After your holiday meal, go on a virtual group walk through your respective neighborhoods to work off the food. This amazing app pairs the blind and visually impaired with volunteers via a video call in order to assist with everyday tasks (think reading a recipe on the back of a box or selecting a . Video game consoles. 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. Full coverage and live updates on the Coronavirus, This is a BETA experience. Not my cup of tea but a lot of people seemed to like it! Some good virtual spirit week ideas include virtual talent shows, Zoom spirit week backgrounds, online award shows, and theme days. Some "lush" couches. Usually at this time of year, my inbox fills up with questions about company holiday parties: How many drinks are OK to have there? Get Competitive. Adults need 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity activity such as brisk walking for health benefits. "Everyone meet promptly at 5:30 p.m., and line up your cars by the parking lot next to my house," instructed the texts sent out by Amanda Perez, staff member and University of Miami School of Communication graduate student, and her mother, Wendy Perez. You can celebrate the spirit of a challenge in your Spirit Week by hosting a Versus Day. Vantage Circle. From theme days to care packages to costume contests, here is a list of fun ways to celebrate spirit weeks in remote offices. Just to say hi and check how they are doing. If you can get outside to walk, studies have shown that a brisk walk can make you feel . Consider sending your top ten performers off for a day or two at a spa to provide an incentive for continued outstanding performance. It offers employees a brief respite from their daily work. If you work in an industry where teamwork is crucial, sudden orders to . COVID-19 is expected to last for many months, with a potential resurgence in the fall. Talking about making employees feel valued, a great way to do so is by involving them in the decision-making process, wherever possible. This helps your employees feel appreciated on an ongoing basis. Aside from regular appreciation, you can ensure that your employees feel valued on important occasions, such as by sending Thanksgiving messages to employees. These small everyday gestures can come off as a pleasant surprise and make employees feel valued. Appreciation from one's peers has more significance than from one's manager. Moreover, you can drop an appreciation mail to the employees so that it stays with them forever. Getty Images/PeopleImages. 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! Next, check our our list of ideas to celebrate Pride at work, online fun Friday ideas, and intern orientation activities. 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. Keep Little Hands Busy. Teammates can vote using the poll feature in your video meeting platform, and you can send the winner a prize. Yet now is a time when communication actually needs to be ramped up. 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. There's a lot you can do to be helpful from home. by HR professionals across the globe! 2. 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. Wed all ooooh and ahhh, and laugh. Recommended Case Study: Indias Largest Telecom Company Boosts their Global Employee Engagement with Vantage Rewards. Wishing you and your team health and tranquility. In this case they will contribute to providing some structure in an unstructured team situation. 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. Every company has got one of these employees. Participate in the Boost Educators Challenge Encourage each student's family to challenge the rest of your school's families to give their teacher (s) a shout out or thank you over the school's social channels. About how his/her contributions have aided to a projects successful completion. It is easier than ever to show your appreciation from the monthly Netflix fix to news and magazines. In uncertain times, one thing is certain with fundraisingthe more you plan, the better off you will be. To set the mood, you can encourage attendees to dress up and don fancy virtual backgrounds. Simply gear each day's activities around a particular topic. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the federal government (OSHA) has provided detailed guidelinesfor workplace safety policies. 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. For example, share with team members how you will be leading, how you will check in with them, what you will be asking about. Revamp your break room. From relaxing countryside walks to exciting challenges, your staff will have the time of their lives. You can arrange for office taxis or subsidized bus fares so that commute becomes a tad bit easier on their pockets. Hand Sanitizers. A great employee appreciation idea that gives day-to-day benefits is providing assigned parking spaces. So, whether you're paired up or have something in the works, here are 20 ideas to safely celebrate Valentine's Day during coronavirus. 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. After all, who doesn't like a couple of free snacks? Virtual talent shows work best when there is a predetermined act order and an emcee to manage the flow. You could even include dessert decorating packs, tasting assortments, or craft kits. Shared items such a candy jars, cereal boxes, and containers of nuts should be removed for the safety of all workers. Walking not only counts as physical activity, but also provides some mental health benefits. Companies all over the world are making their operations remote for the first time to combat the spread of the coronavirus. You can even display this social media recognition on your offices digital displays to make sure the whole team sees it. 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. However, you could include a holiday theme in your virtual spirit week during any time of the year. For inspiration, check out our lists of online cooking classes and online art classes. Employee appreciation is meant to make the workplace feel a little bit like home. Company-branded swag can be simple everyday things like t-shirts, mugs, or even pen drives. The key is making exercise a daily priority, and the holidays are no different. Celebrated on the first Friday in March, it pays homage to each employee's contribution to their company. Their diaries are told in words and. Virtual spirit weeks are weeklong events that consist of a series of fun and interactive online activities. Our division is doing a holiday drive-in movie and renting out a drive-in theater for the evening. Your employees are amazing people with undisclosed talents. For example, hold a Zoom ugly sweater contest, host a virtual Secret Santa or white elephant gift exchange, and sing Christmas carols. Throwing a virtual holiday party is one of the best Christmas spirit week ideas for work. Celebrating employee birthdays never gets old. You can even use it as a way to support local businesses: We were able to do family meals for our employees. These events can help virtual offices grow closer. I hope this article has in some small way helped your and your teams trek through this extraordinary time. After face masks, custom hand sanitizers are the next health and safety giveaway idea on our list. Even after COVID-19, hand sanitizers are a welcomed gift, no matter your customer base or your business. Get the latest news from Namely about HR, payroll, and benefits. This will allow team members to truly appreciate each other, leading to better team building. Hands-on Experiences: 1. 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. Online retreats are company gatherings that take place online. These activities broaden employees global and cultural horizons while also delighting the teams travel lovers. 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. Encourage healthy work-life balance by modeling healthy boundaries around time spent working and time off. They had a selection that included non-alcoholic mixes too (like a ginger lemonade). If your crew would rather perform just for fun, then end the show by giving participants a well-deserved round of virtual applause. Develop team norms. 1. You get the best effort from others, not by lighting a fire beneath them but by building a fire within. 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. 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. The Kaiser Family Foundation found . 2022 Alle rechten voorbehouden. Another good team-building activity is a virtual workshop or workout class. Also, of the cocktails on offer, there were a few non-alcoholic punch ideas, for people who dont drink or who wanted to share with a kid, etc. Theres nothing quite like desserts and ice cream to alleviate stress. When showtime arrives, gather on a Zoom call. 2020 Namely, Inc. All rights reserved. Even a small gesture like a "thank you" goes a long way to boost productivity, increase performance and improve morale among the workforce. You can take the first step in promoting the importance of health. 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. 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. Spirit week shakes up the normal routine and gives dispersed teammates a chance to get together and have fun. 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. Sometimes, the utmost appreciation that an employee seeks is a promotion in his job role. Chances are, your company has one too. Its been close to two months since the World Health Organization declared the spread of the novel coronavirus an official pandemic. The best thing about birthdays is cake. 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. We have 30+ experiences to choose from, and thousands of five star reviews. You found our list of unique virtual spirit week ideas. Outdoor days are one of the best summer spirit week ideas for work. Everything you need to build a better workplace. 1. You might find that employee appreciation becomes a tad bit easier and a whole lot more fun. No, not the executive lunchroom. 32. Unique SWAG ideas have the power to set your company apart. 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. 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. Clear your schedule for at least an hour. 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. From open enrollment to building a benefits package, we've got you covered. You. Themed dress-up days are popular favorites, but they're really just the start. 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. Humans have an inherent need to get appreciated for their work. I write about how to improve team and leadership performance. It might sound cliche, but small courtesies like a boss saying thank you to the team members can make a huge difference. Here are 15 office ideas for Halloween: 1. 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. We are doing a virtual chocolate tasting with my team. Were hearing from some people that while its not for everyone, having three hours on a Friday afternoon to do something fun together is really appreciated so were providing it for those who like/need it. Not to mention that birthday parties are an opportunity to appreciate peers. It might sound kind of silly, but when the right company SWAG is used- it can have a big impact on building a positive workplace culture. 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. 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. In turn, healthier employees produce better results for their companies. (Source: Team Vantage Circle's Day Excursion). 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. And encouraging a cake culture can never be a bad thing. Not to mention, care packages add a tactile element to your all-online spirit week. But with 29% of Americans reporting that they never drink alcohol, it is time for businesses to think of more inclusive activities. A recent study published in Healthcare Design Magazine revealed that "an extreme break room makeover" at one health facility reduced staff "stress and fatigue.". 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 . Simply designate a theme for each day or meeting, then choose the best dressed for each category. For example, theme days, virtual talent shows, and costume contests. For instance, on sports day, staff can wear jerseys, square off in competitive games, and participate in an online pep rally. Participants can either perform alone, or collaborate with colleagues on a group act. A viral photo with suggestions for "Homeschool Spirit Week" has been circling social media. We made an example virtual spirit week agenda: Creating a visually appealing spirit week announcement can help your crew be more excited and attentive towards the event. But they are the last to leave. Wellness Resources Why not recognize these incredible non-work achievements in front of their peers? Everything is impacted by COVID-19 in some way, including our work. Want to enhance employee morale while improving productivity and boosting creativity? Or take a field trip to the local entertainment venue. The cost of commuting is heavily influenced by the location of the workplace relative to where the employee lives. With most schools and districts shut down for the foreseeable future, many faculty and teachers are struggling to find ways to connect with their students. Then, encourage teammates to square off. Names were swapped, wish lists were made, and gifts from small businesses were delivered to friends and families! 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. The team that plays together bonds better. How to be a good coworker and leader during this crisis. The charm of subscription boxes is that theres something for everyone! Spirit week is a week-long event that promotes company pride and employee engagement through fun activities. Consider downloading a fitness app with curated workout playlists. Themed gift boxes are another popular idea: Were sending winter-y stay-at-home gift boxes. Unorthodox corporate perks such as trips to hike near a volcano or dive with dolphins are an increasingly powerful way to attract, retain and motivate top talent. But providing a good employee experience is the future. Although workplace benefits help keep employees happy, they rarely tend to spark inspiration. Trivia leaders can create questions and teams can decide on their favorite themes or trivia topics. Harvard Business Review reports that "the most impactful driver of employee engagement is recognition.". Sending care packages to your remote teams builds buzz for the event and lets your employees know you care about them. The purpose of online spirit weeks is to boost employee engagement and morale. Then, send invites to the team. Some ideas include: Characters from a favorite movie For example, Marvel versus DC Comics, the '60s versus the '70s, or Batman and the Joker. Get the resources. Be Intentional About Communications It's crucial that leaders don't get sucked into the. Book an Airbnb virtual experience. Plentiful sunshine. Take a bubble bath (bonus: Add a glass of. The chocolate tasting person is mailing out the tasting kits to all of us and will lead us through the tasting via Zoom. Check out our list of the best online murder mysteries. Gathering via video call and online communication platforms gives groups a chance to relax, re-energize, and reconnect with teammates. 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. Declaring theme days is one of the easiest spirit week ideas for work from home. Recommended Article: Gift Cards Make For The Perfect Employee Rewards. A crisis like this can either break ateamdown and widen any cracks in its foundation, or it canresult in the emergence of true greatness. E-Learning is the preferred modern way to upskill and learn while having the convenience of choosing the when and where. Employees who want to learn about new tools, techniques, or topics but have less time on their hands will consider it a fabulous opportunity. But heres the thing. Thus, make it easier for team members to congratulate each other on a job well done. Make it a fun and memorable experience. Employee Appreciation Day is a semi-formal holiday in the United States. Promoting health is no longer seen as an initiative that yields 'soft' results. The best way to decorate virtual offices is by using virtual meeting backgrounds. Want to submit a guest post? One-Word Check-ins. I also hired a local small business to make some custom iced cookies for us. 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. 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. Pike13 Spirit Week highlights: Elaine has in-depth knowledge of digital, social, and websites both from a strategic and user . Attempt a self portrait with pencil and paper. Learn how to set new boundaries, ask for support, and re-strategize with your partner about what you need. Reward employees with a token or gift of appreciation from your side. Give your entire team a chance to express their creativity with baby pumpkins, acrylic paints, and free pumpkin stencils. Also, it doesnt have to be expensive. Social Media is the biggest influencer of our generation. Each act should be around five minutes. All contents 2023 The Slate Group LLC. Ask each person to share one word to describe how they are feeling in that moment. 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. We safeguard your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy. 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. First, either mail employees tea and fancy snacks, or ask attendees to bring their own refreshments and reimburse them for the expense. 2022 Todos los derechos reservados. Starting a business during COVID-19 may seem impossible, but these 15 types of businesses can help you launch a business and even help others during the pandemic. Remote team games like holiday Bingo, trivia, and scavenger hunts get guests moving and invoke the holiday spirit. You may opt-out by. Some are great artists, while some spend their time doing charity work. 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. Once the votes are in, book the top ranking classes. A dynamic host facilitates this 90 minute virtual team building event with a trusty virtual sidekick. An escape room Escape room activities are available virtually and in person. Photos by Getty Images Plus. To keep our employees motivated, we are encouraging and hosting virtual social time. Illustration by Supriya Kalidas. Why not put a reminder in your diary when you plan to finish working? But employees with a few years of experience should be matched with a career mentor to help them grow in their position. 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. The disease is extremely contagious, yet many infected people are asymptomatic, and patterns of transmission are not always clear. Getting your workplace ready in case COVID-19 arrives in your community. Here's what you might be missing- employee appreciation ideas. Considering the health boosts, climbing aboard a two wheeler for exercise is easy on your joints, for one, as your weight rests on your pelvis and not your legs. Virtual tea parties are calm yet quirky online events to hold with remote teams. 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). Coffee or tea tastings work as well: We had a virtual coffee tasting where they sent those who RSVP'd a free AeroPress and. Or it just might be a beautiful day to sleep in. It definitely is the easiest and quickest Zoom icebreaker out there. 3 Ways Tech Company Sysomos Transformed Employee Experience, 5 Tips to Implement Summer Work Schedules, 6 Design Ideas to Create an Inspiring Work Environment. Online Office Games is a friendly competition for remote teammates. More than a manager, an employee's peers are more likely to know about their good qualities. Declaring theme days is one of the easiest spirit week ideas for work from home. Now more than ever, we need to lean on each other for support. 1. Give a prize to the two team members who wear the most well-thought . It is working together that will get us through this time. Or, if you hold virtual escape rooms or similar games, then include puzzles. Virtual Breakout Rooms are ideal for teams that need to brush up on their collaboration, problem-solving, and creative thinking skills. One of the best ideas for spirit care packages is to pack supplementary materials for the weeks activities. We have these events called campfires that take place twice a week. 2022 Todos os direitos reservados. Some leaders consistently interact with those they most easily connect with but may not as readily think of others. 6. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your team is to enable them to let off some steam without the pressure to perform. You can also make sure you take at least a 30-minute lunch break. Home tours are a fun way for remote teammates to invite each other into personal spaces. Support families to. 31. It is a good idea to vary the class types and levels so that more team members can participate. There are few things that employees feel more love for than an extra day of freedom aside from the weekend. 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. To begin with, publicly recognizing great employees reflects well on your company for customers, investors, and your team. In times of isolation it can be very difficult to stay on top of where everyone is at. We've had a few teams compete in virtual relays, races, or step challenges using free apps to log steps, distance ran/cycled, etc.