spirit week ideas for work during covid spirit week ideas for work during covid

Some leaders consistently interact with those they most easily connect with but may not as readily think of others. Whats Really So Wrong About Secretly Working Two Full-Time Jobs at Once? For some, it's Christmas and Valentine's Day; for others, it's a birthday. The employee experience is better, and the company's outcome stronger. 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. If you have to be indoors, consider air flow. Once the awards end, you can email digital certificates and e-gift cards to recipients, or mail trophies and paper awards to their houses. You can even use it as a way to support local businesses: We were able to do family meals for our employees. They take place using video call software, online communication platforms, and occasionally social media. If the show is a competition, then at the end of the performance have the audience vote for a winner via poll, or send a panel of judges into a breakout room to deliberate. You can even snap a photo and create your own hashtag for when employees achieve something especially commendable. This is one of the most underrated employee appreciation ideas out there. Participants can either perform alone, or collaborate with colleagues on a group act. For instance, take their opinion during decisions like on-boarding new technology or a specific project. A lot. 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. The day-to-day work life might get hectic and tedious for everyone in the office. But with 29% of Americans reporting that they never drink alcohol, it is time for businesses to think of more inclusive activities. Shared items such a candy jars, cereal boxes, and containers of nuts should be removed for the safety of all workers. 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. 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. The games last 90 minutes, giving remote colleagues plenty of time to bond and have fun together. Unique SWAG ideas have the power to set your company apart. PopCap, the company behind legendary Facebook games like Bejeweled, offers some fantastic break rooms for its 400 odd employees. 2022 Tous droits rservs. Some "lush" couches. Every company has its own perks: fully stocked kitchens, corporate team events, and the latest MacBook Pro. Declaring theme days is one of the easiest spirit week ideas for work from home. Get advice from seasoned professionals about all your compliance questions and concerns. Just to say hi and check how they are doing. Our division is doing a holiday drive-in movie and renting out a drive-in theater for the evening. 7. Make it more special by hosting a "Make Your Own Taco" competition where the winner gets some form of employee reward. 2. Teams complete comic-book-themed riddles and puzzles and virtual minute-to-win-it challenges to climb the leaderboard and save the world. Challengers can play the games directly in the channel, or via direct message. One employee's commute could be inexpensive, while for another, it could be prohibitive. To host an online award show, first create award categories. If your office normally does Secret Santa or Yankee Swap gift exchanges, you can keep it going this year too. The tours could happen on a single day, or throughout the week. But follow the 33 employee appreciation ideas articulated in this article. Consider sending your top ten performers off for a day or two at a spa to provide an incentive for continued outstanding performance. First, create a Slack channel for the games. Simply schedule a Zoom meeting and ask attendees to join from an outdoor spot such as backyards, parks, or beaches. Have office happy hours and hire a bartender to mix them a drink or two. Whats the Word on The Street? Remote team games like holiday Bingo, trivia, and scavenger hunts get guests moving and invoke the holiday spirit. It can range from conducting regular health check-ups, yoga sessions, dentist appointments, and offering health insurance. Before the . Remote teammates work together to crack clues and conquer brain teasers before time runs out. By hosting your fundraisers online, you can reach new supporters both near and far from your school without needing to leave your desk. I recently asked Ask a Manager readers to share how their teams are observing the holidays in lieu of in-person parties this year, and it turns out companies have gotten really creative. An escape room Escape room activities are available virtually and in person. So far, people have hosted presentations on their favorite hobby, sports team, family, the country they come from, favorite food, favorite lockdown activity, etc. You can also use GeoGessr to play a destination-guessing game, or take virtual tours of museums, zoos, and parks together. Finally going on a picnic with their loved ones. For employees, having access to a mentor can add velocity to the workplace learning curve. Its a really cool way to connect with your coworkers and find out more about their life outside of work. People are encouraged to bring family (which is not something we typically can do with these events) and I would have loved this even before the new normal. Im kind of bummed Im going to be missing out on this one actually. Ensure that everyone gets that attention. Honestly, Im really pleased with this decision over trying to make a Zoom party happen. Some ideas include: Characters from a favorite movie Cycling is beneficial for your. 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. Declaring theme days is one of the easiest spirit week ideas for work from home. We all know that employees are the most valuable asset for a business. Humans have an inherent need to get appreciated for their work. This activity won't cause too much distraction or mess. Research says that the primary cause of employees leaving their jobs is the lack of appreciation. It is a good idea to vary the class types and levels so that more team members can participate. 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. 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. Celebrated on the first Friday in March, it pays homage to each employee's contribution to their company. Get the latest news from Namely about HR, Payroll, and Benefits. First, choose a date and send a video meeting link to your colleagues. For our workers who have never worked from home, social isolation is deeply felt. So, whether you're paired up or have something in the works, here are 20 ideas to safely celebrate Valentine's Day during coronavirus. Getty Images/PeopleImages. When employees feel that their work is valued, their satisfaction and productivity rise. With more than 30 million people filing for unemployment in the past six weeks, the U.S. is predicted to experience a coronavirus-induced recession through 2021. During the call, participants can chat and play fun games, or co-work while enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. But heres the thing. "We're encouraging employees to stay active by challenging their coworkers. Team members can challenge each other voluntarily. It is working together that will get us through this time. Once the votes are in, book the top ranking classes. Moreover, you can drop an appreciation mail to the employees so that it stays with them forever. Simple ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in your workplace 2. The Ultimate Guide to Employee Rewards and Recognition. After all, who doesn't like a couple of free snacks? Each act should be around five minutes. 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. 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. In order to position your company as one where people really want to work, your company SWAG items had better reflect that. Wellness Resources After face masks, custom hand sanitizers are the next health and safety giveaway idea on our list. Hands-on Experiences: 1. Remote teams often work on staggered schedules, meaning that the whole crew may not be available at game time. Online escape rooms are online versions of thematic puzzle-solving games. 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. Ask each person to share one word to describe how they are feeling in. 4. See: How Indoor Ventilation Systems Can Help Prevent or Permit the Spread of COVID-19 . Theres nothing quite like desserts and ice cream to alleviate stress. Gain practical tools and strategies to lead your remote team to high performance with mycomplimentary webinar and check out my new e-course: Lead High Performing Remote Teams That Thrive Through COVID and Beyond. Even a simple gesture like an appreciation message or thoughtful gifts on valentines Day or anniversaries can make a huge difference. I'm really hoping we won't have to consider this in future years, but a lot of planning time went into making sure that we minimized our COVID risk during the trip. A team lunch is a great way through which everyone can bond with each other and with you. Companies all over the world are making their operations remote for the first time to combat the spread of the coronavirus. Keeping a workplace safe during the COVID-19 pandemic can be challenging. Give a prize to the two team members who wear the most well-thought . When you actually take the time out to get involved with them personally, employees feel that you genuinely care about them. 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. Coffee and Chocolate Tastings It doesn't have to be cocktail focused. Celebrate "Employee Appreciation Day" With Pomp And Show Employee Appreciation Day is a semi-formal holiday in the United States. I wont be able to attend as COVID-19 gave me the chance to move out of state and go full-time remote, but I actually think its a great idea. Online Office Games is a friendly competition for remote teammates. Encourage healthy work-life balance by modeling healthy boundaries around time spent working and time off. Better still, if this praise comes in front of their team members, colleagues, and peers. Also, they give continuous optimal performance. Reward employees with a token or gift of appreciation from your side. Instead, health promotion ensures that your staff actually want and like to be at work. 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. Doesnt necessarily have to be alcohol or coffeeyou could do a juice tasting, or maybe a food tasting. This will allow team members to truly appreciate each other, leading to better team building. These activities also make great spring spirit week ideas for work. The purpose of online spirit weeks is to boost employee engagement and morale. How to advocate for yourself at work during COVID-19. Are your employee motivated to come to work every single 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. Petit fours, miniature cupcakes, and macarons are the best tea party desserts, and finger sandwiches are another staple. Perhaps the best gift to give your employees is recognizing your employees publicly for a great job done. The essence of spirit week is enthusiasm, not physical proximity. 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. Need more tips for how to keep your employees happy during COVID-19? Throwing a virtual holiday party is one of the best Christmas spirit week ideas for work. #StayStrongWF Spirit Week April 6-10. In times of isolation it can be very difficult to stay on top of where everyone is at. Simply post a different game or prompt on the company social channels every day, and instruct employees to respond using a special hashtag. 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. All in all, make the day about them, i.e., your employees. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the federal government (OSHA) has provided detailed guidelinesfor workplace safety policies. At the end of the week, count up the wins, and have the victors face off against each other for the championship. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about virtual spirit weeks. We started this challenge at Booster. How to be a good coworker and leader during this crisis. It's not only a nice little project to focus on, but gives us something to talk about that's not work or coronavirus. and retains your top employees. There's a lot you can do to be helpful from home. After the bartender presentation (which was short) everybody got to chat and enjoy their drinks for some time before saying goodbye. Recommended Article: The Ultimate Guide To Employee Rewards and Recognition. Not to mention that birthday parties are an opportunity to appreciate peers. Employees thrive at work when they know their contributions have meaning. Virtual spirit week ideas are ways to celebrate the occasion with remote teams. Teammates can select a different background for each meeting or theme day, and can even swap backgrounds multiple times per call. The Coronavirus Crisis 9 Ways Schools Will Look Different When (And If) They Reopen 1. This will make them feel like a part of your business and not just a mere employee. Real world elements make virtual exercises more engaging and interactive. 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. You signed up for your preferred one beforehand and received a list of ingredients, then once the drinks were made, people came back to the big room and there were a couple of facilitated games and stuff (like trivia). Successful fundraising during a recession is two-pronged: Focus hard on donor engagement and retention, and Be thoughtful with your messages of appreciation. 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 . Breakout rooms enable guests to have more intimate conversations, so that no attendee feels like an observer. Vantage Circle. 29. With these 33 employee appreciation ideas, you will see reduced turnover and retain your top talents. Offering a corporate wellness program within a vibrant culture of thriving well-being can significantly enhance that connection. The charm of subscription boxes is that theres something for everyone! And encourage team members to let you know whenever they need any kind of support whether related directly to their work tasks or to any challenges they might be personally facing in the new situation. There is also the threat of a recession. Your team can decorate their jack-o'-lanterns during break, lunch, or while you hold a team meeting. Trivia can be a good way to help teams relax, inspire conversation and build relationships. For more tournament ideas, check out our list of Slack games. Make Sure You're COVID Safe. These activities broaden employees global and cultural horizons while also delighting the teams travel lovers. Also, they grow more motivated to maintain or improve their good work. The cups were all the same so no one could tell what you were drinking unless you commented on it. Make it meaningful for the employee so that they cherish it and put in their extra effort. Credit: HMH Books for Young Readers. 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. I sort of roll my eyes at these, but they did a pumpkin carving contest earlier in the fall and people got very very VERY into it, and someone offered to lead a how to make the perfect apple pie for Thanksgiving and the voluntary sign-up had over 500 people. Here are list of themes to use for online spirit weeks. About how his/her contributions have aided to a projects successful completion. Click here to find out how. If you can get outside to walk, studies have shown that a brisk walk can make you feel . 3. Virtual Fun Run Cost: $$ Difficulty: 4 Earning Potential: Paint Pumpkins. Check out more more aboutonline retreat ideas. WeAreTeachers Staff on September 20, 2022. 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. Do I really have to go at all? 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. An extra day off can mean a whole lot of possibilities to overworked and overstressed employees. 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. To host these virtual workouts, have participants join a Zoom call. Whats Working/Whats Not? Spirit weeks are a time-honored tradition, in elementary, middle, and high schools alike. The effectiveness of office snacks is that major companies like Google use them as a perk to attract the top employees. You can take the first step in promoting the importance of health. Instead of taking the stage, performers share their acts during a video call. I think that well continue doing this even after the pandemic is goneits such a cool way to learn more about the people you work with every day. - Dennis Vu, CEO and Co-founder of Ringblaze, We hired a magician to put on a virtual magic show for our staff, clients, and vendors to watch with their families. Namely's powerful HR Software is built for mid-sized companies designed to be used by everyone, every day. 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. Do the bragging on behalf of your employees, and show your whole team how fantastic everyone is. I hope this article has in some small way helped your and your teams trek through this extraordinary time. Take off your coat. Throughout the evening or afternoon, read awards off one by one, and give each winner 30 seconds to give a victory speech. Why not see which team has the most steps or ran the furthest distance this week? 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. Some ideas for your 30-minute morning check-ins include: One-Word Check-ins. This helps your employees feel appreciated on an ongoing basis. Gathering via video call and online communication platforms gives groups a chance to relax, re-energize, and reconnect with teammates. We regularly share the progress our sunflowers are making. For three hours per week, staff can sign off anytime during the workday for rest and wellbeing, no questions asked. Working from home can be lonely and mundane. Some employees even showcased their talents liveranging from musical performances to cake baking to cat training. The chocolate tasting person is mailing out the tasting kits to all of us and will lead us through the tasting via Zoom. However, Slack games offer more flexibility, as teammates can play on their own schedules. Weve had a few teams compete in virtual relays, races, or step challenges using free apps to log steps, distance ran/cycled, etc. 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. Virtual Breakout Rooms are ideal for teams that need to brush up on their collaboration, problem-solving, and creative thinking skills. Online retreats are company gatherings that take place online. 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. First, either mail employees tea and fancy snacks, or ask attendees to bring their own refreshments and reimburse them for the expense. The team that plays together bonds better. Chances are, your company has one too. Recommended Article: 50 Best Words of Appreciation for Employees. A client of mine, whose team of 15 people are now all working from home, established daily 30-minute morning team check-ins to stay connected and on top of the priorities of the team, which have shifted given COVID-19. For example, Marvel versus DC Comics, the '60s versus the '70s, or Batman and the Joker. 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. Every year there are days we look forward to. 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. Without a doubt, getting a specially curated box of snacks will make employees feel happy and contented. Not to fear: There are plenty of Halloween-inspired crafts to go around. Mention about their desirable quirks like always being on time or such. With trick-or-treating officially considered a high-risk activity, you may be scrambling to find something for your little goblins to do on the 31st. Offering free meals and caffeine is actually a highly effective and cost-effective means of motivating and controlling young employees. I write about how to improve team and leadership performance. When the class arrives, learn together, and be sure to snap plenty of screenshots. All contents 2023 The Slate Group LLC. Murder mysteries are games that require participants to play a character while solving a mystery. To host a virtual talent show, invite teammates to sign up for slots. Illustration by Supriya Kalidas. They are tasty, convenient, and great for hunger pangs that strike while working. Book an Airbnb virtual experience. Remote teams can dress up for remote meetings, even if their outfits wont be on display all day. 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. All rights reserved. Most employees love to learn, and taking a virtual class together is a terrific spirit week idea. Inject Fun and Humor. Then, encourage teammates to square off. by HR professionals across the globe! Priorities. Check out our list of the best online murder mysteries. Being a boss, every positive word from you will act as a huge morale booster for your employees. Take a bubble bath (bonus: Add a glass of. See how Namely's flexible solution will help you streamline your HR processes by having your people, payroll, and benefits info all in on place. The Very Worst Kind of Bad Boss Just Wont Go Away. Plus, you can capture a screenshot of the whole crew dressed up. The best way to decorate virtual offices is by using virtual meeting backgrounds. 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.