A great employee appreciation idea that gives day-to-day benefits is providing assigned parking spaces. 1. Thoughtful ways to build community and pride. Celebrated on the first Friday in March, it pays homage to each employee's contribution to their company. Your Team Is Now Working Remotely5 Ways To Strengthen - Forbes Then, plan festive activities to enjoy together during the call. Getting your own parking space is a highly coveted idea to really recognize your employees for doing a great job. These events help boost company pride. 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. Virtual spirit weeks bolster team resolve and brightens telecommuters moods. Online board games or trivia challenges are a great way to bring a team together for something besides work. 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. Decatur, IL (62521) Today. For our workers who have never worked from home, social isolation is deeply felt. Declaring theme days is one of the easiest spirit week ideas for work from home. In uncertain times, one thing is certain with fundraisingthe more you plan, the better off you will be. PopCap, the company behind legendary Facebook games like Bejeweled, offers some fantastic break rooms for its 400 odd employees. 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 higher motivation comes better engagement, happiness, and ultimately retention. Top 10 Ways to Grow School Spirit From Afar - PTA For example, book-binding, instrument-building, ravioli-making, or makeup lessons with a drag queen. For employees, having access to a mentor can add velocity to the workplace learning curve. Here is an example of a graphic you could use for your games. Trivia leaders can create questions and teams can decide on their favorite themes or trivia topics. For example, share with team members how you will be leading, how you will check in with them, what you will be asking about. Wishing you and your team health and tranquility. COVID-safe holiday office parties don't have to be boring Employees should be free to decide where they want to work and when they want to work whenever possible. 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. 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. Employee appreciation is the cornerstone of developing a robust and meaningful workplace culture. Employee Appreciation Day is a semi-formal holiday in the United States. Are your employee motivated to come to work every single day? Subjects should be fun and non-work related. To truly show your employees that they are doing a great job, bring in some fun office traditions like "Taco Tuesday.". Do I really have to go at all? You can take the first step in promoting the importance of health. Slate is published by The Slate Group, a Graham Holdings Company. 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. It was a lot of fun! - Stephen J. Kontos, Founder & CEO at PatentXP PLLC, We keep employee morale high by sending out thank you notes to our employees currently working from home. When you think about having a great company culture, you think about building trust, honesty, and a great team of workers. It's not only a nice little project to focus on, but gives us something to talk about that's not work or coronavirus. 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. Or you might feel concerned about the health of others, such as those who you care for or live with. From open enrollment to building a benefits package, we've got you covered. 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. To set the mood, you can encourage attendees to dress up and don fancy virtual backgrounds. This is a time to focus only on the people sitting before you. Hands-on Experiences: 1. 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. One idea that keeps popping up on our Principal Life Facebook group is the concept of a virtual theme week. 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. Honestly, Im really pleased with this decision over trying to make a Zoom party happen. We have these events called campfires that take place twice a week. Usually at this time of year, my inbox fills up with questions about company holiday parties: How many drinks are OK to have there? One of the simplest and most popular solutions has been virtual happy hours. Open windows, increase circulation, and keep room density as low as possible with fewer people in one space. Some ideas for your 30-minute morning check-ins include: One-Word Check-ins. Paint Pumpkins. Company-branded swag can be simple everyday things like t-shirts, mugs, or even pen drives. COVID-19 is expected to last for many months, with a potential resurgence in the fall. Its a really cool way to connect with your coworkers and find out more about their life outside of work. Coronavirus Will Change the World Permanently. Here's How - POLITICO Not every office can shut down for a full week, but even just an afternoon off usually goes over well: Our end-of-year celebration is usually a big lunch and then we get the rest of the afternoon off. Coming together this way will help bring your employees closer to you and boost the employee-employer relationship. Talk about what you appreciate about that particular employee. It becomes less of a break and more of a disappointment. We've had a few teams compete in virtual relays, races, or step challenges using free apps to log steps, distance ran/cycled, etc. Next, install game apps like rock paper scissors, tic tac toe, and trivia. Recommended Case Study: Indias Largest Telecom Company Boosts their Global Employee Engagement with Vantage Rewards. Theres nothing quite like desserts and ice cream to alleviate stress. Teammates can vote using the poll feature in your video meeting platform, and you can send the winner a prize. 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. Are they excited to be working for you? 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. These events can help virtual offices grow closer. 1. With these 33 employee appreciation ideas, you will see reduced turnover and retain your top talents. Then, encourage teammates to square off. Vantage Circle. Remote team games like holiday Bingo, trivia, and scavenger hunts get guests moving and invoke the holiday spirit. Their office is infused with fun, including random Razor scooters available to any staff who think better while in motion. Full coverage and live updates on the Coronavirus, This is a BETA experience. Get the latest news from Namely about HR, Payroll, and Benefits. Credit: HMH Books for Young Readers. Look at yourself in the mirror. Food is a big deal at work. Here's how the pandemic will change - CNN However, Slack games offer more flexibility, as teammates can play on their own schedules. In stock now. For instance, plan a short gentle stretch, a high-intensity cardio routine, and a themed yoga class at different time slots throughout the day. 12 Ideas for Writing Through the Pandemic With The New York Times Interesting work matter only if you have good food while youre doing it. Illustration by Supriya Kalidas. Participants can either perform alone, or collaborate with colleagues on a group act. Team costumes Whether you're a team of two or twenty, you can dress up in team costumes for Halloween. A UK study finds workers job attitudes can be bolstered by allowing them to personalize their office. Planning Your Holidays During the COVID-19 Pandemic Want to enhance employee morale while improving productivity and boosting creativity? Find out how to attract and retain your employees through their entire lifecycle. The tours could happen on a single day, or throughout the week. The Ultimate Guide to Employee Rewards and Recognition. (Source: Team Vantage Circle's Day Excursion). 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! The Coronavirus Crisis 9 Ways Schools Will Look Different When (And If) They Reopen 1. Letting employees decorate their workspaces plays an active role in building relationships within the company. One employee's commute could be inexpensive, while for another, it could be prohibitive. Learn more: 25 Employee Recognition Statistics You Shouldn't Ignore. I write about how to improve team and leadership performance. When an employee above and beyond on a project at work or accomplishes a personal goal, give them a shoutout on social media to commend their hard work. Research says that the primary cause of employees leaving their jobs is the lack of appreciation. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Make it a fun and memorable experience. Sending care packages to your remote teams builds buzz for the event and lets your employees know you care about them. I cannot wait. As anyone whos tried to organize any office activity knows, its hard, if not impossible, to find something that everyone will like, so some offices are offering a whole buffet of choices to pick from: My company couldnt find an online activity that worked for 40 people, so theyre offering a few different options. Its been close to two months since the World Health Organization declared the spread of the novel coronavirus an official pandemic. Top Pandemic-Friendly Business Ideas - U.S. Chamber This will allow team members to truly appreciate each other, leading to better team building. They are tasty, convenient, and great for hunger pangs that strike while working. However, you could include a holiday theme in your virtual spirit week during any time of the year. Not my cup of tea but a lot of people seemed to like it! 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. Following recommendations from the CDC, we've put together some helpful guide to navigating Christmas during Covid this year. From theme days to care packages to costume contests, here is a list of fun ways to celebrate spirit weeks in remote offices. Protecting Workers: Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of Food has a way of being a catalyst to bring people together. Doesnt necessarily have to be alcohol or coffeeyou could do a juice tasting, or maybe a food tasting. 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. Metal Pen and Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer. Adults need 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity activity such as brisk walking for health benefits. 10 Fun Halloween Activities to Try With Employees You can also make sure you take at least a 30-minute lunch break. To set the mood, encourage participants to put up virtual backgrounds of Victorian parlors or lush gardens. I hope this article has in some small way helped your and your teams trek through this extraordinary time. Innovative Holiday and Winter Gatherings in the Time of COVID-19 For inspiration, check out our lists of online cooking classes and online art classes. During the call, participants can chat and play fun games, or co-work while enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. Chances are, your company has one too. Ways to Boost Employee Morale During COVID-19 - Namely Today's employees seek recognition and rewards based on the career advancement that they want. While employee appreciation may seem a bit heavy on the pockets, the bottom line is that it will lead to several long-term benefits. Employees thrive at work when they know their contributions have meaning. 6. Companies all over the world are making their operations remote for the first time to combat the spread of the coronavirus. This is a great way to begin your team meetings. Host fun team games to play with your team members. To keep our employees motivated, we are encouraging and hosting virtual social time. It is a good idea to vary the class types and levels so that more team members can participate. Hear clients' stories and learn how they're building a better workplace with Namely. Encourage team members to do the same. Its expensive to recruit a new worker. Were all pretty pumped about it. Spirit weeks often involve games. How to Volunteer Remotely During the COVID-19 Crisis - AFAR As the coronavirus continues to spread and confine people largely to their homes, many are filling pages with their experiences of living through a pandemic. To make your company memorable in a sea of forgettable mugs. Employees who want to learn about new tools, techniques, or topics but have less time on their hands will consider it a fabulous opportunity. Most employees love to learn, and taking a virtual class together is a terrific spirit week idea. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your team is to enable them to let off some steam without the pressure to perform. But providing a good employee experience is the future. 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. Eight Fun Student Engagement Ideas During COVID-19 and Beyond We also have a list of the best remote team outing ideas. These activities also make great spring spirit week ideas for work. For many of us, sheltering at home and staying healthy to help " flatten the curve " of the coronavirus spread may be the most important way we can help others right now. 2. How and Where to Volunteer During the Coronavirus Pandemic Many a time, they'll bring that positivity and enthusiasm back to the workplace. But they are the last to leave. 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. As a leader, having the right mindset, structure and strategies to enhance communication and build team cohesion will help you ensure the latter is true for you and your team. Who doesnt love free food? Half of the box contained things like hand sanitizer, gloves, masks, and other health-related products to help us stay safe. Avoid the cafeteria as it can be very distracting. Share funny videos, do some riddles and brainsteasers, put music on in the background. Many a time, showing some employee appreciation may seem hard. Photo illustration by Slate. 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. Learn more about virtual costume contests. Better still, if this praise comes in front of their team members, colleagues, and peers. For example, theme days, virtual talent shows, and costume contests. Mask up. Be Intentional About Communications It's crucial that leaders don't get sucked into the. Thus becoming one of the best employee engagement activities that you can invest in. Teammates could also give a short slideshow presentation of their home cities. A crisis like this can either break ateamdown and widen any cracks in its foundation, or it canresult in the emergence of true greatness. Things to do: 100 indoor activities if you're not feeling social yet Gift cards allow people to purchase whatever they want from their favorite brands. 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. How to Be Physically Active While Social Distancing Yet now is a time when communication actually needs to be ramped up. 15 Ideas To Celebrate Halloween in the Workplace | Indeed.com Angela has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and worked as a community manager with Yelp to plan events for businesses. The best online holiday parties encourage interaction. 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. Offering a corporate wellness program within a vibrant culture of thriving well-being can significantly enhance that connection. Virtual talent shows double as entertainment and team bonding. At checkout the price was zero and you couldnt even enter a tip. At the end of the week, count up the wins, and have the victors face off against each other for the championship. Everything is impacted by COVID-19 in some way, including our work. High 53F. Then, have one attendee lead the class, or screen share a video routine. This calculation is based on it costing about six to nine months . Getty Images/PeopleImages. Tips for supporting yourself and your team - Mind It means that they can catch up on the countless movies that they have missed. Here are some suggestions: A team reset meeting will ensure team members take time to identify how to best work together in this new reality so that the team can maintain a sense of community, transition through this change effectively, and maintain (and even improve) team performance during this time while supporting the well-being of team members. Streaming service subscriptions. Appreciation from one's peers has more significance than from one's manager. Spirit weeks are a time-honored tradition, in elementary, middle, and high schools alike. Shared items such a candy jars, cereal boxes, and containers of nuts should be removed for the safety of all workers. 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 . E-Learning is the preferred modern way to upskill and learn while having the convenience of choosing the when and where. Anxiety. 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!). Some "lush" couches. Even after COVID-19, hand sanitizers are a welcomed gift, no matter your customer base or your business. You could either give employees the option of attending short 10-15 minute workouts throughout the day, or hold one or two longer sessions. Team Norms. Since healthier employees are more productive, happy, and energetic, the company will benefit from this form of appreciation. We started this challenge at Booster. They take place using video call software, online communication platforms, and occasionally social media. Wellness Resources 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. Then, send invites to the team. #StayStrongWF Spirit Week | Town of Wake Forest, NC You might find that employee appreciation becomes a tad bit easier and a whole lot more fun. The Kaiser Family Foundation found . 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 . You found our list of unique virtual spirit week ideas. Also, it doesnt have to be expensive. Video game consoles. Themed gift boxes are another popular idea: Were sending winter-y stay-at-home gift boxes. The team that plays together bonds better. First, either mail employees tea and fancy snacks, or ask attendees to bring their own refreshments and reimburse them for the expense. You could either play a facilitated murder mystery where a host guides the game and gives out clues, or follow a script for a self-guided murder mystery. Revamp your break room. There's a lot you can do to be helpful from home. Wool socks, very plushy fleece blankets, playing cards, mugs, etc. Employees respond to appreciation expressed by recognizing their good work because it confirms that their work is valued by others. Need more tips for how to keep your employees happy during COVID-19? During this time, one team member has 60 minutes to talk about their favorite subject while others listen and ask questions. Be sure to grab plenty of screen shots throughout the afternoon or evening. 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. 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. On beach day, participants post virtual backgrounds of tropical locations and sip mock mai tais. Not to mention, care packages add a tactile element to your all-online spirit week. 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. We all know that employees are the most valuable asset for a business. Want to submit a guest post? 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. Vantage Circle. An extra day off can mean a whole lot of possibilities to overworked and overstressed employees. Next, check our our list of ideas to celebrate Pride at work, online fun Friday ideas, and intern orientation activities. Also, they give continuous optimal performance. A lot. These events are the online equivalent of spirit week, and are examples of virtual employee engagement activities and virtual team celebrations, and often take place on virtual event platforms. This is how COVID-19 will change the office lunch - Fast Company While personalizing spaces at work to fit the geographic locale or the personal tastes of employees has become common. 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. Superhero Academy is a perfect fit for a hero or villain themed online spirit day. There are few things that employees feel more love for than an extra day of freedom aside from the weekend. Do the bragging on behalf of your employees, and show your whole team how fantastic everyone is. Contains 5 ml. 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.