. But while you're indoors, there's no reason you can't explore your fun and creative side. This is a stressful time to say the least. Streaming service subscriptions. To make your company memorable in a sea of forgettable mugs. We started this challenge at Booster. 2022 Todos los derechos reservados. The events should also not take too long to do. While the other appreciation ideas might be feasible for particular projects and day-to-day work, employees will look for something more permanent in the long run. 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. Your team can decorate their jack-o'-lanterns during break, lunch, or while you hold a team meeting. 6. Instead of taking the stage, performers share their acts during a video call. Make sure you exchange emails with a volunteer coordinator or call before you . For instance, take their opinion during decisions like on-boarding new technology or a specific project. From theme days to care packages to costume contests, here is a list of fun ways to celebrate spirit weeks in remote offices. When the class arrives, learn together, and be sure to snap plenty of screenshots. Dress-up days find a niche at busy offices; employees can show up in costume but still get tons of work done. Help make kindness the norm at school, home and work by using the links below! Wed have the holiday party on Zoom, where folks would open what they had received from their gift giver. Recommended Article: Gift Cards Make For The Perfect Employee Rewards. Engage in active family play time. Consider downloading a fitness app with curated workout playlists. Celebrated on the first Friday in March, it pays homage to each employee's contribution to their company. A dynamic host facilitates this 90 minute virtual team building event with a trusty virtual sidekick. During these Walk-and-Talk meetings, employees can stroll around their neighborhoods, nearby parks, or even backyards for a change of scenery and some fresh air. Hear clients' stories and learn how they're building a better workplace with Namely. 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. If your office normally does Secret Santa or Yankee Swap gift exchanges, you can keep it going this year too. Here are 10 ideas to consider for your school: 1. Show Your Appreciation. Offering extra time off pretty much never goes amiss, especially at this time of year: In lieu of bonuses and parties and all sorts of things, my employer is just closing for the week in between Christmas and New Years and giving everyone the time offits been a hit, because thats usually a huge use of vacation days for folks. It is easier than ever to show your appreciation from the monthly Netflix fix to news and magazines. Read about more virtual talent show ideas. 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. The thing that giants like Google and Airbnb have understood is that the physical environment of the office matters. It might sound cliche, but small courtesies like a boss saying thank you to the team members can make a huge difference. You can also offer a myriad of health benefits. 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. 31. Regardless of your age, some physical activity is better than none. Just to say hi and check how they are doing. The Coronavirus Crisis 9 Ways Schools Will Look Different When (And If) They Reopen 1. Virtual spirit weeks bolster team resolve and brightens telecommuters moods. An escape room Escape room activities are available virtually and in person. 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. Not to mention that birthday parties are an opportunity to appreciate peers. Who doesnt love free food? The Kaiser Family Foundation found . The best online spirit week ideas unite dispersed teammates, encourage interaction, and inspire fun. Even after COVID-19, hand sanitizers are a welcomed gift, no matter your customer base or your business. Or, you can use an app like Donut to match up opponents, and pairs can play games instead of scheduling a video chat. And amid stay-at-home orders. Theyve asked us what charities wed recommend. Half of the box contained things like hand sanitizer, gloves, masks, and other health-related products to help us stay safe. 5. 32. 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 . Why not put a reminder in your diary when you plan to finish working? 1. This time has been invaluable to the team as they had been feeling scattered, stressed, and disconnected. Why not recognize these incredible non-work achievements in front of their peers? Encourage healthy work-life balance by modeling healthy boundaries around time spent working and time off. One of the simplest and most popular solutions has been virtual happy hours. Food has a way of being a catalyst to bring people together. How to manage COVID-19 risks when organizing meetings and events 3. For instance, on sports day, staff can wear jerseys, square off in competitive games, and participate in an online pep rally. While employee appreciation may seem a bit heavy on the pockets, the bottom line is that it will lead to several long-term benefits. 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. Make it more special by hosting a "Make Your Own Taco" competition where the winner gets some form of employee reward. 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. Getting your workplace ready in case COVID-19 arrives in your community. All contents 2023 The Slate Group LLC. 5k+ Downloads Some employees even showcased their talents liveranging from musical performances to cake baking to cat training. I write about how to improve team and leadership performance. Ventilation and air circulation are your friends. 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. Outdoor days are one of the best summer spirit week ideas for work. Simply post a different game or prompt on the company social channels every day, and instruct employees to respond using a special hashtag. School spirit week is a fun time for everyone to come together and show off their pride. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Legal. Usually at this time of year, my inbox fills up with questions about company holiday parties: How many drinks are OK to have there? Click here to find out how. The best thing about birthdays is cake. A lot. Most employees love to learn, and taking a virtual class together is a terrific spirit week idea. These morning check-ins, no matter how short are invaluable for maintaining a sense of community, checking in on how team members are doing, and to stay focused on key priorities so that momentum and performance is maintained. The Very Worst Kind of Bad Boss Just Wont Go Away. Online fundraising allows you to make a big impact even if your team is limited in members or budget. Moreover, you can drop an appreciation mail to the employees so that it stays with them forever. You can even display this social media recognition on your offices digital displays to make sure the whole team sees it. They are the first to arrive. All This Talk About Quiet Quitting Is Absurd. 29. Avoid the cafeteria as it can be very distracting. Whats the Word on The Street? Clarify expectations, for example, of performance, workflow or performance management. Once the awards end, you can email digital certificates and e-gift cards to recipients, or mail trophies and paper awards to their houses. To keep our employees motivated, we are encouraging and hosting virtual social time. I also hired a local small business to make some custom iced cookies for us. Lifestyle contests that encourage employees to exercise or try a new activity can also help boost morale. They are great team members. About how his/her contributions have aided to a projects successful completion. For some, it's Christmas and Valentine's Day; for others, it's a birthday. But when you thank them for their efforts, it can be a heart-melting moment to inspire respect for you and the business. Their diaries are told in words and. 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. Experiences, not cash, are the new corporate bonus. Many a time, showing some employee appreciation may seem hard. Your employees are amazing people with undisclosed talents. Also, they give continuous optimal performance. Encourage team members to do the same. Show your employees some love by making sure that the snacks provided are healthy and nutritious. Keep employees engaged and excited with some friendly competition. These events typically occur through a series of video meetings, group chats, and collaborative online activities. For any related queries, contact [email protected]. Elaine is a true partner in every sense of the word and would be a huge asset to any company. An extra day off can mean a whole lot of possibilities to overworked and overstressed employees. 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.