Wool socks, very plushy fleece blankets, playing cards, mugs, etc. Elaine is a true partner in every sense of the word and would be a huge asset to any company. 5k+ Downloads Some are great artists, while some spend their time doing charity work. Or, you can use an app like Donut to match up opponents, and pairs can play games instead of scheduling a video chat. Challengers can play the games directly in the channel, or via direct message. 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. 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. The Kaiser Family Foundation found . 7. They are tasty, convenient, and great for hunger pangs that strike while working. 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. This calculation is based on it costing about six to nine months . You can also use GeoGessr to play a destination-guessing game, or take virtual tours of museums, zoos, and parks together. Keeping a workplace safe during the COVID-19 pandemic can be challenging. 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. A dynamic host facilitates this 90 minute virtual team building event with a trusty virtual sidekick. 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. If your crew would rather perform just for fun, then end the show by giving participants a well-deserved round of virtual applause. 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 . Its been close to two months since the World Health Organization declared the spread of the novel coronavirus an official pandemic. This is a great way to begin your team meetings. 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. Teams complete comic-book-themed riddles and puzzles and virtual minute-to-win-it challenges to climb the leaderboard and save the world. 2022 Todos os direitos reservados. 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. 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. I also hired a local small business to make some custom iced cookies for us. By planning an online retreat for spirit week, you block out employees time and free staff to enjoy the festivities. 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. For instance, plan a short gentle stretch, a high-intensity cardio routine, and a themed yoga class at different time slots throughout the day. SHRM estimates that it costs $20,000 to $30,000 in recruiting and training expenses to replace a manager making $40,000 a year. Not to mention, care packages add a tactile element to your all-online spirit week. Metal Pen and Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer. You might find that employee appreciation becomes a tad bit easier and a whole lot more fun. Moreover, you can drop an appreciation mail to the employees so that it stays with them forever. Petit fours, miniature cupcakes, and macarons are the best tea party desserts, and finger sandwiches are another staple. Make it more special by hosting a "Make Your Own Taco" competition where the winner gets some form of employee reward. Thoughtful ways to build community and pride. Thus in this scenario, investing in an effective recognition program becomes a critical part of employee engagement. Ventilation and air circulation are your friends. Support families to. 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. Make the day memorable by organizing outside barbecues or small office parties. Make sure you exchange emails with a volunteer coordinator or call before you . It means that they can catch up on the countless movies that they have missed. And what could be better for this purpose than to offer E-Learning options? Get Competitive. 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. For any related queries, contact editor@vantagecircle.com. Toilet paper and Netflix memes are very popular right now. Following recommendations from the CDC, we've put together some helpful guide to navigating Christmas during Covid this year. But some employers have devised celebrations that will keep people safe and actually sound fun (even to this curmudgeon). Some ideas include: Characters from a favorite movie The best online holiday parties encourage interaction. While Valentine's Day will most likely look different than years past, you can still have fun with your significant other and make it memorable and safe. But with 29% of Americans reporting that they never drink alcohol, it is time for businesses to think of more inclusive activities. But employees with a few years of experience should be matched with a career mentor to help them grow in their position. Even a simple gesture like an appreciation message or thoughtful gifts on valentines Day or anniversaries can make a huge difference. With these 33 employee appreciation ideas, you will see reduced turnover and retain your top talents. Streaming service subscriptions. Make it meaningful for the employee so that they cherish it and put in their extra effort. Many of us now look forward to Mondays because of these hilarious crosswords! The consulting group McKinsey & Co. surveyed 1,000 employers , and 90 percent reported that the pandemic was affecting the behavioral health of their employees. Talk about what you appreciate about that particular employee. The Coronavirus Crisis 9 Ways Schools Will Look Different When (And If) They Reopen 1. Remote teams often work on staggered schedules, meaning that the whole crew may not be available at game time. Saint Lucia has more than a dozen COVID-19 regulations for hotels, and visitors must get a negative COVID-19 test within a week of their arrival on the island. Inject Fun and Humor. The best thing about birthdays is cake. Go for a walk. PopCap, the company behind legendary Facebook games like Bejeweled, offers some fantastic break rooms for its 400 odd employees. That's why it's vital to spread your actions around multiple methods of transports to appeal to the broadest proportion of your workforce. But when you thank them for their efforts, it can be a heart-melting moment to inspire respect for you and the business. Have office happy hours and hire a bartender to mix them a drink or two. While employee appreciation may seem a bit heavy on the pockets, the bottom line is that it will lead to several long-term benefits. You get the best effort from others, not by lighting a fire beneath them but by building a fire within. From open enrollment to building a benefits package, we've got you covered. Trivia leaders can create questions and teams can decide on their favorite themes or trivia topics. Plus, the posts are a great way to advertise your companys culture to a wider audience. 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. The thing that giants like Google and Airbnb have understood is that the physical environment of the office matters. Wishing you and your team health and tranquility. This is a time to focus only on the people sitting before you. Not to mention that birthday parties are an opportunity to appreciate peers. Teammates can vote using the poll feature in your video meeting platform, and you can send the winner a prize. Virtual talent shows double as entertainment and team bonding. The best way to decorate virtual offices is by using virtual meeting backgrounds. But to make them feel valued is what employees think is the most important. 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). The Ultimate Guide to Employee Rewards and Recognition. For instance, on sports day, staff can wear jerseys, square off in competitive games, and participate in an online pep rally. 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. Wed have the holiday party on Zoom, where folks would open what they had received from their gift giver. After face masks, custom hand sanitizers are the next health and safety giveaway idea on our list. 1. 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. 2022 Tous droits rservs. Call in a local food truck specializing in the cuisine and make it mandatory for people to take a break and eat a taco. How to be a good coworker and leader during this crisis. These activities broaden employees global and cultural horizons while also delighting the teams travel lovers. Social Media is the biggest influencer of our generation. Throughout the evening or afternoon, read awards off one by one, and give each winner 30 seconds to give a victory speech. An extra day off can mean a whole lot of possibilities to overworked and overstressed employees. 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. 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. With trick-or-treating officially considered a high-risk activity, you may be scrambling to find something for your little goblins to do on the 31st. Team Norms. Content Expert at teambuilding.com. Coronavirus has put a particular national spotlight on unmet needs of the growing older population in our country, and the tens of millions of overstretched family and professional caregivers they . 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. 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. 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. Its expensive to recruit a new worker. Companies all over the world are making their operations remote for the first time to combat the spread of the coronavirus. 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. School spirit week is a fun time for everyone to come together and show off their pride. 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. Virtual spirit weeks are weeklong events that consist of a series of fun and interactive online activities. Learn more about virtual costume contests. 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 can supplement your on-the-clock remote spirit week activities with fun social media challenges. In times of isolation it can be very difficult to stay on top of where everyone is at. Their office is infused with fun, including random Razor scooters available to any staff who think better while in motion. How to advocate for yourself at work during COVID-19. The cups were all the same so no one could tell what you were drinking unless you commented on it. For example, build breaks into your work schedule, remind team members to take breaks, and don't do work tasks while off work.7,8,9,10,11,12,13 Model problem solving from a variety of viewpoints. 2. We regularly share the progress our sunflowers are making. Some leaders consistently interact with those they most easily connect with but may not as readily think of others. Remote teammates can enjoy a show while learning more about coworkers special skills and abilities. 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. But they are the last to leave. Here are list of themes to use for online spirit weeks. Instead of the usual tables and activities, they had booths set up where treats were handed through the window. If time is not available to do this well in one meeting book another one but within the next 24 hours so as not to lose momentum. One such example that predates COVID-19 (if you follow our newsletter, you already know that it's a personal favorite of mine) is the Be My Eyes app. When employees feel that their work is valued, their satisfaction and productivity rise. ). Simply schedule a Zoom meeting and ask attendees to join from an outdoor spot such as backyards, parks, or beaches. There's a lot you can do to be helpful from home. Or you might feel concerned about the health of others, such as those who you care for or live with. Your employees are amazing people with undisclosed talents. These events can help virtual offices grow closer. Employees who want to learn about new tools, techniques, or topics but have less time on their hands will consider it a fabulous opportunity. 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. Often, in the case of. Barasha can be found either searching for interesting HR buzzwords to write about or looking at pictures of cozy Bel Air mansions. 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. The sudden need to adapt to these changes during COVID has given rise to new challenges that range from work-life stress, disparities in employees' ability to work from home effectively, and the increased need for employers to support worker safety, health, and well-being both at work and outside the traditional work environment. 29. Declaring theme days is one of the easiest spirit week ideas for work from home. A lot. I also personally feel that it's boosting my wellbeing and brightening my day. 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 top reason why the people enjoyed coming to work was because of "feeling appreciated.". Real world elements make virtual exercises more engaging and interactive. After all, who doesn't like a couple of free snacks? Here are instructions on changing virtual backgrounds in Zoom, GoogleMeet, and Microsoft Teams.