To truly show your employees that they are doing a great job, bring in some fun office traditions like "Taco Tuesday.". Ask your remote team members to describe their day so far with an emoji or a string of emojis. Do I really have to go at all? 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. Recommended Article: 50 Best Words of Appreciation for Employees. Chances are, your company has one too. Declaring theme days is one of the easiest spirit week ideas for work from home. The top reason why the people enjoyed coming to work was because of "feeling appreciated.". Find out how to attract and retain your employees through their entire lifecycle. For some, it's Christmas and Valentine's Day; for others, it's a birthday. When showtime arrives, gather on a Zoom call. They are the first to arrive. Many a time, they'll bring that positivity and enthusiasm back to the workplace. Communication in remote teams, whether casual chats or work related discussions, cant easily happen as spontaneously as it does when people are sitting next to each other at work. Some of these challenges involve participants play-acting and using props during Zoom calls, while simpler versions consist of a series of riddles on Google Forms. Breakout rooms enable guests to have more intimate conversations, so that no attendee feels like an observer. Keep employees engaged and excited with some friendly competition. It can range from conducting regular health check-ups, yoga sessions, dentist appointments, and offering health insurance. Regardless of your age, some physical activity is better than none. If your office normally does Secret Santa or Yankee Swap gift exchanges, you can keep it going this year too. The best online spirit week ideas unite dispersed teammates, encourage interaction, and inspire fun. For employees, having access to a mentor can add velocity to the workplace learning curve. by HR professionals across the globe! Virtual talent shows work best when there is a predetermined act order and an emcee to manage the flow. Pike13 Spirit Week highlights: In times of isolation it can be very difficult to stay on top of where everyone is at. 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 . Simply gear each day's activities around a particular topic. Promoting health is no longer seen as an initiative that yields 'soft' results. Most employees love to learn, and taking a virtual class together is a terrific spirit week idea. Host fun team games to play with your team members. And of course folks could also just log off if they wanted to, with no pressure to spend the rest of the day working. This article is written by Barasha Medhi who is a part of the marketing team at Vantage Circle. For instance, plan a short gentle stretch, a high-intensity cardio routine, and a themed yoga class at different time slots throughout the day. E-Learning is the preferred modern way to upskill and learn while having the convenience of choosing the when and where. Food has a way of being a catalyst to bring people together. Recommended Article: Top 102 Employee Recognition Quotes To Celebrate Their Endeavours. 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. Why not recognize these incredible non-work achievements in front of their peers? Recommended Case Study: Indias Largest Telecom Company Boosts their Global Employee Engagement with Vantage Rewards. Interesting work matter only if you have good food while youre doing it. 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. Book an Airbnb virtual experience. 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. COVID-19 is expected to last for many months, with a potential resurgence in the fall. In turn, healthier employees produce better results for their companies. 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. The games last 90 minutes, giving remote colleagues plenty of time to bond and have fun together. Part of the fun of spirit week is pretending, and murder mysteries cast participants in the roles of cunning detectives. You could even hold contests to name and reward the best virtual backgrounds for each meeting. 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. 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. 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. We started this challenge at Booster. Take off your coat. This is a great way to begin your team meetings. From digital marketing to online delivery services, there are several needs that the pandemic has sparked among consumers. I didnt even stay until the end and used half the amount of tequila in my margarita because Im not used to drinking, but it was a lot of fun, we all learned something and had a good laugh. Namely's powerful HR Software is built for mid-sized companies designed to be used by everyone, every day. Once the awards end, you can email digital certificates and e-gift cards to recipients, or mail trophies and paper awards to their houses. Let the kids pick out a book and read it to them while . Were working with local restaurants (some minority-owned) to provide cold reheatable family meals that our employees will take home to enjoy with their family. Gathering via video call and online communication platforms gives groups a chance to relax, re-energize, and reconnect with teammates. If your crew would rather perform just for fun, then end the show by giving participants a well-deserved round of virtual applause. Also, remember to turn your phone off. When an employee above and beyond on a project at work or accomplishes a personal goal, give them a shoutout on social media to commend their hard work. ). 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. You can even snap a photo and create your own hashtag for when employees achieve something especially commendable. Here are some suggestions: A team reset meeting will ensure team members take time to identify how to best work together in this new reality so that the team can maintain a sense of community, transition through this change effectively, and maintain (and even improve) team performance during this time while supporting the well-being of team members. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the federal government (OSHA) has provided detailed guidelinesfor workplace safety policies. You can even display this social media recognition on your offices digital displays to make sure the whole team sees it. Throughout the evening or afternoon, read awards off one by one, and give each winner 30 seconds to give a victory speech. This will allow team members to truly appreciate each other, leading to better team building. #StayStrongWF Spirit Week April 6-10. 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. Plan out your meals and snacks ahead of time, such as at the beginning of the week or workday. Invite team members to share any perspectives they have about other teams and stakeholders and their needs, concerns issues that the team should be aware of. For example, theme days, virtual talent shows, and costume contests. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Legal. Teammates can select a different background for each meeting or theme day, and can even swap backgrounds multiple times per call. Online escape rooms are online versions of thematic puzzle-solving games. Employees should be free to decide where they want to work and when they want to work whenever possible. Simply designate a theme for each day or meeting, then choose the best dressed for each category. InDirect Report, she spotlights themes from her inbox that help explain the modern workplace and how we could be navigating it better. We, humans, are emotional creatures. The purpose of online spirit weeks is to boost employee engagement and morale. Hands-on Experiences: 1. Spirit weeks build ties with community Over the course of this week, schools will ask students and staff to do activities such as share TikTok videos, do workouts and share pictures wearing. Virtual tea parties are calm yet quirky online events to hold with remote teams. The author's views are entirely his or her own (excluding the unlikely event of hypnosis) and may not always reflect the views of Moz. 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. Some are great artists, while some spend their time doing charity work. Or it just might be a beautiful day to sleep in. Celebrated on the first Friday in March, it pays homage to each employee's contribution to their company. 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. Here are a few examples. Then, have one attendee lead the class, or screen share a video routine. All This Talk About Quiet Quitting Is Absurd. Instead of taking the stage, performers share their acts during a video call. Real world elements make virtual exercises more engaging and interactive. Have office happy hours and hire a bartender to mix them a drink or two. Doesnt necessarily have to be alcohol or coffeeyou could do a juice tasting, or maybe a food tasting. 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. (Source: Team Vantage Circle's Day Excursion). This activity won't cause too much distraction or mess. Spirit week shakes up the normal routine and gives dispersed teammates a chance to get together and have fun. 32. 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. Recommended Article: 23 Awesome Ways To Make Every Employee Work Anniversary Memorable. 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. Getting your workplace ready in case COVID-19 arrives in your community. Remote teammates can enjoy a show while learning more about coworkers special skills and abilities. Not just practical job skills, but behavioral and cultural skills as well. Throwing a virtual holiday party is one of the best Christmas spirit week ideas for work. Develop team norms. Check out our list ofonline escape rooms. A viral photo with suggestions for "Homeschool Spirit Week" has been circling social media. Yet now is a time when communication actually needs to be ramped up. If time is not available to do this well in one meeting book another one but within the next 24 hours so as not to lose momentum. Sending care packages to your remote teams builds buzz for the event and lets your employees know you care about them. 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. What Readers Want During COVID-19: Content Ideas for Every Niche. By planning an online retreat for spirit week, you block out employees time and free staff to enjoy the festivities. Here are some ideas that seem newly relevant given the constraints of 2020 and beyond. Team building content expert. Illustration by Supriya Kalidas. However, Slack games offer more flexibility, as teammates can play on their own schedules. Company retreats are great for celebrating employees after successful project completion or after an outstanding financial year. 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. Typical activities include theme days, costume contests, and online parties. The intensive schedule prevents routine responsibilities from interrupting the fun, and permits employees to focus on recharging and team bonding. Some ideas include: Characters from a favorite movie This activity involves solving puzzles and finding clues to "escape" a themed room. Distance does not have to put a damper on the fun. 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. How to be a good coworker and leader during this crisis. One is a gingerbread house session where theyll send you the kit, walk you through assembly, and then you can decorate with the provided candy and icing or your own. Some ideas for your 30-minute morning check-ins include: Establish virtual coffee chats with individual team members. Be thoughtful with your messages of appreciation. 2. and retains your top employees. 9. For more ideas, check out our roundup of team building workouts. For inspiration, check out our lists of online cooking classes and online art classes. Next, check our our list of ideas to celebrate Pride at work, online fun Friday ideas, and intern orientation activities. 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. Get advice from seasoned professionals about all your compliance questions and concerns. 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. California-based Chowbotics, has seen an uptick in demand for its fresh food robot "Sally.". All in all, make the day about them, i.e., your employees. Clarify expectations, for example, of performance, workflow or performance management. Read about more virtual talent show ideas. Walking not only counts as physical activity, but also provides some mental health benefits. This is a great way to begin your team meetings. Honestly, Im really pleased with this decision over trying to make a Zoom party happen. After all, who doesn't like a couple of free snacks? Not to mention that birthday parties are an opportunity to appreciate peers. Even after COVID-19, hand sanitizers are a welcomed gift, no matter your customer base or your business. The disease is extremely contagious, yet many infected people are asymptomatic, and patterns of transmission are not always clear. Experiences, not cash, are the new corporate bonus. You will see that a few words of appreciation can do wonders for the workplace. Full coverage and live updates on the Coronavirus, This is a BETA experience. All rights reserved. Whats the Word on The Street? Appreciation from one's peers has more significance than from one's manager. In advance we were all given a link to a store that sells cocktail making kits. 3. The charm of subscription boxes is that theres something for everyone! Every year there are days we look forward to. Instead, health promotion ensures that your staff actually want and like to be at work. There are many fun online activities that suit an international or travel-themed spirit week or spirit day. Vantage Circle. So far, people have hosted presentations on their favorite hobby, sports team, family, the country they come from, favorite food, favorite lockdown activity, etc. Following recommendations from the CDC, we've put together some helpful guide to navigating Christmas during Covid this year. 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. Celebrating employee birthdays never gets old. Learn how to set new boundaries, ask for support, and re-strategize with your partner about what you need. Working from home can be lonely and mundane. Credit: HMH Books for Young Readers. Heres some of what people reported. $10 at Amazon. Shared items such a candy jars, cereal boxes, and containers of nuts should be removed for the safety of all workers. Spirit weeks are a time-honored tradition, in elementary, middle, and high schools alike. Being a boss, every positive word from you will act as a huge morale booster for your employees. That can be too intimidating for your employees. Vantage Circle. 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. Few people are as knee-deep in our work-related anxieties and sticky office politics as Alison Green, who has been fielding workplace questions for a decade now on her website Ask a Manager. And what could be better for this purpose than to offer E-Learning options? Consider sending your top ten performers off for a day or two at a spa to provide an incentive for continued outstanding performance. Recommended Article: The Ultimate Guide To Employee Rewards and Recognition. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight The essence of spirit week is enthusiasm, not physical proximity. Have regular check ins with individual team members. Employee appreciation is meant to make the workplace feel a little bit like home. 2022 Todos os direitos reservados. Typical spirit weeks involve decorating contests. After your holiday meal, go on a virtual group walk through your respective neighborhoods to work off the food. 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. You may opt-out by. 2. This peer-to-peer employee recognition idea is about encouraging everyone from the organization to recognize good work. Employee Appreciation Day is a semi-formal holiday in the United States. Working from home can be challenging. Wishing you and your team health and tranquility. Working remotely creates a new set of challenges that arebeing amplified by the added stress of school closures andby the anxiety many are facing during this pandemic. From open enrollment to building a benefits package, we've got you covered. More than a manager, an employee's peers are more likely to know about their good qualities. Virtual spirit week ideas are ways to celebrate the occasion with remote teams. 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. Thus in this scenario, investing in an effective recognition program becomes a critical part of employee engagement. Virtual spirit weeks bolster team resolve and brightens telecommuters moods. 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. Photos by Getty Images Plus. 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!). 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. Guests can dress up too. First, either mail employees tea and fancy snacks, or ask attendees to bring their own refreshments and reimburse them for the expense. 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. 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. Its expensive to recruit a new worker. Letting employees decorate their workspaces plays an active role in building relationships within the company. Mention about their desirable quirks like always being on time or such. Ask each person to share one word to describe how they are feeling in that moment. The team that plays together bonds better. Show Your Appreciation. 1. After face masks, custom hand sanitizers are the next health and safety giveaway idea on our list. They had a selection that included non-alcoholic mixes too (like a ginger lemonade). Many a time, showing some employee appreciation may seem hard. 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. Even a small gesture like a "thank you" goes a long way to boost productivity, increase performance and improve morale among the workforce. One employee's commute could be inexpensive, while for another, it could be prohibitive. Believe it or not, such small stuff really sees a positively impacted company culture. Also, its really great to take your mind off the news that we are surrounded with every day. Ensure that everyone gets that attention. Team Norms. Then, encourage teammates to square off. If you can get outside to walk, studies have shown that a brisk walk can make you feel . He expressed that business leaders need to develop a structured and approach to mentoring. Whats Working/Whats Not? A crisis like this can either break ateamdown and widen any cracks in its foundation, or it canresult in the emergence of true greatness. The tours could happen on a single day, or throughout the week. It's not only a nice little project to focus on, but gives us something to talk about that's not work or coronavirus. With these 33 employee appreciation ideas, you will see reduced turnover and retain your top talents. The Coronavirus Crisis 9 Ways Schools Will Look Different When (And If) They Reopen 1. But heres the thing. Themed dress-up days are popular favorites, but they're really just the start. Halloween is the time of year when employees can showcase their creativity and interact with coworkers they may not normally work closely with. Theyve asked us what charities wed recommend. Many of us now look forward to Mondays because of these hilarious crosswords! You might be worried about keeping yourself safe from coronavirus. 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. 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. 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 . Their office is infused with fun, including random Razor scooters available to any staff who think better while in motion. When the class arrives, learn together, and be sure to snap plenty of screenshots. 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. 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. Here are 10 ideas to consider for your school: 1. According to Harvard Business Review writer Anthony K. TJan: Company leadership should embrace, promote and value mentoring programs to realize a return on investment. Celebrate "Employee Appreciation Day" With Pomp And Show Employee Appreciation Day is a semi-formal holiday in the United States. 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. Why not see which team has the most steps or ran the furthest distance this week? Remote teammates work together to crack clues and conquer brain teasers before time runs out. Slack game tournaments are great ideas for virtual spirit weeks. Our division is doing a holiday drive-in movie and renting out a drive-in theater for the evening. Virtual talent shows double as entertainment and team bonding. Recommended Article: Gift Cards Make For The Perfect Employee Rewards. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Feel free to customize it with your companys logos. For example, share with team members how you will be leading, how you will check in with them, what you will be asking about. If you are looking to reward your employees with a little something extra. After the bartender presentation (which was short) everybody got to chat and enjoy their drinks for some time before saying goodbye. Social Media is the biggest influencer of our generation. But providing a good employee experience is the future. 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. of 70-75% ethyl alcohol. It definitely is the easiest and quickest Zoom icebreaker out there. To host a virtual talent show, invite teammates to sign up for slots. Not to mention, Online Office Games is highly customizable, so the activities can revolve around the spirit week theme of the day at your request. Employee appreciation is the cornerstone of developing a robust and meaningful workplace culture. Online retreats are company gatherings that take place online. SWAG stands for "stuff we all get." If done in person, they provide a safer pandemic option because you share the room only with the people in your party. Aside from regular appreciation, you can ensure that your employees feel valued on important occasions, such as by sending Thanksgiving messages to employees. Simply post a different game or prompt on the company social channels every day, and instruct employees to respond using a special hashtag. Here are 15 office ideas for Halloween: 1. Although workplace benefits help keep employees happy, they rarely tend to spark inspiration. 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. The key is making exercise a daily priority, and the holidays are no different. And encouraging a cake culture can never be a bad thing. Superhero Academy is equal parts fun, intellectual, and competitive.