You can take the first step in promoting the importance of health. When you actually take the time out to get involved with them personally, employees feel that you genuinely care about them. First, give teammates a few options for online courses and ask them to vote for their favorite. The lobby at Googles Sydney office makes visitors feel like theyre about to embark on a safari expedition rather than drown in a concrete jungle. 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. Make sure you exchange emails with a volunteer coordinator or call before you . I also personally feel that it's boosting my wellbeing and brightening my day. Superhero Academy is equal parts fun, intellectual, and competitive. COVID-19 is expected to last for many months, with a potential resurgence in the fall. Paint Pumpkins. Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best ones. It is working together that will get us through this time. 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. How to be a good coworker and leader during this crisis. Many a time, they'll bring that positivity and enthusiasm back to the workplace. But there is one occasion that should be praised with the same level of spirit and vigor as the restthe work anniversary. Virtual tea parties are calm yet quirky online events to hold with remote teams. Vantage Circle. 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. Be sure to grab plenty of screen shots throughout the afternoon or evening. I write about how to improve team and leadership performance. 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!). Meetings and frequent check-ins both with the whole team and individual team members need to sit at the top of your to-do list. Then, encourage teammates to square off. 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. First, create a Slack channel for the games. 1. Perhaps the best gift to give your employees is recognizing your employees publicly for a great job done. He expressed that business leaders need to develop a structured and approach to mentoring. 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. Learn more: 25 Employee Recognition Statistics You Shouldn't Ignore. From digital marketing to online delivery services, there are several needs that the pandemic has sparked among consumers. (Source: Team Vantage Circle's Day Excursion). 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 . Now more than ever, we need to lean on each other for support. According to Harvard Business Review writer Anthony K. TJan: Company leadership should embrace, promote and value mentoring programs to realize a return on investment. It definitely is the easiest and quickest Zoom icebreaker out there. Explore them here: On Fridays, our team puts on ridiculous outfits to make each other laugh during virtual meetings. 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. Another good team-building activity is a virtual workshop or workout class. Ventilation and air circulation are your friends. More than a manager, an employee's peers are more likely to know about their good qualities. Their diaries are told in words and. Online escape rooms are online versions of thematic puzzle-solving games. The Coronavirus Crisis 9 Ways Schools Will Look Different When (And If) They Reopen 1. 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. One employee's commute could be inexpensive, while for another, it could be prohibitive. When showtime arrives, gather on a Zoom call. 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. Most employees love to learn, and taking a virtual class together is a terrific spirit week idea. Coffee and Chocolate Tastings It doesn't have to be cocktail focused. Virtual workout or meditation classes. Declaring theme days is one of the easiest spirit week ideas for work from home. Your objectives for the meeting will be to: Note: This is not a meeting to be rushed. Remote teammates work together to crack clues and conquer brain teasers before time runs out. Part of the fun of spirit week is pretending, and murder mysteries cast participants in the roles of cunning detectives. Trivia leaders can create questions and teams can decide on their favorite themes or trivia topics. Do it privately-ish. Then, plan festive activities to enjoy together during the call. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your team is to enable them to let off some steam without the pressure to perform. Typical activities include theme days, costume contests, and online parties. Find ways to start each day with positive energy and a sense of community. Celebrated on the first Friday in March, it pays homage to each employee's contribution to their company. 3 Ways Tech Company Sysomos Transformed Employee Experience, 5 Tips to Implement Summer Work Schedules, 6 Design Ideas to Create an Inspiring Work Environment. Priorities. Promoting health is no longer seen as an initiative that yields 'soft' results. 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. From theme days to care packages to costume contests, here is a list of fun ways to celebrate spirit weeks in remote offices. Many of us now look forward to Mondays because of these hilarious crosswords! A recent study published in Healthcare Design Magazine revealed that "an extreme break room makeover" at one health facility reduced staff "stress and fatigue.". Companies all over the world are making their operations remote for the first time to combat the spread of the coronavirus. For any related queries, contact editor@vantagecircle.com. During this time, one team member has 60 minutes to talk about their favorite subject while others listen and ask questions. We safeguard your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy. They take place using video call software, online communication platforms, and occasionally social media. Reading a book on the sofa is a cozy way to get in the Christmas spirit. 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. Have regular check ins with individual team members. For inspiration, check out our lists of online cooking classes and online art classes. While employee appreciation may seem a bit heavy on the pockets, the bottom line is that it will lead to several long-term benefits. The effectiveness of office snacks is that major companies like Google use them as a perk to attract the top employees. Working from home can be lonely and mundane. 2. Take off your coat. A crisis like this can either break ateamdown and widen any cracks in its foundation, or it canresult in the emergence of true greatness. From open enrollment to building a benefits package, we've got you covered. You may experience anxiety during the coronavirus pandemic if you have to go into work. Ive gotten a lot of reports of teams doing remote crafting sessions togetheroften around seasonal themes, like gingerbread houses: Our office is planning two optional events. I cannot wait. Team Norms. 6. Everything is impacted by COVID-19 in some way, including our work. Team members can challenge each other voluntarily. Theyve asked us what charities wed recommend. Everything you need to build a better workplace. Wishing you and your team health and tranquility. 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. Simply designate a theme for each day or meeting, then choose the best dressed for each category. The consulting group McKinsey & Co. surveyed 1,000 employers , and 90 percent reported that the pandemic was affecting the behavioral health of their employees. Talking about making employees feel valued, a great way to do so is by involving them in the decision-making process, wherever possible. Support families to. Regardless of your age, some physical activity is better than none. This peer-to-peer employee recognition idea is about encouraging everyone from the organization to recognize good work. Thoughtful ways to build community and pride. It is capped at $200 per day, and $2,000 in total, for employees who have a family member affected by COVID-19 or a child staying at home because their school is closed. Hosting online costume contests is one of the best spirit week dress up ideas for work. Just to say hi and check how they are doing. Get the latest news from Namely about HR, payroll, and benefits. Themed gift boxes are another popular idea: Were sending winter-y stay-at-home gift boxes. 33 Amazing Employee Appreciation Ideas [2023 Update], The Ultimate Guide To Employee Rewards and Recognition, 50 Best Words of Appreciation for Employees, Gift Cards Make For The Perfect Employee Rewards, Indias Largest Telecom Company Boosts their Global Employee Engagement with Vantage Rewards, 25 Employee Engagement Activities To Reinvent Your Workforce, 25 Employee Recognition Statistics You Shouldn't Ignore, Top 102 Employee Recognition Quotes To Celebrate Their Endeavours, 23 Awesome Ways To Make Every Employee Work Anniversary Memorable, All You Need To Know About Sales Incentive Programs In 2023, 10 Intrinsic Rewards That Your Employees Look Forward To, Empower the Workforce With A Culture of Peer-to-Peer Recognition. Vantage Circle. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the federal government (OSHA) has provided detailed guidelinesfor workplace safety policies. From relaxing countryside walks to exciting challenges, your staff will have the time of their lives. 5. 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 Town of Wake Forest and the Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department want you to stay safe during the current COVID-19 pandemic by honoring Wake County's stay at home order. Declaring theme days is one of the easiest spirit week ideas for work from home. Attempt a self portrait with pencil and paper. Video game consoles. The best way to decorate virtual offices is by using virtual meeting backgrounds. Many teams are waking up to a new reality of working remotely. Dessert buffets are fun and positively addicting. Everyone had a week to practice and record their talents before we all watched them together during a special All Hands meeting. Explore the challenges people face in working from home (and they will differ) and ideas for dealing with them or sharing personal practices that work. Were all pretty pumped about it. First, either mail employees tea and fancy snacks, or ask attendees to bring their own refreshments and reimburse them for the expense. We also included some essential office supplies to ensure our employees have everything they need to work remotely. - Stuart Cook, Marketing Manager at My Baggage, My company recently delivered a care package to all employees with a mix of fun and useful items. 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. Home tours are a fun way for remote teammates to invite each other into personal spaces. Company retreats are great for celebrating employees after successful project completion or after an outstanding financial year. But while you're indoors, there's no reason you can't explore your fun and creative side. Shared items such a candy jars, cereal boxes, and containers of nuts should be removed for the safety of all workers. 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 . 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. Student Engagement: Spirit Weeks A number of schools and school districts have done weekly challenges where students participate in a themed activity, take a picture or video of it, and then upload and tag it with a specific hashtag so that the community can find, enjoy, and celebrate it with them. It's run by a different division each week to encourage everyone to get involved and has been a fun way to spend a few hoursand a welcome distraction. - Anna Barker, Founder at LogicalDollar, I arranged a remote talent show for our team. Engage in active family play time. 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. Either way, ask participants to record results by posting them to the channel in a @WIN/@LOSS format. 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. Food has a way of being a catalyst to bring people together. By hosting your fundraisers online, you can reach new supporters both near and far from your school without needing to leave your desk. 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. Every company has got one of these employees. Do I really have to go at all? These small everyday gestures can come off as a pleasant surprise and make employees feel valued. You can supplement your on-the-clock remote spirit week activities with fun social media challenges. How to advocate for yourself at work during COVID-19. A dynamic host facilitates this 90 minute virtual team building event with a trusty virtual sidekick. Angela has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and worked as a community manager with Yelp to plan events for businesses. During the call, participants can chat and play fun games, or co-work while enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. You get the best effort from others, not by lighting a fire beneath them but by building a fire within. 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. The knowledge that there is a whole day dedicated to employee appreciation should let you know its significance. For instance, on sports day, staff can wear jerseys, square off in competitive games, and participate in an online pep rally. You will see that a few words of appreciation can do wonders for the workplace. Make it meaningful for the employee so that they cherish it and put in their extra effort. I am going to go out on a limb here to say to you something vital. Snacks are a fantastic food item that doesn't require you to get out of your desk when you want to eat something light. It is easier than ever to show your appreciation from the monthly Netflix fix to news and magazines. I am a big believer in team norms which support the team in self managing behaviors, practices and performance. 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. Take a bubble bath (bonus: Add a glass of. One-Word Check-ins. Then, send invites to the team. When you incorporate social media into your online spirit week scheduling, you make it easier for colleagues to find and friend each other. After the bartender presentation (which was short) everybody got to chat and enjoy their drinks for some time before saying goodbye. Why not see which team has the most steps or ran the furthest distance this week? Get the resources. Offering them a handsome salary is one aspect. 2023 teambuilding.com, all rights reserved | Terms | Privacy, virtual tours of museums, zoos, and parks, list of free virtual team building activities for work, list of the best remote team outing ideas, Post a picture from your first year at the company vs now, Take a screenshot in the unlikeliest Zoom meeting spot, Film a 30-second work from home snack cooking lesson, Dress-up accessories, like sunglasses, boas, and novelty headbands, Create a collaborative world map showing which countries team members have lived in or traveled to, Ask participants to compile top 5 travel bucket lists of the destinations they would most like to visit, and pair up teammates with similar interests for a video chat, Video chat with screen pals in different countries, Compile a photo slideshow of the teams collective travels, Most likely to forget to mute/unmute the mic, Lightning fingers, aka fastest Slack replies, Most likely to binge cat videos during the workday. By planning an online retreat for spirit week, you block out employees time and free staff to enjoy the festivities. Here are list of themes to use for online spirit weeks. Try a subscription box. Plus, you could throw virtual parties for any holiday. There is also the threat of a recession. All online escape rooms inspire teamwork and critical thinking in a fun and exciting way. 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. Wellness Resources Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Teammates can vote using the poll feature in your video meeting platform, and you can send the winner a prize. 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. Book an Airbnb virtual experience. Your employees are amazing people with undisclosed talents. Offering free meals and caffeine is actually a highly effective and cost-effective means of motivating and controlling young employees. 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. Employee appreciation is the cornerstone of developing a robust and meaningful workplace culture. There's a lot you can do to be helpful from home. Should I bring a date? Instead of the usual tables and activities, they had booths set up where treats were handed through the window. Then, have one attendee lead the class, or screen share a video routine. For example, new employees should receive a buddy to learn the ropes. These events can help virtual offices grow closer. Virtual spirit week ideas are ways to celebrate the occasion with remote teams. This activity involves solving puzzles and finding clues to "escape" a themed room. One idea that keeps popping up on our Principal Life Facebook group is the concept of a virtual theme week. Its expensive to recruit a new worker. But they are the last to leave. 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. Gather the kids and create Paper Mice, Halloween skull jewelry, and more. Once the awards end, you can email digital certificates and e-gift cards to recipients, or mail trophies and paper awards to their houses. Simply gear each day's activities around a particular topic. Here are three ways employers can reduce panic and keep employee morale up during the coronavirus outbreak. One of the simplest and most popular solutions has been virtual happy hours. Coronavirus has put a particular national spotlight on unmet needs of the growing older population in our country, and the tens of millions of overstretched family and professional caregivers they . Revamp your break room. School spirit week is a fun time for everyone to come together and show off their pride. Perhaps to no ones surprise, drinking seems to be quite popular this year, and some companies have figured out how to incorporate it into remote events. A UK study finds workers job attitudes can be bolstered by allowing them to personalize their office. To play a murder mystery online, first find a game or script, and then invite teammates to a Zoom meeting to play out the scenario. We've had a few teams compete in virtual relays, races, or step challenges using free apps to log steps, distance ran/cycled, etc. Virtual spirit weeks bolster team resolve and brightens telecommuters moods. Experiences, not cash, are the new corporate bonus. Check out our list ofonline escape rooms. Thus in this scenario, investing in an effective recognition program becomes a critical part of employee engagement. An escape room Escape room activities are available virtually and in person. And amid stay-at-home orders. We are doing a virtual chocolate tasting with my team. We have 30+ experiences to choose from, and thousands of five star reviews. Unique SWAG ideas have the power to set your company apart. 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. You could even include dessert decorating packs, tasting assortments, or craft kits. 1. Photo illustration by Slate. All This Talk About Quiet Quitting Is Absurd. Read about more virtual talent show ideas. The second event is a winter wreath demo where again supplies are sent to peoples houses and you can follow along with the demo and put a non-denominational winter wreath together. 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. Spirit weeks are a time-honored tradition, in elementary, middle, and high schools alike. 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. Between the confetti, balloons, and cake, office birthday parties are always fun to organize. For some, it's Christmas and Valentine's Day; for others, it's a birthday. Thus, make it easier for team members to congratulate each other on a job well done. Learn how to set new boundaries, ask for support, and re-strategize with your partner about what you need. 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. Here are a few examples. But employees with a few years of experience should be matched with a career mentor to help them grow in their position. If you have to be indoors, consider air flow. Clarify expectations, for example, of performance, workflow or performance management. and retains your top employees. All in all, make the day about them, i.e., your employees. Their office is infused with fun, including random Razor scooters available to any staff who think better while in motion. 7. Theres nothing quite like desserts and ice cream to alleviate stress. 2. Help make kindness the norm at school, home and work by using the links below! Keep Little Hands Busy. You might be worried about keeping yourself safe from coronavirus. Online workouts serve the dual purpose of adding exercise and peer-to-peer interaction into remote workers sedentary, solitary workdays. 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. They are tasty, convenient, and great for hunger pangs that strike while working. During the COVID-19 crisis, you can do a lot more from your couch than you may realize. Usually at this time of year, my inbox fills up with questions about company holiday parties: How many drinks are OK to have there? Elaine has in-depth knowledge of digital, social, and websites both from a strategic and user . For more tournament ideas, check out our list of Slack games. Heres some of what people reported. Its been close to two months since the World Health Organization declared the spread of the novel coronavirus an official pandemic. The week before your work at home spirit week, mail boxes full of goodies to team members. For example, theme days, virtual talent shows, and costume contests. Sally can whip up a variety of cold meals, including salads, grain bowls and yogurt. Teammates can select a different background for each meeting or theme day, and can even swap backgrounds multiple times per call. 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. Better still, if this praise comes in front of their team members, colleagues, and peers. Want to give someone the gift that keeps on giving? Challengers can play the games directly in the channel, or via direct message. On beach day, participants post virtual backgrounds of tropical locations and sip mock mai tais. You might find that employee appreciation becomes a tad bit easier and a whole lot more fun. Give a prize to the two team members who wear the most well-thought . 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. Make Sure You're COVID Safe. 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! All contents 2023 The Slate Group LLC. The disease is extremely contagious, yet many infected people are asymptomatic, and patterns of transmission are not always clear. California-based Chowbotics, has seen an uptick in demand for its fresh food robot "Sally.". Because honestly, everyone expects the managers and leaders to be bossy and unreachable. Here are 10 ideas to consider for your school: 1. You could even hold contests to name and reward the best virtual backgrounds for each meeting. The events should also not take too long to do. Successful fundraising during a recession is two-pronged: Focus hard on donor engagement and retention, and The intensive schedule prevents routine responsibilities from interrupting the fun, and permits employees to focus on recharging and team bonding. Since healthier employees are more productive, happy, and energetic, the company will benefit from this form of appreciation. A lot. Get the latest news from Namely about HR, Payroll, and Benefits. Who doesnt love free food? To host these virtual workouts, have participants join a Zoom call. Weve found that this is key to recreating that Friday feeling during lockdown. - Nushy Rose, Managing Editor at Parlia.
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