For example, theme days, virtual talent shows, and costume contests. 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. Companies with a corporate health plan are more likely to see more engaged employees. Team costumes Whether you're a team of two or twenty, you can dress up in team costumes for Halloween. Look at yourself in the mirror. Clear your schedule for at least an hour. 20 Fun Virtual Spirit Week Ideas, Games & Activities for Work Here's what you might be missing- employee appreciation ideas. 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. After the bartender presentation (which was short) everybody got to chat and enjoy their drinks for some time before saying goodbye. of 70-75% ethyl alcohol. 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. Its common knowledge that people love gift cards. 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. Reward employees with a token or gift of appreciation from your side. 33 Safe Vacations During CoronavirusTypes of Vacations and Places that Your employees are amazing people with undisclosed talents. So far, people have hosted presentations on their favorite hobby, sports team, family, the country they come from, favorite food, favorite lockdown activity, etc. Paint Pumpkins. Spirit week attendees can either make their own backgrounds using Canva or Photoshop, or can download one from online. Wed all ooooh and ahhh, and laugh. From relaxing countryside walks to exciting challenges, your staff will have the time of their lives. If you developed team norms to stay on top of (as above), then ensure you check-in on them. Hosting online costume contests is one of the best spirit week dress up ideas for work. Children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years need at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity daily. Some employees even showcased their talents liveranging from musical performances to cake baking to cat training. Get 5 morale boosting tips here, learn how to celebrate employee milestones virtually here, and get some more general tricks for managing your remote workforce here. 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. 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. 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. He expressed that business leaders need to develop a structured and approach to mentoring. Put up fun office anecdotes on the bulletin board. In this case they will contribute to providing some structure in an unstructured team situation. "We're encouraging employees to stay active by challenging their coworkers. Most employees love to learn, and taking a virtual class together is a terrific spirit week idea. 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. 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. 3 Ways To Keep Employee Morale Up During The Coronavirus Outbreak - Forbes Offering free meals and caffeine is actually a highly effective and cost-effective means of motivating and controlling young employees. To host an online award show, first create award categories. Full coverage and live updates on the Coronavirus, This is a BETA experience. I also hired a local small business to make some custom iced cookies for us. 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. In advance we were all given a link to a store that sells cocktail making kits. 2022 Alle rechten voorbehouden. When you actually take the time out to get involved with them personally, employees feel that you genuinely care about them. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about virtual spirit weeks. 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. 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. Subjects should be fun and non-work related. Before the . Host fun team games to play with your team members. Along with trivia nights and snack boxes, some enterprising folks have floated the idea of virtual cocktail parties, costume contests or craft workshops to spice up virtual holiday celebrations.. Instead of taking the stage, performers share their acts during a video call. The best thing about birthdays is cake. Plus, you could throw virtual parties for any holiday. Remote teams often work on staggered schedules, meaning that the whole crew may not be available at game time. Or, you can use an app like Donut to match up opponents, and pairs can play games instead of scheduling a video chat. But heres the thing. But to make them feel valued is what employees think is the most important. Throwing a virtual holiday party is one of the best Christmas spirit week ideas for work. Between the confetti, balloons, and cake, office birthday parties are always fun to organize. Heres some of what people reported. You might feel anxious about: Your own safety and the safety of others. Keep employees engaged and excited with some friendly competition. A recent study published in Healthcare Design Magazine revealed that "an extreme break room makeover" at one health facility reduced staff "stress and fatigue.". 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. Declaring theme days is one of the easiest spirit week ideas for work from home. 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. Here are 10 ideas to consider for your school: 1. For inspiration, check out our lists of online cooking classes and online art classes. It might sound cliche, but small courtesies like a boss saying thank you to the team members can make a huge difference. Its expensive to recruit a new worker. Workplace Safety During COVID-19 | Justia Usually at this time of year, my inbox fills up with questions about company holiday parties: How many drinks are OK to have there? Staff members find creative ways to celebrate during COVID-19 - Miami Spirit week shakes up the normal routine and gives dispersed teammates a chance to get together and have fun. Classroom Routines Must Change. Here's What Teaching - Education Week Top Pandemic-Friendly Business Ideas - U.S. Chamber Sally can whip up a variety of cold meals, including salads, grain bowls and yogurt. Make Sure You're COVID Safe. First, give teammates a few options for online courses and ask them to vote for their favorite. You found our list of unique virtual spirit week ideas. Encourage healthy work-life balance by modeling healthy boundaries around time spent working and time off. I also personally feel that it's boosting my wellbeing and brightening my day. The week before your work at home spirit week, mail boxes full of goodies to team members. Help make kindness the norm at school, home and work by using the links below! They are the first to arrive. Decatur, IL (62521) Today. 4 Ways A Single Word Has The Power To Positively Change Your Perspective, 8 Ways To Create Certainty Amid Current Workplace Uncertainty, Why Accountability Is At The Core Of Stewardship Delegation, 5 Ways To Grow Your Personal Brand As A Content Creator, Why We Need To Make Every Day Employee Appreciation Day, In A Competitive Job Market, Heres How To Win The Interview, 5 Tips To Recession-Proof Your Career And Bullet-Proof Your Security. You can also use GeoGessr to play a destination-guessing game, or take virtual tours of museums, zoos, and parks together. Show Your Appreciation. Employees who want to learn about new tools, techniques, or topics but have less time on their hands will consider it a fabulous opportunity. Themed gift boxes are another popular idea: Were sending winter-y stay-at-home gift boxes. Remote teammates work together to crack clues and conquer brain teasers before time runs out. A team lunch is a great way through which everyone can bond with each other and with you. Spirit weeks are a time-honored tradition, in elementary, middle, and high schools alike. Do I really have to go at all? Have office happy hours and hire a bartender to mix them a drink or two. Why not see which team has the most steps or ran the furthest distance this week? We've had a few teams compete in virtual relays, races, or step challenges using free apps to log steps, distance ran/cycled, etc. And what could be better for this purpose than to offer E-Learning options? To keep our employees motivated, we are encouraging and hosting virtual social time. For example, new employees should receive a buddy to learn the ropes. Show your employees some love by making sure that the snacks provided are healthy and nutritious. Check out our list of the best online murder mysteries. A dynamic host facilitates this 90 minute virtual team building event with a trusty virtual sidekick. 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. What Readers Want During COVID-19: Content Ideas for Every Niche. Having direct access to a mentor gives junior professionals valuable one-on-one training. 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. 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. Find ways to start each day with positive energy and a sense of community. This will allow team members to truly appreciate each other, leading to better team building. How to be a good coworker and leader during this crisis. 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. This is a time to focus only on the people sitting before you. Guests can dress up too. When the class arrives, learn together, and be sure to snap plenty of screenshots. One-Word Check-ins. Also, remember to turn your phone off. -Bob Nelson, In the United States, 20,000 workers were surveyed by the Boston Consulting Group. Simple ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in your workplace 2. 31. ). The Very Worst Kind of Bad Boss Just Wont Go Away. 29. For more tournament ideas, check out our list of Slack games. After your holiday meal, go on a virtual group walk through your respective neighborhoods to work off the food. You can also offer a myriad of health benefits. Employee appreciation is the cornerstone of developing a robust and meaningful workplace culture. Gathering via video call and online communication platforms gives groups a chance to relax, re-energize, and reconnect with teammates. Talk about what you appreciate about that particular employee. 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. Not to mention that birthday parties are an opportunity to appreciate peers. 21 Fun Quarantine Christmas Ideas 2020 - Good Housekeeping Research says that the primary cause of employees leaving their jobs is the lack of appreciation. Not to fear: There are plenty of Halloween-inspired crafts to go around. 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 . We safeguard your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy. 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. Each act should be around five minutes. Who doesnt love free food? For our workers who have never worked from home, social isolation is deeply felt. A UK study finds workers job attitudes can be bolstered by allowing them to personalize their office. How to create effective, engaged workplace teams after the Recommended Article: The Ultimate Guide To Employee Rewards and Recognition. The best online holiday parties encourage interaction. I hope the concrete strategies and steps I share below will help you to bring some added calm, focus and renewed energy to your team. PopCap, the company behind legendary Facebook games like Bejeweled, offers some fantastic break rooms for its 400 odd employees. This activity involves solving puzzles and finding clues to "escape" a themed room. At the end of the week, count up the wins, and have the victors face off against each other for the championship. This article is written by Barasha Medhi who is a part of the marketing team at Vantage Circle. You can take the first step in promoting the importance of health. For example, hold a Zoom ugly sweater contest, host a virtual Secret Santa or white elephant gift exchange, and sing Christmas carols. Online fundraising allows you to make a big impact even if your team is limited in members or budget. Recommended Case Study: Indias Largest Telecom Company Boosts their Global Employee Engagement with Vantage Rewards. One of the simplest and most popular solutions has been virtual happy hours. Then there will be a contest with prizes for best house, most creative house, house that looks like the before pic on a HGTV show, etc. WeAreTeachers Staff on September 20, 2022. You could even include dessert decorating packs, tasting assortments, or craft kits. 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. 2020 Namely, Inc. All rights reserved. Some teams are secretly supervillains who try to sabotage other teams, and players must also identify these sinister alter-egos to ensure evil does not prevail. California-based Chowbotics, has seen an uptick in demand for its fresh food robot "Sally.". Health & Safety Giveaways: Ideas amid COVID-19 - National Pen Finally going on a picnic with their loved ones. If you are looking to reward your employees with a little something extra. For example, share with team members how you will be leading, how you will check in with them, what you will be asking about. Heres a way to see people in-person from the safety of your cars: Our company has had a couple of drive-through events set up in the parking lot of the main company campus. We all know that employees are the most valuable asset for a business. But they are the last to leave. "Homeschool Spirit Week" lets kids have fun while - News 4 Buffalo Photo illustration by Slate. Typical spirit weeks involve decorating contests. 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. These events typically occur through a series of video meetings, group chats, and collaborative online activities. Are they excited to be working for you? Share funny videos, do some riddles and brainsteasers, put music on in the background. Our division is doing a holiday drive-in movie and renting out a drive-in theater for the evening. You can even display this social media recognition on your offices digital displays to make sure the whole team sees it. Every company has got one of these employees. Why not put a reminder in your diary when you plan to finish working? These activities broaden employees global and cultural horizons while also delighting the teams travel lovers. Or, you could start a gallery on social media or a cloud-based photo album, and invite teammates to vote on their favorite uploads throughout the week. 9. At checkout the price was zero and you couldnt even enter a tip. 14 Spirit Week Ideas That Kids Of All Ages Can Get Into - Romper Food is a big deal at work. Here's how the pandemic will change - CNN How to Engage And Retain Your Employees During Covid - LinkedIn Themed dress-up days are popular favorites, but they're really just the start. Breakout rooms enable guests to have more intimate conversations, so that no attendee feels like an observer. Or, if you hold virtual escape rooms or similar games, then include puzzles. Jamaica 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. Photos by Getty Images Plus. High 53F. When you think about having a great company culture, you think about building trust, honesty, and a great team of workers. Here are a few examples. 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. Celebrate "Employee Appreciation Day" With Pomp And Show Employee Appreciation Day is a semi-formal holiday in the United States. Coronavirus Will Change the World Permanently. Here's How - POLITICO Learn more: 25 Employee Recognition Statistics You Shouldn't Ignore. 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 theme days to care packages to costume contests, here is a list of fun ways to celebrate spirit weeks in remote offices. Make sure you exchange emails with a volunteer coordinator or call before you . Next, install game apps like rock paper scissors, tic tac toe, and trivia. Snacks are a fantastic food item that doesn't require you to get out of your desk when you want to eat something light. Need more tips for how to keep your employees happy during COVID-19? Because honestly, everyone expects the managers and leaders to be bossy and unreachable. In stock now. Things to consider when you and your employees travel 4. Without a doubt, getting a specially curated box of snacks will make employees feel happy and contented. But while you're indoors, there's no reason you can't explore your fun and creative side. Encourage team members to do the same. 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. Working from home can be challenging. When employees feel that their work is valued, their satisfaction and productivity rise. Keep Little Hands Busy. When showtime arrives, gather on a Zoom call. Even a simple gesture like an appreciation message or thoughtful gifts on valentines Day or anniversaries can make a huge difference. Wishing you and your team health and tranquility. After all, who doesn't like a couple of free snacks? There are many fun online activities that suit an international or travel-themed spirit week or spirit day. 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. Recommended Article: Gift Cards Make For The Perfect Employee Rewards. Also, its really great to take your mind off the news that we are surrounded with every day. Your Team Is Now Working Remotely5 Ways To Strengthen - Forbes The intensive schedule prevents routine responsibilities from interrupting the fun, and permits employees to focus on recharging and team bonding. For instance, if you host a murder mystery, then include character cards in the boxes. Once the awards end, you can email digital certificates and e-gift cards to recipients, or mail trophies and paper awards to their houses. to Launch During a Pandemic. 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. 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. Teammates can vote using the poll feature in your video meeting platform, and you can send the winner a prize. Even a small gesture like a "thank you" goes a long way to boost productivity, increase performance and improve morale among the workforce. Learn how to set new boundaries, ask for support, and re-strategize with your partner about what you need. Virtual talent shows work best when there is a predetermined act order and an emcee to manage the flow. Teammates could also give a short slideshow presentation of their home cities. 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 .