It is a small token of appreciation, but our employees have expressed that they really appreciate the recognition. - Darryl Smith, Founding Partner at Florida Car Accident Lawyer Team, Because of the coronavirus, Kickstand recently implemented more flexible work schedules, including a few mental health hours per week to encourage employees to step away from their computers and recharge during the workday. Recognizing employees is a great way to boost morale and build excitement during spirit week. Even a simple gesture like an appreciation message or thoughtful gifts on valentines Day or anniversaries can make a huge difference. You. So far, people have hosted presentations on their favorite hobby, sports team, family, the country they come from, favorite food, favorite lockdown activity, etc. Many teams are waking up to a new reality of working remotely. But while you're indoors, there's no reason you can't explore your fun and creative side. These activities also make great spring spirit week ideas for work. Here are instructions on changing virtual backgrounds in Zoom, GoogleMeet, and Microsoft Teams. Explore the challenges people face in working from home (and they will differ) and ideas for dealing with them or sharing personal practices that work. This is a great way to begin your team meetings. Full coverage and live updates on the Coronavirus, This is a BETA experience. Thoughtful ways to build community and pride. 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. Recommended Article: Top 102 Employee Recognition Quotes To Celebrate Their Endeavours. by HR professionals across the globe! 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. Themed dress-up days are popular favorites, but they're really just the start. 3. There are few things that employees feel more love for than an extra day of freedom aside from the weekend. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about virtual spirit weeks. It is especially meaningful when the appreciation comes from their bosses. Some leaders consistently interact with those they most easily connect with but may not as readily think of others. 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. 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. 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. It might sound kind of silly, but when the right company SWAG is used- it can have a big impact on building a positive workplace culture. Ask your remote team members to describe their day so far with an emoji or a string of emojis. A viral photo with suggestions for "Homeschool Spirit Week" has been circling social media. After all, who doesn't like a couple of free snacks? Throwing a virtual holiday party is one of the best Christmas spirit week ideas for work. Here are some ideas that seem newly relevant given the constraints of 2020 and beyond. We also have a list of the best remote team outing ideas. Most employees love to learn, and taking a virtual class together is a terrific spirit week idea. The Kaiser Family Foundation found . Due to the physical demands and psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, it's been difficult for many of us to stay physically active. Consider sending your top ten performers off for a day or two at a spa to provide an incentive for continued outstanding performance. This helps your employees feel appreciated on an ongoing basis. Theres nothing quite like desserts and ice cream to alleviate stress. Social Media is the biggest influencer of our generation. Put up fun office anecdotes on the bulletin board. The events should also not take too long to do. To host a virtual talent show, invite teammates to sign up for slots. How to advocate for yourself at work during COVID-19. It is working together that will get us through this time. I hope this article has in some small way helped your and your teams trek through this extraordinary time. Your employees are amazing people with undisclosed talents. Unique SWAG ideas have the power to set your company apart. Halloween is the time of year when employees can showcase their creativity and interact with coworkers they may not normally work closely with. 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. Ensure that everyone gets that attention. 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. Check out more more aboutonline retreat ideas. Photos by Getty Images Plus. 1. Virtual talent shows double as entertainment and team bonding. Plus, you can capture a screenshot of the whole crew dressed up. From theme days to care packages to costume contests, here is a list of fun ways to celebrate spirit weeks in remote offices. While the other appreciation ideas might be feasible for particular projects and day-to-day work, employees will look for something more permanent in the long run. Angela has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and worked as a community manager with Yelp to plan events for businesses. By planning an online retreat for spirit week, you block out employees time and free staff to enjoy the festivities. 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. 1. These activities broaden employees global and cultural horizons while also delighting the teams travel lovers. But heres the thing. Letting employees decorate their workspaces plays an active role in building relationships within the company. Every company has its own perks: fully stocked kitchens, corporate team events, and the latest MacBook Pro. First, either mail employees tea and fancy snacks, or ask attendees to bring their own refreshments and reimburse them for the expense. Its been close to two months since the World Health Organization declared the spread of the novel coronavirus an official pandemic. 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. to Launch During a Pandemic. Get to know your employees and find out what they like so you can give gift cards that are tailored to their interests. Employees thrive at work when they know their contributions have meaning. We All Hate It. Employees should be free to decide where they want to work and when they want to work whenever possible. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your team is to enable them to let off some steam without the pressure to perform. For instance, on sports day, staff can wear jerseys, square off in competitive games, and participate in an online pep rally. A few more things that made it special: The best part about it was everyone participating posting a small list of likes and dislikeswe all got to know each other better through reading those lists and connect over shared interest. Also, of the cocktails on offer, there were a few non-alcoholic punch ideas, for people who dont drink or who wanted to share with a kid, etc. Clarify expectations, for example, of performance, workflow or performance management. 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. After the bartender presentation (which was short) everybody got to chat and enjoy their drinks for some time before saying goodbye. COVID-19 is expected to last for many months, with a potential resurgence in the fall. Your team can decorate their jack-o'-lanterns during break, lunch, or while you hold a team meeting. 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. California-based Chowbotics, has seen an uptick in demand for its fresh food robot "Sally.". For example, theme days, virtual talent shows, and costume contests. You can also use GeoGessr to play a destination-guessing game, or take virtual tours of museums, zoos, and parks together. Make Sure You're COVID Safe. This year, theyre sending a food related gift to our homes and giving us the afternoon off. Breakout Rooms! Spirit week attendees can either make their own backgrounds using Canva or Photoshop, or can download one from online. 1. 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. Without a doubt, getting a specially curated box of snacks will make employees feel happy and contented. 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 . Virtual tea parties are calm yet quirky online events to hold with remote teams. And of course folks could also just log off if they wanted to, with no pressure to spend the rest of the day working. 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. Being a boss, every positive word from you will act as a huge morale booster for your employees. Snacks are a fantastic food item that doesn't require you to get out of your desk when you want to eat something light. Companies all over the world are making their operations remote for the first time to combat the spread of the coronavirus. Not to mention that birthday parties are an opportunity to appreciate peers. Here is an example of a graphic you could use for your games. Take off your coat. 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. Elaine has in-depth knowledge of digital, social, and websites both from a strategic and user . The amount of pay is capped at $511 per day, and $5,110 in total, for employees who are sick or quarantined or who have symptoms. One idea that keeps popping up on our Principal Life Facebook group is the concept of a virtual theme week. Then, send invites to the team. For any related queries, contact editor@vantagecircle.com. Whats Really So Wrong About Secretly Working Two Full-Time Jobs at Once? Open windows, increase circulation, and keep room density as low as possible with fewer people in one space. These morning check-ins, no matter how short are invaluable for maintaining a sense of community, checking in on how team members are doing, and to stay focused on key priorities so that momentum and performance is maintained. Simply ask, how are we doing living up to our agreements?. Then, have one attendee lead the class, or screen share a video routine. For example, Marvel versus DC Comics, the '60s versus the '70s, or Batman and the Joker. A recent study published in Healthcare Design Magazine revealed that "an extreme break room makeover" at one health facility reduced staff "stress and fatigue.". For example, book-binding, instrument-building, ravioli-making, or makeup lessons with a drag queen. Its expensive to recruit a new worker. From year-end reporting to employee paystubs, check out these payroll tips and tricks. 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. 4. Dress-up days find a niche at busy offices; employees can show up in costume but still get tons of work done. The knowledge that there is a whole day dedicated to employee appreciation should let you know its significance. To make your company memorable in a sea of forgettable mugs. These events help boost company pride. Shared items such a candy jars, cereal boxes, and containers of nuts should be removed for the safety of all workers. Add some seriously "tricked out" kitchens on each floor of their facilities. Keeping a workplace safe during the COVID-19 pandemic can be challenging. Perhaps to no ones surprise, drinking seems to be quite popular this year, and some companies have figured out how to incorporate it into remote events. At checkout the price was zero and you couldnt even enter a tip. Some employees even showcased their talents liveranging from musical performances to cake baking to cat training. The Ultimate Guide to Employee Rewards and Recognition. Or, if you hold virtual escape rooms or similar games, then include puzzles. Petit fours, miniature cupcakes, and macarons are the best tea party desserts, and finger sandwiches are another staple. A lot. 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. To establish team norms, ask: What behaviors and practices are most important right now to our teams effectiveness?. The sudden need to adapt to these changes during COVID has given rise to new challenges that range from work-life stress, disparities in employees' ability to work from home effectively, and the increased need for employers to support worker safety, health, and well-being both at work and outside the traditional work environment. Aside from regular appreciation, you can ensure that your employees feel valued on important occasions, such as by sending Thanksgiving messages to employees. The week before your work at home spirit week, mail boxes full of goodies to team members. Chances are, your company has one too. The consulting group McKinsey & Co. surveyed 1,000 employers , and 90 percent reported that the pandemic was affecting the behavioral health of their employees. If you work in an industry where teamwork is crucial, sudden orders to . For this event, ask team members to pick a side of a classic rivalry game and dress to match. Simmonds was blown away by . Getting your own parking space is a highly coveted idea to really recognize your employees for doing a great job. All This Talk About Quiet Quitting Is Absurd. Look at yourself in the mirror. Instead of taking the stage, performers share their acts during a video call. You might find that employee appreciation becomes a tad bit easier and a whole lot more fun. 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. 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. Before the . Wed all ooooh and ahhh, and laugh. Its a way for us to provide food and a gathering without being on-site and in groups. Why not recognize these incredible non-work achievements in front of their peers? Hosting online costume contests is one of the best spirit week dress up ideas for work. For some, it's Christmas and Valentine's Day; for others, it's a birthday. By hosting your fundraisers online, you can reach new supporters both near and far from your school without needing to leave your desk. Virtual Breakout Rooms are ideal for teams that need to brush up on their collaboration, problem-solving, and creative thinking skills. She had such a creative way for putting a holiday spin on our corporate branding, and theyre going to be a big hit! Celebrated on the first Friday in March, it pays homage to each employee's contribution to their company. Adults need 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity activity such as brisk walking for health benefits. Superhero Academy is equal parts fun, intellectual, and competitive. It is easier than ever to show your appreciation from the monthly Netflix fix to news and magazines. Recommended Case Study: Indias Largest Telecom Company Boosts their Global Employee Engagement with Vantage Rewards. Then, plan festive activities to enjoy together during the call. Once the awards end, you can email digital certificates and e-gift cards to recipients, or mail trophies and paper awards to their houses. First, choose a date and send a video meeting link to your colleagues. Spirit weeks often involve games. So, it's essential to consider this less of an idea and more of a thing that you have to do eventually. Trivia can be a good way to help teams relax, inspire conversation and build relationships. Some are great artists, while some spend their time doing charity work. The disease is extremely contagious, yet many infected people are asymptomatic, and patterns of transmission are not always clear. Successful fundraising during a recession is two-pronged: Focus hard on donor engagement and retention, and For inspiration, check out our lists of online cooking classes and online art classes. Get advice from seasoned professionals about all your compliance questions and concerns. From open enrollment to building a benefits package, we've got you covered. Hear clients' stories and learn how they're building a better workplace with Namely. Why not see which team has the most steps or ran the furthest distance this week? The intensive schedule prevents routine responsibilities from interrupting the fun, and permits employees to focus on recharging and team bonding. Recommended Article: The Ultimate Guide To Employee Rewards and Recognition. Its hard to replicate daily interactions with co-workers, casual encounters by the water cooler, or after-work drinks, but we are encouraging our employees to find time for virtual coffees, lunches, or even happy hours with their colleagues. - William Taylor, Career Development Manager at Velvetjobs, Something that has really helped us keep spirits up is our Slack 'meme' channel where we encourage everyone to post the best memes they find throughout the day. Some ideas include: Characters from a favorite movie If done in person, they provide a safer pandemic option because you share the room only with the people in your party. In uncertain times, one thing is certain with fundraisingthe more you plan, the better off you will be. 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. You can also offer a myriad of health benefits. Why not put a reminder in your diary when you plan to finish working? Priorities. One of the simplest and most popular solutions has been virtual happy hours. A crisis like this can either break ateamdown and widen any cracks in its foundation, or it canresult in the emergence of true greatness. Recommended Article: 50 Best Words of Appreciation for Employees. Support families to. Its common knowledge that people love gift cards. Murder mysteries are games that require participants to play a character while solving a mystery. Also, remember to turn your phone off. Meetings and frequent check-ins both with the whole team and individual team members need to sit at the top of your to-do list. Sally can whip up a variety of cold meals, including salads, grain bowls and yogurt. Thus becoming one of the best employee engagement activities that you can invest in. #StayStrongWF Spirit Week April 6-10. Host fun team games to play with your team members. 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. Your objectives for the meeting will be to: Note: This is not a meeting to be rushed. Virtual spirit week ideas are ways to celebrate the occasion with remote teams. 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. An extra day off can mean a whole lot of possibilities to overworked and overstressed employees. 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. If you have to be indoors, consider air flow. Coronavirus has put a particular national spotlight on unmet needs of the growing older population in our country, and the tens of millions of overstretched family and professional caregivers they . The essence of spirit week is enthusiasm, not physical proximity. Simply gear each day's activities around a particular topic. They are great team members. Research says that the primary cause of employees leaving their jobs is the lack of appreciation. You can celebrate the spirit of a challenge in your Spirit Week by hosting a Versus Day. It can range from conducting regular health check-ups, yoga sessions, dentist appointments, and offering health insurance. Sending care packages to your remote teams builds buzz for the event and lets your employees know you care about them. Their diaries are told in words and. Online fundraising allows you to make a big impact even if your team is limited in members or budget. Many a time, they'll bring that positivity and enthusiasm back to the workplace. Team members can challenge each other voluntarily. Now 48% Off. 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. The tours could happen on a single day, or throughout the week. After your holiday meal, go on a virtual group walk through your respective neighborhoods to work off the food. It doesnt have to be cocktail focused. 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 . Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best ones. 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. Today's employees seek recognition and rewards based on the career advancement that they want. You could even include dessert decorating packs, tasting assortments, or craft kits. Show Your Appreciation. Simply post a different game or prompt on the company social channels every day, and instruct employees to respond using a special hashtag. 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.
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