This activity involves solving puzzles and finding clues to "escape" a themed room. Throughout the evening or afternoon, read awards off one by one, and give each winner 30 seconds to give a victory speech. The employee experience is better, and the company's outcome stronger. After the bartender presentation (which was short) everybody got to chat and enjoy their drinks for some time before saying goodbye. And amid stay-at-home orders. Typical activities include theme days, costume contests, and online parties. Develop team norms. 3. Our division is doing a holiday drive-in movie and renting out a drive-in theater for the evening. This is one of the most underrated employee appreciation ideas out there. Learn more about virtual costume contests. Superhero Academy is a perfect fit for a hero or villain themed online spirit day. 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.. It might sound cliche, but small courtesies like a boss saying thank you to the team members can make a huge difference. But employees with a few years of experience should be matched with a career mentor to help them grow in their position. 2. Many teams are waking up to a new reality of working remotely. 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. On beach day, participants post virtual backgrounds of tropical locations and sip mock mai tais. How to be a good coworker and leader during this crisis. 2022 Tous droits rservs. Here's what you might be missing- employee appreciation ideas. During this time, one team member has 60 minutes to talk about their favorite subject while others listen and ask questions. Ask each person to share one word to describe how they are feeling in. Help make kindness the norm at school, home and work by using the links below! The intensive schedule prevents routine responsibilities from interrupting the fun, and permits employees to focus on recharging and team bonding. 1. Employees who want to learn about new tools, techniques, or topics but have less time on their hands will consider it a fabulous opportunity. Here are some ideas that seem newly relevant given the constraints of 2020 and beyond. Mention about their desirable quirks like always being on time or such. Half of the box contained things like hand sanitizer, gloves, masks, and other health-related products to help us stay safe. Celebrating employee birthdays never gets old. 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. Attempt a self portrait with pencil and paper. 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. 3 Ways Tech Company Sysomos Transformed Employee Experience, 5 Tips to Implement Summer Work Schedules, 6 Design Ideas to Create an Inspiring Work Environment. Use virtual coffee breaks to: Limit e-mail, insteaduse real-time, in person communication tools such as Skype, Zoom, etc., or even the old fashioned phone. This peer-to-peer employee recognition idea is about encouraging everyone from the organization to recognize good work. We safeguard your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about virtual spirit weeks. Once the awards end, you can email digital certificates and e-gift cards to recipients, or mail trophies and paper awards to their houses. Then, have one attendee lead the class, or screen share a video routine. 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. 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. If your crew would rather perform just for fun, then end the show by giving participants a well-deserved round of virtual applause. Also, it doesnt have to be expensive. Give your entire team a chance to express their creativity with baby pumpkins, acrylic paints, and free pumpkin stencils. Look at yourself in the mirror. One idea that keeps popping up on our Principal Life Facebook group is the concept of a virtual theme week. Its a really cool way to connect with your coworkers and find out more about their life outside of work. E-Learning is the preferred modern way to upskill and learn while having the convenience of choosing the when and where. 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. It doesnt have to be cocktail focused. Gift cards allow people to purchase whatever they want from their favorite brands. Here is our take on enhancing employee motivation with the below 33 exceptional employee appreciation ideas. This activity won't cause too much distraction or mess. Vantage Circle. 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. 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! Get the latest news from Namely about HR, Payroll, and Benefits. 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. The best way to decorate virtual offices is by using virtual meeting backgrounds. They take place using video call software, online communication platforms, and occasionally social media. Some are great artists, while some spend their time doing charity work. Are your employee motivated to come to work every single day? 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. Companies all over the world are making their operations remote for the first time to combat the spread of the coronavirus. Hear clients' stories and learn how they're building a better workplace with Namely. Pike13 Spirit Week highlights: You will see that a few words of appreciation can do wonders for the workplace. 1. These events help boost company pride. Some ideas for your 30-minute morning check-ins include: One-Word Check-ins. Celebrated on the first Friday in March, it pays homage to each employee's contribution to their company. The Kaiser Family Foundation found . Do it privately-ish. 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. Consider sending your top ten performers off for a day or two at a spa to provide an incentive for continued outstanding performance. However, Slack games offer more flexibility, as teammates can play on their own schedules. But with 29% of Americans reporting that they never drink alcohol, it is time for businesses to think of more inclusive activities. 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. 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. Encourage healthy work-life balance by modeling healthy boundaries around time spent working and time off. But they are the last to leave. Appreciation from one's peers has more significance than from one's manager. Think small bags of chips, cookies, and candy, displayed so employees can. You. We've had a few teams compete in virtual relays, races, or step challenges using free apps to log steps, distance ran/cycled, etc. 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. Credit: HMH Books for Young Readers. When you incorporate social media into your online spirit week scheduling, you make it easier for colleagues to find and friend each other. Mask up. Basically, the idea is to boost morale by giving students a collective silly goal. You can also offer a myriad of health benefits. Their diaries are told in words and. Wool socks, very plushy fleece blankets, playing cards, mugs, etc. They are tasty, convenient, and great for hunger pangs that strike while working. 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). For example, Marvel versus DC Comics, the '60s versus the '70s, or Batman and the Joker. Take a bubble bath (bonus: Add a glass of. When you actually take the time out to get involved with them personally, employees feel that you genuinely care about them. A recent study published in Healthcare Design Magazine revealed that "an extreme break room makeover" at one health facility reduced staff "stress and fatigue.". 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. There are few things that employees feel more love for than an extra day of freedom aside from the weekend. First, create a Slack channel for the games. Names were swapped, wish lists were made, and gifts from small businesses were delivered to friends and families! Here are 10 ideas to consider for your school: 1. The Coronavirus Crisis 9 Ways Schools Will Look Different When (And If) They Reopen 1. You can even use it as a way to support local businesses: We were able to do family meals for our employees. You found our list of unique virtual spirit week ideas. School spirit week is a fun time for everyone to come together and show off their pride. For employees, having access to a mentor can add velocity to the workplace learning curve. The cost of commuting is heavily influenced by the location of the workplace relative to where the employee lives. From open enrollment to building a benefits package, we've got you covered. The purpose of online spirit weeks is to boost employee engagement and morale. Avoid the cafeteria as it can be very distracting. Find out how to attract and retain your employees through their entire lifecycle. To host these virtual workouts, have participants join a Zoom call. Team Norms. There were two main ways we did this: by requiring team members to be vaccinated, and picking a venue that would reduce people's overall exposure. 5. Then, encourage teammates to square off. 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. 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. Check out our list of the best online murder mysteries. 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. Outdoor days are one of the best summer spirit week ideas for work. 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. It can range from conducting regular health check-ups, yoga sessions, dentist appointments, and offering health insurance. Theres nothing quite like desserts and ice cream to alleviate stress. 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. 29. Better still, if this praise comes in front of their team members, colleagues, and peers. Unique SWAG ideas have the power to set your company apart. 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. Clarify expectations, for example, of performance, workflow or performance management. A UK study finds workers job attitudes can be bolstered by allowing them to personalize their office. 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. 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. It can be scheduled ahead of time or impromptu, just like you might invite a team member to grab a coffee with you while walking by their desk. Who doesnt love free food? Make Sure You're COVID Safe. 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. 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. $10 at Amazon. Once the votes are in, book the top ranking classes. High 53F. Employee appreciation is the cornerstone of developing a robust and meaningful workplace culture. In this case they will contribute to providing some structure in an unstructured team situation. Not to mention that birthday parties are an opportunity to appreciate peers. I cannot wait. Themed gift boxes are another popular idea: Were sending winter-y stay-at-home gift boxes. This prevents you from working to the point of hunger and then scrambling to decide what to eat. Instead, health promotion ensures that your staff actually want and like to be at work. 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. Employees should be free to decide where they want to work and when they want to work whenever possible. Streaming service subscriptions. 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. Taking care of your employees' health is the most prominent form of appreciation that you can show. Why not put a reminder in your diary when you plan to finish working? That's why it's vital to spread your actions around multiple methods of transports to appeal to the broadest proportion of your workforce. 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. However, you could include a holiday theme in your virtual spirit week during any time of the year. Being a boss, every positive word from you will act as a huge morale booster for your employees. Another good team-building activity is a virtual workshop or workout class. Recommended Article: Top 102 Employee Recognition Quotes To Celebrate Their Endeavours. Hand Sanitizers. Even a simple gesture like an appreciation message or thoughtful gifts on valentines Day or anniversaries can make a huge difference. 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. 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 . Have regular check ins with individual team members. Wed all ooooh and ahhh, and laugh. But providing a good employee experience is the future. Thoughtful ways to build community and pride. Virtual spirit week ideas are ways to celebrate the occasion with remote teams. The tours could happen on a single day, or throughout the week. Remote teammates work together to crack clues and conquer brain teasers before time runs out. Following recommendations from the CDC, we've put together some helpful guide to navigating Christmas during Covid this year. A lot. Its been close to two months since the World Health Organization declared the spread of the novel coronavirus an official pandemic. From digital marketing to online delivery services, there are several needs that the pandemic has sparked among consumers. Book an Airbnb virtual experience. Team members can challenge each other voluntarily. We gathered the top employee morale tips, tricks, and ideas from businesses around the world. Moreover, you can drop an appreciation mail to the employees so that it stays with them forever. Without a doubt, getting a specially curated box of snacks will make employees feel happy and contented. Simply post a different game or prompt on the company social channels every day, and instruct employees to respond using a special hashtag. 4. To make your company memorable in a sea of forgettable mugs. To host a virtual talent show, invite teammates to sign up for slots. If you can get outside to walk, studies have shown that a brisk walk can make you feel . Not to mention, care packages add a tactile element to your all-online spirit week. Food has a way of being a catalyst to bring people together. But while you're indoors, there's no reason you can't explore your fun and creative side. The author's views are entirely his or her own (excluding the unlikely event of hypnosis) and may not always reflect the views of Moz. Hosting online costume contests is one of the best spirit week dress up ideas for work. Are they excited to be working for you? Recommended Article: 50 Best Words of Appreciation for Employees. To host an online award show, first create award categories. Getting your workplace ready in case COVID-19 arrives in your community. Plus, we decided there will be a prize for the tallest sunflower, so it's turning into quite the competition. - Rose Jinks, Digital PR Specialist at Online Mortgage Advisor, As a way to boost morale and encourage teamwork while were apart, my company has been hosting virtual trivia nights every week.