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

This will make them feel like a part of your business and not just a mere employee. Finally going on a picnic with their loved ones. Check out our list of the best online murder mysteries. 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 the latest news from Namely about HR, payroll, and benefits. 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. For instance, on sports day, staff can wear jerseys, square off in competitive games, and participate in an online pep rally. Look at yourself in the mirror. Encourage team members to do the same. 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. A dynamic host facilitates this 90 minute virtual team building event with a trusty virtual sidekick. 2. These activities broaden employees global and cultural horizons while also delighting the teams travel lovers. Hands-on Experiences: 1. So far, people have hosted presentations on their favorite hobby, sports team, family, the country they come from, favorite food, favorite lockdown activity, etc. 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. 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. Full coverage and live updates on the Coronavirus, This is a BETA experience. Remote teammates can enjoy a show while learning more about coworkers special skills and abilities. 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. 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!). But some employers have devised celebrations that will keep people safe and actually sound fun (even to this curmudgeon). Our division is doing a holiday drive-in movie and renting out a drive-in theater for the evening. Outdoor days are one of the best summer spirit week ideas for work. Half of the box contained things like hand sanitizer, gloves, masks, and other health-related products to help us stay safe. Do I really have to go at all? Teammates can vote using the poll feature in your video meeting platform, and you can send the winner a prize. Why not recognize these incredible non-work achievements in front of their peers? Record and report COVID-19 infections and deaths: Under mandatory OSHA rules in 29 CFR part 1904, employers are required to record work-related cases of COVID-19 illness on OSHA's Form 300 logs if the following requirements are met: (1) the case is a confirmed case of COVID-19; (2) the case is work-related (as defined by 29 CFR 1904.5); and . Show your employees some love by making sure that the snacks provided are healthy and nutritious. Sally can whip up a variety of cold meals, including salads, grain bowls and yogurt. Online workouts serve the dual purpose of adding exercise and peer-to-peer interaction into remote workers sedentary, solitary workdays. These activities also make great spring spirit week ideas for work. We all know that employees are the most valuable asset for a business. They are the first to arrive. Who doesnt love free food? 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. The essence of spirit week is enthusiasm, not physical proximity. For instance, plan a short gentle stretch, a high-intensity cardio routine, and a themed yoga class at different time slots throughout the day. 1. Simple ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in your workplace But follow the 33 employee appreciation ideas articulated in this article. Another good team-building activity is a virtual workshop or workout class. 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. 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. Online fundraising allows you to make a big impact even if your team is limited in members or budget. Wishing you and your team health and tranquility. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the federal government (OSHA) has provided detailed guidelinesfor workplace safety policies. Getting your own parking space is a highly coveted idea to really recognize your employees for doing a great job. 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. These events help boost company pride. 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. Then, send invites to the team. Every company has its own perks: fully stocked kitchens, corporate team events, and the latest MacBook Pro. Part of the fun of spirit week is pretending, and murder mysteries cast participants in the roles of cunning detectives. 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. Most employees love to learn, and taking a virtual class together is a terrific spirit week idea. Find ways to start each day with positive energy and a sense of community. 32. But we must also address the negative impact of isolation loneliness, fatigue or even . To make your company memorable in a sea of forgettable mugs. For example, Marvel versus DC Comics, the '60s versus the '70s, or Batman and the Joker. Thoughtful ways to build community and pride. Not my cup of tea but a lot of people seemed to like it! Social Media is the biggest influencer of our generation. Why not see which team has the most steps or ran the furthest distance this week? In turn, healthier employees produce better results for their companies. Team members can challenge each other voluntarily. Revamp your break room. Why not expend the effort necessary to retain the staff that you have already painfully recruited and hired? The other half consisted of beer (or non-alcoholic drinks), snacks, tea, and homemade salsa. The top reason why the people enjoyed coming to work was because of "feeling appreciated.". Interesting work matter only if you have good food while youre doing it. 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 . InDirect Report, she spotlights themes from her inbox that help explain the modern workplace and how we could be navigating it better. Whether you're looking for help communicating COVID safety guidelines to your guests, searching for face masks for couples and guests (so you can look stylish while complying with guidelines from the WHO and CDC) or are in need of a cute social distancing sign, we've got you covered (literally! Many of us now look forward to Mondays because of these hilarious crosswords! From theme days to care packages to costume contests, here is a list of fun ways to celebrate spirit weeks in remote offices. They had a selection that included non-alcoholic mixes too (like a ginger lemonade). Here come's the most impactful one in our list of employee appreciation ideas. Get to know your employees and find out what they like so you can give gift cards that are tailored to their interests. Employees should be free to decide where they want to work and when they want to work whenever possible. Give your entire team a chance to express their creativity with baby pumpkins, acrylic paints, and free pumpkin stencils. You can also offer a myriad of health benefits. Want to submit a guest post? December is the most obvious time to throw a virtual holiday party. Everything you need to build a better workplace. For this event, ask team members to pick a side of a classic rivalry game and dress to match. For example, new employees should receive a buddy to learn the ropes. 1. 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. After all, who doesn't like a couple of free snacks? Get the latest news from Namely about HR, Payroll, and Benefits. Check out more more aboutonline retreat ideas. Remote team games like holiday Bingo, trivia, and scavenger hunts get guests moving and invoke the holiday spirit. Letting employees decorate their workspaces plays an active role in building relationships within the company. Share funny videos, do some riddles and brainsteasers, put music on in the background. Were all pretty pumped about it. To begin with, publicly recognizing great employees reflects well on your company for customers, investors, and your team. 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. 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. The cost of commuting is heavily influenced by the location of the workplace relative to where the employee lives. If your office normally does Secret Santa or Yankee Swap gift exchanges, you can keep it going this year too. 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. Contains 5 ml. While employee appreciation may seem a bit heavy on the pockets, the bottom line is that it will lead to several long-term benefits. Heres some of what people reported. Streaming service subscriptions. Halloween is the time of year when employees can showcase their creativity and interact with coworkers they may not normally work closely with. Gather the kids and create Paper Mice, Halloween skull jewelry, and more. Ensure that everyone gets that attention. Ask each person to share one word to describe how they are feeling in. Research says that the primary cause of employees leaving their jobs is the lack of appreciation. 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. If done in person, they provide a safer pandemic option because you share the room only with the people in your party. To keep our employees motivated, we are encouraging and hosting virtual social time. Be Intentional About Communications It's crucial that leaders don't get sucked into the. Employees thrive at work when they know their contributions have meaning. And encouraging a cake culture can never be a bad thing. Mask up. But there is one occasion that should be praised with the same level of spirit and vigor as the restthe work anniversary. Click here to find out how. Employees respond to appreciation expressed by recognizing their good work because it confirms that their work is valued by others. But employees with a few years of experience should be matched with a career mentor to help them grow in their position. 2022 Todos los derechos reservados. Make it a fun and memorable experience. From relaxing countryside walks to exciting challenges, your staff will have the time of their lives. When the class arrives, learn together, and be sure to snap plenty of screenshots. Unorthodox corporate perks such as trips to hike near a volcano or dive with dolphins are an increasingly powerful way to attract, retain and motivate top talent. Unique SWAG ideas have the power to set your company apart. 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. Declaring theme days is one of the easiest spirit week ideas for work from home. Teams complete comic-book-themed riddles and puzzles and virtual minute-to-win-it challenges to climb the leaderboard and save the world. Thus, make it easier for team members to congratulate each other on a job well done. Virtual talent shows work best when there is a predetermined act order and an emcee to manage the flow. Even a small gesture like a "thank you" goes a long way to boost productivity, increase performance and improve morale among the workforce. Just beware of overdosing on sugar. Although workplace benefits help keep employees happy, they rarely tend to spark inspiration. Gift cards allow people to purchase whatever they want from their favorite brands. You could even include dessert decorating packs, tasting assortments, or craft kits. You can supplement your on-the-clock remote spirit week activities with fun social media challenges. 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. Some good virtual spirit week ideas include virtual talent shows, Zoom spirit week backgrounds, online award shows, and theme days. The purpose of online spirit weeks is to boost employee engagement and morale. Also, they grow more motivated to maintain or improve their good work. These small everyday gestures can come off as a pleasant surprise and make employees feel valued. All rights reserved. Here are instructions on changing virtual backgrounds in Zoom, GoogleMeet, and Microsoft Teams. Whats the Word on The Street? Take off your coat. The knowledge that there is a whole day dedicated to employee appreciation should let you know its significance. Recommended Article: Gift Cards Make For The Perfect Employee Rewards. I write about how to improve team and leadership performance. Hosting this year has been no small featand the biggest party season of all is almost here. 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. Make the day memorable by organizing outside barbecues or small office parties. Then, have one attendee lead the class, or screen share a video routine. 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. It all started with a group chat. The events should also not take too long to do. Dessert buffets are fun and positively addicting. A recent study published in Healthcare Design Magazine revealed that "an extreme break room makeover" at one health facility reduced staff "stress and fatigue.". Between the confetti, balloons, and cake, office birthday parties are always fun to organize. Sometimes, the utmost appreciation that an employee seeks is a promotion in his job role. Now more than ever, we need to lean on each other for support. Things to consider when you and your employees travel 4. We, humans, are emotional creatures. This time has been invaluable to the team as they had been feeling scattered, stressed, and disconnected. It definitely is the easiest and quickest Zoom icebreaker out there. Offering free meals and caffeine is actually a highly effective and cost-effective means of motivating and controlling young employees. In order to position your company as one where people really want to work, your company SWAG items had better reflect that. Experiences, not cash, are the new corporate bonus. Video game consoles. 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.