1. Simply schedule a Zoom meeting and ask attendees to join from an outdoor spot such as backyards, parks, or beaches. This activity involves solving puzzles and finding clues to "escape" a themed room. Interesting work matter only if you have good food while youre doing it. Part of the fun of spirit week is pretending, and murder mysteries cast participants in the roles of cunning detectives. Sometimes, the utmost appreciation that an employee seeks is a promotion in his job role. Team costumes Whether you're a team of two or twenty, you can dress up in team costumes for Halloween. Many teams are waking up to a new reality of working remotely. And of course folks could also just log off if they wanted to, with no pressure to spend the rest of the day working. to Launch During a Pandemic. Here's what you might be missing- employee appreciation ideas. Half of the box contained things like hand sanitizer, gloves, masks, and other health-related products to help us stay safe. For three hours per week, staff can sign off anytime during the workday for rest and wellbeing, no questions asked. Its a really cool way to connect with your coworkers and find out more about their life outside of work. Themed gift boxes are another popular idea: Were sending winter-y stay-at-home gift boxes. Consider downloading a fitness app with curated workout playlists. Book an Airbnb virtual experience. This is a stressful time to say the least. It's not only a nice little project to focus on, but gives us something to talk about that's not work or coronavirus. Be thoughtful with your messages of appreciation. 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. This is one of the most underrated employee appreciation ideas out there. Some good virtual spirit week ideas include virtual talent shows, Zoom spirit week backgrounds, online award shows, and theme days. Share funny videos, do some riddles and brainsteasers, put music on in the background. Reading a book on the sofa is a cozy way to get in the Christmas spirit. There are few things that employees feel more love for than an extra day of freedom aside from the weekend. SWAG stands for "stuff we all get." Online retreats are company gatherings that take place online. 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. We, humans, are emotional creatures. Virtual spirit weeks bolster team resolve and brightens telecommuters moods. Spirit weeks often involve games. Develop team norms. The employee experience is better, and the company's outcome stronger. Instead of the usual tables and activities, they had booths set up where treats were handed through the window. An extra day off can mean a whole lot of possibilities to overworked and overstressed employees. Beyond bestowing traditional awards like extraordinary performance, team player, or rookie of the year, you can also create fun award categories. Dress-up days are one of the main events during spirit days at schools and offices. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the federal government (OSHA) has provided detailed guidelinesfor workplace safety policies. Company retreats are great for celebrating employees after successful project completion or after an outstanding financial year. 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. This prevents you from working to the point of hunger and then scrambling to decide what to eat. But they are the last to leave. Slate is published by The Slate Group, a Graham Holdings Company. 2020 Namely, Inc. All rights reserved. Talk about what you appreciate about that particular employee. Thus, make it easier for team members to congratulate each other on a job well done. For instance, on sports day, staff can wear jerseys, square off in competitive games, and participate in an online pep rally. Thus becoming one of the best employee engagement activities that you can invest in. We have these events called campfires that take place twice a week. A UK study finds workers job attitudes can be bolstered by allowing them to personalize their office. I cannot wait. In turn, healthier employees produce better results for their companies. Hands-on Experiences: 1. 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. The care packages were tailored for each individual, and they included self-care items such as cozy socks, chocolate, herbal tea, craft kits, puzzles, books, and board games. I am a big believer in team norms which support the team in self managing behaviors, practices and performance. No, not the executive lunchroom. If you are looking to reward your employees with a little something extra. 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. The best online holiday parties encourage interaction. Illustration by Supriya Kalidas. Either way, ask participants to record results by posting them to the channel in a @WIN/@LOSS format. You could even give teammates a prompt per day, like show us your fridge, or share your favorite spot in the house. This activity helps remote teammates learn more about each other, and may reveal shared interests and common ground. It means that they can catch up on the countless movies that they have missed. For example, build breaks into your work schedule, remind team members to take breaks, and don't do work tasks while off work.7,8,9,10,11,12,13 Model problem solving from a variety of viewpoints. Chances are, your company has one too. The packages were delivered to our doors in the afternoon of our event. Spirit Week ideas for busy offices should include low-maintenance events that require minimal planning from event organizers and the participants. Give your entire team a chance to express their creativity with baby pumpkins, acrylic paints, and free pumpkin stencils. From relaxing countryside walks to exciting challenges, your staff will have the time of their lives. After face masks, custom hand sanitizers are the next health and safety giveaway idea on our list. In uncertain times, one thing is certain with fundraisingthe more you plan, the better off you will be. 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. 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. Elaine is a true partner in every sense of the word and would be a huge asset to any company. At checkout the price was zero and you couldnt even enter a tip. But providing a good employee experience is the future. 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. 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 . Its a way for us to provide food and a gathering without being on-site and in groups. But to make them feel valued is what employees think is the most important. Online escape rooms are online versions of thematic puzzle-solving games. Or take a field trip to the local entertainment venue. How to manage COVID-19 risks when organizing meetings and events 3. The Kaiser Family Foundation found . When employees feel that their work is valued, their satisfaction and productivity rise. Hosting online costume contests is one of the best spirit week dress up ideas for work. Simply ask, how are we doing living up to our agreements?. 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. Some "lush" couches. Ensure time is spent checking in on the teams main priorities - any urgent issues that need to be addressed? Have office happy hours and hire a bartender to mix them a drink or two. It is a good idea to vary the class types and levels so that more team members can participate. 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. Materialistic perks are fine. Next, install game apps like rock paper scissors, tic tac toe, and trivia. It might sound cliche, but small courtesies like a boss saying thank you to the team members can make a huge difference. 1. Angela has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and worked as a community manager with Yelp to plan events for businesses. Subjects should be fun and non-work related. But with 29% of Americans reporting that they never drink alcohol, it is time for businesses to think of more inclusive activities. Once the votes are in, book the top ranking classes. Unique SWAG ideas have the power to set your company apart. 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. The cost of commuting is heavily influenced by the location of the workplace relative to where the employee lives. Walking not only counts as physical activity, but also provides some mental health benefits. All This Talk About Quiet Quitting Is Absurd. Lifestyle contests that encourage employees to exercise or try a new activity can also help boost morale. Kicking their feet up on the couch and zoning out in front of the TV could be just what the essential workers in your life need after dealing with the public . Getting your workplace ready in case COVID-19 arrives in your community. Letting employees decorate their workspaces plays an active role in building relationships within the company. 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 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. Ensure that everyone gets that attention. It is easier than ever to show your appreciation from the monthly Netflix fix to news and magazines. Explore them here: On Fridays, our team puts on ridiculous outfits to make each other laugh during virtual meetings. Want to submit a guest post? Outdoor days are one of the best summer spirit week ideas for work. Teams complete comic-book-themed riddles and puzzles and virtual minute-to-win-it challenges to climb the leaderboard and save the world. This is a time to focus only on the people sitting before you. Superhero Academy is a perfect fit for a hero or villain themed online spirit day. Donut is an app in our Slack channel that randomly pairs up coworkers together, encouraging them to set up a coffee meeting (of course, in this case, a virtual coffee meeting) in order to get to know each other better. 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. 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. Employee Appreciation Day is a semi-formal holiday in the United States. You can also use GeoGessr to play a destination-guessing game, or take virtual tours of museums, zoos, and parks together. 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. When you think about having a great company culture, you think about building trust, honesty, and a great team of workers. Theyve asked us what charities wed recommend. Not to fear: There are plenty of Halloween-inspired crafts to go around. Breakout rooms enable guests to have more intimate conversations, so that no attendee feels like an observer. Trivia can be a good way to help teams relax, inspire conversation and build relationships. Therefore it's a win-win situation. Get Competitive. Some leaders consistently interact with those they most easily connect with but may not as readily think of others. 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. Learn how to set new boundaries, ask for support, and re-strategize with your partner about what you need. They are the first to arrive. That can be too intimidating for your employees. But employees with a few years of experience should be matched with a career mentor to help them grow in their position. 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. Following recommendations from the CDC, we've put together some helpful guide to navigating Christmas during Covid this year. Not to mention that birthday parties are an opportunity to appreciate peers. We have 30+ experiences to choose from, and thousands of five star reviews. The BIG List of School Spirit Week Ideas (80+ Activities!) For example, Marvel versus DC Comics, the '60s versus the '70s, or Batman and the Joker. Typical activities include theme days, costume contests, and online parties. 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. You will see that a few words of appreciation can do wonders for the workplace. 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. What Readers Want During COVID-19: Content Ideas for Every Niche. Click here to find out how. 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. Recommended Article: 25 Employee Engagement Activities To Reinvent Your Workforce.