Plus, the posts are a great way to advertise your companys culture to a wider audience. In stock now. Not to mention there's the option of booking an entertainer - choices include singer Jimmy Barnes and comedy duo Hamish and Andy - to spice up a webcam-based party. To keep our employees motivated, we are encouraging and hosting virtual social time. To truly show your employees that they are doing a great job, bring in some fun office traditions like "Taco Tuesday.". Find out how to shape a culture that attracts, engages, Virtual spirit weeks bolster team resolve and brightens telecommuters moods. From year-end reporting to employee paystubs, check out these payroll tips and tricks. Attempt a self portrait with pencil and paper. 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. See: How Indoor Ventilation Systems Can Help Prevent or Permit the Spread of COVID-19 . Whats the Word on The Street? On beach day, participants post virtual backgrounds of tropical locations and sip mock mai tais. Now 48% Off. Thoughtful ways to build community and pride. Your objectives for the meeting will be to: Note: This is not a meeting to be rushed. Virtual Breakout Rooms are ideal for teams that need to brush up on their collaboration, problem-solving, and creative thinking skills. 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. Remote teams can dress up for remote meetings, even if their outfits wont be on display all day. My Boss Loves Planning an Elaborate Holiday Extravaganza. Some good virtual spirit week ideas include virtual talent shows, Zoom spirit week backgrounds, online award shows, and theme days. Throughout the evening or afternoon, read awards off one by one, and give each winner 30 seconds to give a victory speech. Spirit week attendees can either make their own backgrounds using Canva or Photoshop, or can download one from online. Wed have the holiday party on Zoom, where folks would open what they had received from their gift giver. 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. 1. No, not the executive lunchroom. We All Hate It. When you incorporate social media into your online spirit week scheduling, you make it easier for colleagues to find and friend each other. Every year there are days we look forward to. Look at yourself in the mirror. 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 . Breakout rooms enable guests to have more intimate conversations, so that no attendee feels like an observer. An escape room Escape room activities are available virtually and in person. Many of us now look forward to Mondays because of these hilarious crosswords! 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. Halloween is the time of year when employees can showcase their creativity and interact with coworkers they may not normally work closely with. But we must also address the negative impact of isolation loneliness, fatigue or even . Host fun team games to play with your team members. SWAG stands for "stuff we all get." Dress-up days find a niche at busy offices; employees can show up in costume but still get tons of work done. 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. The week before your work at home spirit week, mail boxes full of goodies to team members. Ask each person to share one word to describe how they are feeling in. Employees should be free to decide where they want to work and when they want to work whenever possible. The events should also not take too long to do. 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. Also, they grow more motivated to maintain or improve their good work. A team lunch is a great way through which everyone can bond with each other and with you. So far, people have hosted presentations on their favorite hobby, sports team, family, the country they come from, favorite food, favorite lockdown activity, etc. 2020 Namely, Inc. All rights reserved. I also personally feel that it's boosting my wellbeing and brightening my day. You will see that a few words of appreciation can do wonders for the workplace. Even after COVID-19, hand sanitizers are a welcomed gift, no matter your customer base or your business. For our workers who have never worked from home, social isolation is deeply felt. 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. Learn how to set new boundaries, ask for support, and re-strategize with your partner about what you need. Instead of taking the stage, performers share their acts during a video call. When showtime arrives, gather on a Zoom call. Talking about making employees feel valued, a great way to do so is by involving them in the decision-making process, wherever possible. Let the kids pick out a book and read it to them while . The tours could happen on a single day, or throughout the week. Vantage Circle. Also, remember to turn your phone off. Half of the box contained things like hand sanitizer, gloves, masks, and other health-related products to help us stay safe. The thing that giants like Google and Airbnb have understood is that the physical environment of the office matters. First, choose a date and send a video meeting link to your colleagues. You might feel anxious about: Your own safety and the safety of others. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about virtual spirit weeks. Here is our take on enhancing employee motivation with the below 33 exceptional employee appreciation ideas. Between the confetti, balloons, and cake, office birthday parties are always fun to organize. The best online spirit week ideas unite dispersed teammates, encourage interaction, and inspire fun. In order to position your company as one where people really want to work, your company SWAG items had better reflect that. Promoting health is no longer seen as an initiative that yields 'soft' results. So, whether you're paired up or have something in the works, here are 20 ideas to safely celebrate Valentine's Day during coronavirus. Many teams are waking up to a new reality of working remotely. Trivia leaders can create questions and teams can decide on their favorite themes or trivia topics. You may experience anxiety during the coronavirus pandemic if you have to go into work. InDirect Report, she spotlights themes from her inbox that help explain the modern workplace and how we could be navigating it better. 2. Online Office Games is a friendly competition for remote teammates. Working from home can be challenging. Bring in a songwriter, band, or comedian to perform at your workplace. Research says that the primary cause of employees leaving their jobs is the lack of appreciation. Regardless of your age, some physical activity is better than none. Therefore it's a win-win situation. This is a great way to begin your team meetings. Namely's powerful HR Software is built for mid-sized companies designed to be used by everyone, every day. For inspiration, check out our lists of online cooking classes and online art classes. Team Norms. Real world elements make virtual exercises more engaging and interactive. 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. 2022 Todos los derechos reservados. Inject Fun and Humor. 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. If you have to be indoors, consider air flow. Get Chinese food somewhere. Virtual workout or meditation classes. 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. You can take the first step in promoting the importance of health. It doesnt have to be cocktail focused. 32. The Kaiser Family Foundation found . Petit fours, miniature cupcakes, and macarons are the best tea party desserts, and finger sandwiches are another staple. Simmonds was blown away by . For example, new employees should receive a buddy to learn the ropes. 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. This will make them feel like a part of your business and not just a mere employee. It becomes less of a break and more of a disappointment. 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. Also, they give continuous optimal performance. Its common knowledge that people love gift cards. Whether they worked late to get the job done, blew past their sales goal, or volunteering at a local shelter, give employees the credit they deserve. There's a lot you can do to be helpful from home. 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. 2. One of the simplest and most popular solutions has been virtual happy hours. If you developed team norms to stay on top of (as above), then ensure you check-in on them. Check out our list of the best online murder mysteries. Wool socks, very plushy fleece blankets, playing cards, mugs, etc. This prevents you from working to the point of hunger and then scrambling to decide what to eat. Finally going on a picnic with their loved ones. Celebrated on the first Friday in March, it pays homage to each employee's contribution to their company. Want to submit a guest post? I cannot wait. Photo illustration by Slate. In this case they will contribute to providing some structure in an unstructured team situation. Put up fun office anecdotes on the bulletin board. Following recommendations from the CDC, we've put together some helpful guide to navigating Christmas during Covid this year. Vantage Circle. Do the bragging on behalf of your employees, and show your whole team how fantastic everyone is. 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. Players square off in trivia challenges, lightning scavenger hunts, and a listening/drawing game called Can You Hear Me Now? A charismatic host keeps score while keeping teams energy and spirits high. The other half consisted of beer (or non-alcoholic drinks), snacks, tea, and homemade salsa. Typical activities include theme days, costume contests, and online parties. Some employees even showcased their talents liveranging from musical performances to cake baking to cat training. Throwing a virtual holiday party is one of the best Christmas spirit week ideas for work. We also have a list of the best remote team outing ideas. 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. Some ideas for your 30-minute morning check-ins include: One-Word Check-ins. 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. 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. We've had a few teams compete in virtual relays, races, or step challenges using free apps to log steps, distance ran/cycled, etc. Before the . Children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years need at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity daily. We also had a really strict limit for spending, like $20. Remote teammates work together to crack clues and conquer brain teasers before time runs out. The games last 90 minutes, giving remote colleagues plenty of time to bond and have fun together. We gathered the top employee morale tips, tricks, and ideas from businesses around the world. I am a big believer in team norms which support the team in self managing behaviors, practices and performance. Who doesnt love free food? Distance does not have to put a damper on the fun. COVID-19 is expected to last for many months, with a potential resurgence in the fall. 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. Food has a way of being a catalyst to bring people together. To set the mood, encourage participants to put up virtual backgrounds of Victorian parlors or lush gardens. You can even use it as a way to support local businesses: We were able to do family meals for our employees. Recommended Case Study: Indias Largest Telecom Company Boosts their Global Employee Engagement with Vantage Rewards. Yet now is a time when communication actually needs to be ramped up. After the bartender presentation (which was short) everybody got to chat and enjoy their drinks for some time before saying goodbye. This year, the questions are quite different, and nearly all are some variation of What do we even do for the holidays in a pandemic? Many employers are simply canceling holiday celebrations, since theres no way to safely gather. Feel free to customize it with your companys logos. You. Your employees are amazing people with undisclosed talents. Streaming service subscriptions. Declaring theme days is one of the easiest spirit week ideas for work from home. Everyone had a week to practice and record their talents before we all watched them together during a special All Hands meeting. 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!). For more tournament ideas, check out our list of Slack games. WeAreTeachers Staff on September 20, 2022. Themed gift boxes are another popular idea: Were sending winter-y stay-at-home gift boxes. Recommended Article: 23 Awesome Ways To Make Every Employee Work Anniversary Memorable. Coffee and Chocolate Tastings It doesn't have to be cocktail focused. The benefit of virtual dress up days is that employees can don elaborate costumes without worrying about travel, comfort, or attracting strange stares in Starbucks. There are few things that employees feel more love for than an extra day of freedom aside from the weekend. Employees thrive at work when they know their contributions have meaning. Just beware of overdosing on sugar. Hear clients' stories and learn how they're building a better workplace with Namely. But when you thank them for their efforts, it can be a heart-melting moment to inspire respect for you and the business. Participants can either perform alone, or collaborate with colleagues on a group act. They are tasty, convenient, and great for hunger pangs that strike while working. Slate is published by The Slate Group, a Graham Holdings Company. $10 at Amazon. These activities also make great spring spirit week ideas for work. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your team is to enable them to let off some steam without the pressure to perform. Get to know your employees and find out what they like so you can give gift cards that are tailored to their interests. It can range from conducting regular health check-ups, yoga sessions, dentist appointments, and offering health insurance. To host a virtual talent show, invite teammates to sign up for slots. -Bob Nelson, In the United States, 20,000 workers were surveyed by the Boston Consulting Group. Outdoor days are one of the best summer spirit week ideas for work. Whats Really So Wrong About Secretly Working Two Full-Time Jobs at Once? 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. They are great team members. Keeping a workplace safe during the COVID-19 pandemic can be challenging. More than a manager, an employee's peers are more likely to know about their good qualities. Then, plan festive activities to enjoy together during the call. Employees respond to appreciation expressed by recognizing their good work because it confirms that their work is valued by others. During the call, participants can chat and play fun games, or co-work while enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. 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 . It is easier than ever to show your appreciation from the monthly Netflix fix to news and magazines. Teammates can select a different background for each meeting or theme day, and can even swap backgrounds multiple times per call. Either way, ask participants to record results by posting them to the channel in a @WIN/@LOSS format. This article is written by Barasha Medhi who is a part of the marketing team at Vantage Circle. Sometimes, the utmost appreciation that an employee seeks is a promotion in his job role. Some ideas include: Characters from a favorite movie To help your employees stay active and get a break from working inside, suggest that they take conference calls that don't require sitting in front of a screen outdoors. The consulting group McKinsey & Co. surveyed 1,000 employers , and 90 percent reported that the pandemic was affecting the behavioral health of their employees. Why not recognize these incredible non-work achievements in front of their peers? 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. Wed all ooooh and ahhh, and laugh. We safeguard your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Everyone can be a film critic and talk about how much they love or hate what we're watching. - Jess Guffey, Brand Partnerships at Design Pickle, To stay connected with our colleagues and support local economies at the same time, our company decided to launch Support Santa, a Secret Santa-inspired gift swap. When the class arrives, learn together, and be sure to snap plenty of screenshots. 3 Ways Tech Company Sysomos Transformed Employee Experience, 5 Tips to Implement Summer Work Schedules, 6 Design Ideas to Create an Inspiring Work Environment. If you are looking to reward your employees with a little something extra. Take a bubble bath (bonus: Add a glass of. Get Competitive. You get the best effort from others, not by lighting a fire beneath them but by building a fire within. 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. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Legal. to Launch During a Pandemic. Offering them a handsome salary is one aspect. Virtual spirit week ideas are ways to celebrate the occasion with remote teams. For instance, take their opinion during decisions like on-boarding new technology or a specific project. Superhero Academy is equal parts fun, intellectual, and competitive. Recognizing hard work and achievement in the workplace increase employee morale, encourage healthy competition, and creates a positive atmosphere.