spirit week ideas for work during covid

The team that plays together bonds better. From theme days to care packages to costume contests, here is a list of fun ways to celebrate spirit weeks in remote offices. In times of isolation it can be very difficult to stay on top of where everyone is at. Plan out your meals and snacks ahead of time, such as at the beginning of the week or workday. InDirect Report, she spotlights themes from her inbox that help explain the modern workplace and how we could be navigating it better. Remote team games like holiday Bingo, trivia, and scavenger hunts get guests moving and invoke the holiday spirit. 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. Your team can decorate their jack-o'-lanterns during break, lunch, or while you hold a team meeting. A recent study published in Healthcare Design Magazine revealed that "an extreme break room makeover" at one health facility reduced staff "stress and fatigue.". Wed have the holiday party on Zoom, where folks would open what they had received from their gift giver. Therefore it's a win-win situation. It is easier than ever to show your appreciation from the monthly Netflix fix to news and magazines. These small everyday gestures can come off as a pleasant surprise and make employees feel valued. 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. Having direct access to a mentor gives junior professionals valuable one-on-one training. Heres some of what people reported. But we must also address the negative impact of isolation loneliness, fatigue or even . The consulting group McKinsey & Co. surveyed 1,000 employers , and 90 percent reported that the pandemic was affecting the behavioral health of their employees. The employee experience is better, and the company's outcome stronger. 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. Subjects should be fun and non-work related. 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. 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. But heres the thing. But some employers have devised celebrations that will keep people safe and actually sound fun (even to this curmudgeon). This will allow team members to truly appreciate each other, leading to better team building. Letting employees decorate their workspaces plays an active role in building relationships within the company. Vantage Circle. We have 30+ experiences to choose from, and thousands of five star reviews. 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. When employees feel that their work is valued, their satisfaction and productivity rise. Instead of taking the stage, performers share their acts during a video call. Find ways to start each day with positive energy and a sense of community. Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best ones. If your office normally does Secret Santa or Yankee Swap gift exchanges, you can keep it going this year too. Online retreats are company gatherings that take place online. Just to say hi and check how they are doing. Your objectives for the meeting will be to: Note: This is not a meeting to be rushed. Dress-up days are one of the main events during spirit days at schools and offices. Online workouts serve the dual purpose of adding exercise and peer-to-peer interaction into remote workers sedentary, solitary workdays. Get advice from seasoned professionals about all your compliance questions and concerns. 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 . For instance, take their opinion during decisions like on-boarding new technology or a specific project. Murder mysteries are games that require participants to play a character while solving a mystery. Give your entire team a chance to express their creativity with baby pumpkins, acrylic paints, and free pumpkin stencils. An escape room Escape room activities are available virtually and in person. 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. Avoid the cafeteria as it can be very distracting. It's run by a different division each week to encourage everyone to get involved and has been a fun way to spend a few hoursand a welcome distraction. - Anna Barker, Founder at LogicalDollar, I arranged a remote talent show for our team. But when you thank them for their efforts, it can be a heart-melting moment to inspire respect for you and the business. 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. Encourage healthy work-life balance by modeling healthy boundaries around time spent working and time off. Outdoor days are one of the best summer spirit week ideas for work. Get Competitive. Here are instructions on changing virtual backgrounds in Zoom, GoogleMeet, and Microsoft Teams. Its been close to two months since the World Health Organization declared the spread of the novel coronavirus an official pandemic. Who doesnt love free food? 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. Declaring theme days is one of the easiest spirit week ideas for work from home. A viral photo with suggestions for "Homeschool Spirit Week" has been circling social media. Honestly, Im really pleased with this decision over trying to make a Zoom party happen. We've had a few teams compete in virtual relays, races, or step challenges using free apps to log steps, distance ran/cycled, etc. This year, theyre sending a food related gift to our homes and giving us the afternoon off. The disease is extremely contagious, yet many infected people are asymptomatic, and patterns of transmission are not always clear. Thoughtful ways to build community and pride. 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. This helps us all get out of our heads to have a little fun during the workday. - Sam Williamson, co-owner of CBDiablo, Were encouraging employees to stay active by challenging their coworkers. Look at yourself in the mirror. 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. Call in a local food truck specializing in the cuisine and make it mandatory for people to take a break and eat a taco. But to make them feel valued is what employees think is the most important. Their office is infused with fun, including random Razor scooters available to any staff who think better while in motion. 3 Ways Tech Company Sysomos Transformed Employee Experience, 5 Tips to Implement Summer Work Schedules, 6 Design Ideas to Create an Inspiring Work Environment. Once the votes are in, book the top ranking classes. Keeping a workplace safe during the COVID-19 pandemic can be challenging. The cups were all the same so no one could tell what you were drinking unless you commented on it. First, create a Slack channel for the games. Simple ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in your workplace 2. Team costumes Whether you're a team of two or twenty, you can dress up in team costumes for Halloween. Find out how to shape a culture that attracts, engages, Keep Little Hands Busy. Recommended Article: 50 Best Words of Appreciation for Employees. 1. You might feel anxious about: Your own safety and the safety of others. Get the resources. Vantage Circle. After all, who doesn't like a couple of free snacks? Should I bring a date? During the call, participants can chat and play fun games, or co-work while enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. The thing that giants like Google and Airbnb have understood is that the physical environment of the office matters. 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. 1. Simply post a different game or prompt on the company social channels every day, and instruct employees to respond using a special hashtag. Then, send invites to the team. Make sure you exchange emails with a volunteer coordinator or call before you . Team building content expert. Remote teammates can enjoy a show while learning more about coworkers special skills and abilities. 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. You can arrange for office taxis or subsidized bus fares so that commute becomes a tad bit easier on their pockets. Declaring theme days is one of the easiest spirit week ideas for work from home. Simply gear each day's activities around a particular topic. 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. Heightened communication is necessary, not only to keep your remote team productively focused, but because the sudden move from the workplace to a home space can take an emotional toll on people when they no longer have the social contact with work friends and colleagues. 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. It can range from conducting regular health check-ups, yoga sessions, dentist appointments, and offering health insurance. To keep our employees motivated, we are encouraging and hosting virtual social time. 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. Revamp your break room. Remote teams can dress up for remote meetings, even if their outfits wont be on display all day. The benefit of virtual dress up days is that employees can don elaborate costumes without worrying about travel, comfort, or attracting strange stares in Starbucks. How to be a good coworker and leader during this crisis. You might be worried about keeping yourself safe from coronavirus. Halloween is the time of year when employees can showcase their creativity and interact with coworkers they may not normally work closely with. In uncertain times, one thing is certain with fundraisingthe more you plan, the better off you will be. And what could be better for this purpose than to offer E-Learning options? Even a simple gesture like an appreciation message or thoughtful gifts on valentines Day or anniversaries can make a huge difference. Or you might feel concerned about the health of others, such as those who you care for or live with. One of the simplest and most popular solutions has been virtual happy hours. Better still, if this praise comes in front of their team members, colleagues, and peers. This is a stressful time to say the least. Clear your schedule for at least an hour. Also, remember to turn your phone off. I write about how to improve team and leadership performance. Daily Dose of Kindness (sent daily) Weekly Kindness Idea (sent weekly) General Newsletter (for everyone) General Newsletter (for educators) Whats Working/Whats Not? Or, you can use an app like Donut to match up opponents, and pairs can play games instead of scheduling a video chat. A great employee appreciation idea that gives day-to-day benefits is providing assigned parking spaces. Celebrating employee birthdays never gets old. Vantage Circle. Following recommendations from the CDC, we've put together some helpful guide to navigating Christmas during Covid this year. Unique SWAG ideas have the power to set your company apart. Plus, you can capture a screenshot of the whole crew dressed up. 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. Plus, you could throw virtual parties for any holiday. Whats Really So Wrong About Secretly Working Two Full-Time Jobs at Once? There are many fun online activities that suit an international or travel-themed spirit week or spirit day. You can even turn your staff into the bartending experts: We had a party earlier this year where there was one big Zoom call, and then we broke out into a set of breakout rooms where colleagues had volunteered to teach others how to make their favorite cocktail. Learn more about virtual costume contests. Some employees even showcased their talents liveranging from musical performances to cake baking to cat training. Ensure time is spent checking in on the teams main priorities - any urgent issues that need to be addressed? "We're encouraging employees to stay active by challenging their coworkers. to Launch During a Pandemic. It might sound cliche, but small courtesies like a boss saying thank you to the team members can make a huge difference. Whether they worked late to get the job done, blew past their sales goal, or volunteering at a local shelter, give employees the credit they deserve. Then, have one attendee lead the class, or screen share a video routine. Make Sure You're COVID Safe. This activity won't cause too much distraction or mess. The Internet might be intermittent in these spots, so you can also give teammates the option of joining via phone audio instead of mobile video app. Have regular check ins with individual team members. Here are 15 office ideas for Halloween: 1. An extra day off can mean a whole lot of possibilities to overworked and overstressed employees. 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. He expressed that business leaders need to develop a structured and approach to mentoring. If done in person, they provide a safer pandemic option because you share the room only with the people in your party. 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. Hosting online costume contests is one of the best spirit week dress up ideas for work. Priorities. Even a small gesture like a "thank you" goes a long way to boost productivity, increase performance and improve morale among the workforce. For more tournament ideas, check out our list of Slack games. Slack game tournaments are great ideas for virtual spirit weeks. Check out more more aboutonline retreat ideas. Mask up. Most employees love to learn, and taking a virtual class together is a terrific spirit week idea.

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