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. Illustration: Aaliyah McNeal/BizBash. This can have an even bigger impact when you’re working remotely, as when you’re not there to receive a simple thanks in person, it can feel like your efforts have gone unnoticed. Coronavirus. You know what it’s like. Checking-in with others is certainly proving to be a best practice during this pandemic. Related: Seven Ways to Boost Employee Morale. 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!). For additional ideas, check out our article: Employee Engagement - Why is it Important and How to Build it? The challenges posed to business by the novel coronavirus are unprecedented, but CEOs can help keep spirits up with the following tips. No matter where you are, you’re never far from great volunteer opportunities. Drive virtual attendance and engagement with unique experiences that go beyond virtual. With visits to senior communities halted, out of sight doesn't have to be out of mind 1. Perhaps the consensus is that mental health needs to be prioritized, or maybe employees need assistance supporting the seniors in their life. Maintaining high employee morale is certainly challenging during a global crisis, but it’s not impossible to achieve. Find out what the future of work will look like: Is flexible and remote work here to stay? For three hours per week, staff can sign off anytime during the workday for rest and wellbeing, no questions asked. Happy employees will work harder. We’ve found that this is key to recreating that ‘Friday feeling’ during lockdown.” - Nushy Rose, Managing Editor at Parlia. Virtual Team Bonding. The other half consisted of beer (or non-alcoholic drinks), snacks, tea, and homemade salsa. It's not only a nice little project to focus on, but gives us something to talk about that's not work or coronavirus. If thoughts of illness consume the minds of workers, then it will be challenging for them to remain productive and optimistic during the workweek. We regularly share the progress our sunflowers are making. Get the latest news from Namely about HR, Payroll, and Benefits. Many teachers say that’s the No. Hoppier virtual spending cards enable your participants to order breakfast, drinks, lunch from their favorite restaurants in minutes – a surefire way to boost remote employee morale! According to a survey by Zenefits, 77% of workers highlight flexible work arrangements as a major consideration in their job searches. From year-end reporting to employee paystubs, check out these payroll tips and tricks. As we continue to safely social distance during the COVID-19 pandemic, the NWACC Counseling & Wellness Center has compiled a list of creative ways to spend some of your newfound free time. But the lack of staff morale affects your company in more ways than you can expect. Get advice from seasoned professionals about all your compliance questions and concerns. 17 Ways to Boost Employee Morale During COVID-19 That Aren’t Happy Hours, celebrate employee milestones virtually here, general tricks for managing your remote workforce here. Encourage and Host Virtual Social Time. By now, your people are adapting to the temporary COVID-19 working conditions and/or shutdowns. These aren't the only ways to boost your virtual team's morale during COVID-19 and beyond. Half of the box contained things like hand sanitizer, gloves, masks, and other health-related products to help us stay safe. “We have these events called ‘campfires’ that take place twice a week. As the uncertainties caused by COVID-19 continue to disrupt work environments, business leaders must be mindful of how they can improve employees’ mental health and morale. Terms & While event and meeting professionals across North America are … This helps us all get out of our heads to have a little fun during the workday.” - Sam Williamson, co-owner of CBDiablo, “We’re encouraging employees to stay active by challenging their coworkers. Login . Improve Sleep: Tips to Improve Your Sleep When Times Are Tough. For staff accustomed … This is a great way to end the week on a positive note. Walk-and-Talk Meetings. There are many simple, yet powerful, techniques you can use to instantly boost employee morale.  Discover 8 Key Benefits of Employee Wellness Programs! Does your company use a messaging platform to connect with each other? Many of the ideas … In this podcast, McKinsey’s Tom Welchman discusses several issues that leaders can keep in mind as they try to support employees and help them adjust to the next normal. Twitter. It is no secret that COVID-19 has created struggles for many companies... #2 Improve access to resources. Acknowledging some occasional non-work-related news is completely acceptable. Fortunately, video software such as Zoom and GoToMeeting make virtual interactions easy. How Leaders Can Use Virtual Team-Building Activities to Boost Company Morale. If a company leader is exuding stress and frustration, it is likely that employees will model this behavior as well. During this time of transition to remote work, the staff will look to leadership for reassurance, empathy, and guidance. Rebecca Lundin Jun 18, 2020. COVID-19 is changing the way we do business, from transforming our buying decisions to shifting where we work every day.Many companies are instituting mandatory work from home policies during the pandemic, and this abrupt change can be isolating and jarring for employees accustomed to coming into an office every day. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 5 Ways to Maintain Morale for On-site Employees During COVID-19. And that’s especially true today. Everything you need to build a better workplace. Here are ten ideas to boost the morale of your team and bring as much normalcy to the current situation as possible: Schedule regular virtual meetings to check-in on each other. As a company leader, now might be a good time to revisit existing healthcare programs and consider additional measures that can be taken to protect employees. Providing flexibility when it comes to work hours might be helpful. Listen attentively. A Guide to Promoting Health Care Workforce Well-Being During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic. Instead, increase vacation days and add a bonus for employees who truly take a time-out -- no work email, no phone calls, no laptop on the beach. No matter how down in the dumps your team is, these techniques are guaranteed to … The shift to remote work can leave employees feeling isolated due to the lack of human interaction they would normally experience in-office. Acknowledge that there is a … So how do you make your workers happy? How Principals and District Leaders Are Trying to Boost Lagging Teacher Morale During COVID-19 By Catherine Gewertz — May 08, 2020 7 min read Economic Security during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Healthy Work Design and Well-being Perspective. Just yesterday, we had a “mohawk off” … It’s the little things – like strong communication, increased flexibility, and good access to resources – that show that you care. Ideas include a themed potluck or special dessert, dressing up for holidays, or planning an ­outing to a restaurant or park. The best way to combat feelings of isolation and increase morale is by keeping employees connected. Sign up here to get the day’s top stories delivered straight to your inbox. Encourage Openness and Honesty. We all need to eat, and good food costs money. The people and companies that are shaping ideas about how companies should be run. Why not see which team has the most steps or ran the furthest distance this week? 00:00. In fact, many employees may appreciate that their opinion is considered in the decision-making process. Keep them happy by implementing ideas from this list. This not only emulates a common business activity, but it is a great way for employees to get better acquainted with those that they don’t normally work with. With the rise of uncertainty and change, some employees might be experiencing bouts of low morale. To gain insight into your employees’ needs, just reach out to them. Keep lines of communication open. Also, it’s really great to take your mind off the news that we are surrounded with every day. Form a Culture Committee. With mandated quarantine and remote working policies in place, many employees find that their everyday routines have been flipped upside down. As the uncertainties caused by COVID-19 continue to disrupt work environments, business leaders must be mindful of how they can improve employees’ mental health and morale. 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 hours—and a welcome distraction.” - Anna Barker, Founder at LogicalDollar, “I arranged a remote talent show for our team. Megan Doleweerd is a Marketing Coordinator at InFlight. Many businesses are struggling to stay afloat amid declining revenue, while others have closed indefinitely. From offering company learning days to bringing in a marching band (yes, tubas and all), try these 25 ideas to boost morale. 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. Additionally, if some employees aren’t as responsive when it comes to answering emails or messages, consider cutting them some slack. Not only will these activities promote engagement among employees, but staff can use these meetings as opportunities to share their own tips for managing quarantine. by Linda Dono, AARP, March 17, 2020 | … Employee Milestone Celebrations. During this time, one team member has 60 minutes to talk about their favorite subject while others listen and ask questions. While it can be easy to turn inwards in times of panic, it is critical that company leaders avoid this behavior. When your workforce is dispersed, it’s especially important to keep your employees engaged. We also included some essential office supplies to ensure our employees have everything they need to work remotely.” - Stuart Cook, Marketing Manager at My Baggage, “My company recently delivered a care package to all employees with a mix of fun and useful items. April 30, 2020 . Quartz at Work reporter . This could include a new sale that was made, a special story or comment from a customer, or a new partnership with another company. I also personally feel that it's boosting my wellbeing and brightening my day. So take it upon yourself to boost employee morale. When your workforce is separated, it is critical that efforts are made to keep employees engaged. So far, people have hosted presentations on their favorite hobby, sports team, family, the country they come from, favorite food, favorite lockdown activity, etc. Nearly every business has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in some way. Some employees may miss having lunch with their colleagues and this is a great way to keep the tradition going. We’ve had a few teams compete in virtual relays, races, or step challenges using free apps to log steps, distance ran/cycled, etc. It is nearly impossible to avoid the topic online, on TV, or at work. One of the fastest-growing memes for companies in the suddenly enormous world of telecommuting is the “virtual happy hour.” The idea of setting up a way for work buddies to remotely tipple in digital unity at the end of the day has taken hold rapidly as CEOs search for ways to keep employees engaged and calm while toiling at home and trying to get to the other side of the coronavirus crisis. If companies can implement flexible work policies now and sustain them beyond the COVID-19 crisis, they might have more success appealing to job candidates and acquiring talent down the road. Handwritten cards and letters are more special than ever, perhaps because electronic communication... 2. Facebook. “To keep our employees motivated, we are encouraging and hosting virtual social time. We asked HR practitioners, via the SHRM Connect online community and LinkedIn, to share their ideas for easy, affordable ways to boost morale in the work environment. We gathered the top employee morale tips, tricks, and ideas from businesses around the world. In most cases, employees admire company leaders and look to them during times of crisis. Hosting weekly or periodic video conferences to keep employees up to date on COVID-19 facts is essential. By Catherine Gewertz — May 08, 2020 7 min read. Denise Graziano - March 23, 2020. Feed your employees good food. From worrying about one’s health to worrying about job security, some employees might be feeling overwhelmed at times. 7 Ways to Boost Your Loved One's Morale During the Coronavirus Epidemic With visits to senior communities halted, out of sight doesn't have to be out of mind. 5 Ways to Maintain Morale for On-site Employees During COVID-19 Acknowledging other milestones shows that you care about your employees’ personal growth as well as their professional growth. 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. By Lila MacLellan. Having a departmental outing or party can boost morale." However, there are a few things that you can do to boost morale among your employees and promote a positive employee experience. We are in the middle of very unusual time. It’s been close to two months since the World Health Organization declared the spread of the novel coronavirus an official pandemic. From communicating tips for keeping kids occupied to discussing favorite shows to watch on Netflix, this will certainly boost the office camaraderie as employees are physically apart. When it comes to boosting employee morale, some companies just don't get it. Click here to find out how. But there are ways to help reduce costs and, hopefully, avoid permanent layoffs and store closures. Explain in emails or team video calls,... 2. During stressful situations, it’s important to have a plan in place for how you’ll communicate with your employees. 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. Be visible and vocal. Some employees might be managing young children, some might be caring for a frail parent, and others might have their own health complications that put them in a vulnerable state. Second, consider sharing employee wins with the team. Virtual dance parties and Slack contests : How ad firms are boosting employee morale during the coronavirus lockdown For our workers who have never worked from home, social isolation is deeply felt. Daily checklist for communication during the crisis: 1. Consider setting up a survey to ask questions about their health concerns. So have a little perspective when it comes to the work your employees do. As an employer, it is important to understand that this is a natural consequence of a global crisis. Here are five steps you can take to lift morale and usher your workers through a period of great stress. These activities are based on our Skills for Life programmes. Keeping employees in the dark will only enhance feelings of worry and concern. This is perfect for allowing employees to discuss any COVID-19 related banter and news that they discover. Show gratitude and facilitate social time to boost morale ... to protect people against the virus. Hear clients' stories and learn how they're building a better workplace with Namely. For instance, all employees may now require a new video calling software, a VPN, a headset, or a different laptop and monitor setup. Dopamine stimulates the feeling of pride and joy, in turn, improving work ethic and productivity. Check out 3 inspiring examples of great leadership during COVID-19 and learn from Airbnb, Marriott and Walmart! 1 thing keeping them afloat during this unpredictable school year. Fortunately, there are many strategies available to keep your employees connected – no matter where they are located. 3 Ways Tech Company Sysomos Transformed Employee Experience, 15 Office Birthday Ideas to Celebrate Employees, How to Boost Employee Morale During COVID-19. But it’s … 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 we’re apart, my company has been hosting virtual trivia nights every week. 1. 11 ways to boost morale in a COVID world IT leaders are shaking up IT strategies and altering their approaching to leading their teams, introducing new methods for motivating and rewarding remotely. Try to err on the side of communicating more frequently than you need to, even if nothing new is happening. Here are some proactive steps to take to bolster productivity and morale. Work-Style Adaptability. Get the latest news from Namely about HR, payroll, and benefits. It takes guts to pitch a product or service to strangers. ©2020 Namely, Inc. All rights reserved. It’s hard to argue against the fact that recognition feels good. Ensure that your employees have access to adequate healthcare resources so they can gain support if they are affected by COVID-19 or another health complication. 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. 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. It is important for employees to know that there are still opportunities available and successes to be had during this crisis. Group Volunteer Opportunities. At the end of the day, taking steps to boost employee morale will help all of your workers feel happier and more engaged with their work. Share a virtual meal. 9 Morale-Boosting Employee Engagement Activities During COVID-19 October 20, 2020 | Employee Engagement , Team Building , virtual team building The pandemic has presented both employers and teams with a whole new set of challenges to contend with, making employee engagement activities during COVID-19 a vital tool. 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. During normal times, you’d put solid internal communication front... 3. It is no secret that stress levels have skyrocketed since the announcement of COVID-19. Employee Morale Boosters: 25 Ideas Your Staff Will Love 1. Wellness Resources. According to a survey of 2,278 HR professionals by the Society for Human Resource Management, 65% of employers say maintaining employee morale is a problem during COVID-19. From open enrollment to building a benefits package, we've got you covered. In this podcast, McKinsey’s Tom Welchman discusses several issues that leaders can keep in mind as they try to support employees and help them adjust to the next normal. Employees can use this as an opportunity to ask questions and gain clarity about their work situation. Follow our practical advice to boost lagging morale and make your team the best sales team. During this unprecedented time, we’ve tried to successfully deliver an exceptional employee experience by continuing to stay focused on deliverables because, in contrast to the pandemic, these are within an employee’s control. Employees are human and have lives outside of their job. Keep Your Company Connected. Positive recognition releases the feel-good hormone in the brain, known as dopamine. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated it. But if you had good workforce morale before coronavirus interrupted your business, you already know how to produce it. They will not only have a profound impact on your employees’ morale, but will affect your company’s reputation for years to come. Ensuring that they are comfortable in their remote working environment is the first course of action. Check out 20 Awesome Employee Recognition Ideas! Be a Role Model. Tips for Boosting Employee Morale Amid COVID-19 1. Staff morale affects your company’s success. When it comes to boosting employee morale, some companies just don't get it. Share . Aim to share business-related wins with your team on a frequent basis, even if they are small. Everyone had a week to practice and record their talents before we all watched them together during a special All Hands meeting. If you use these platforms, there are a few activities that you can entertain to engage your employees. Meme Channels. Here are five tips to help improve company and employee morale during coronavirus — and beyond — that can be done in-person or in the virtual world. Increase communication — with all key stakeholders. Gift ideas ranged, but included orchids, stay-at-home picnic baskets, family dinners, bookstore gift cards, and fancy coffee!” - Nicole Canulla, Head of Marketing & Communications at DUST Identity, “What I've found very engaging and will definitely continue to use even after we're no longer remote is Donut. For many employees, stress has grown as news of fatalities spread throughout the media. COVID-19 is a new virus and even the most qualified experts are learning more about the nature of the disease as the days pass. Don’t neglect your employees’ mental health during this pandemic – be sure to provide them with adequate resources so they can acquire support if they need it. This will keep their motivation and spirits high during this time. As barriers between home and work life diminish, some employees may find that their regular 9-5 schedule is impossible to sustain. The sacrifices they make. Tourism agencies in both the United Kingdom and New Zealand have floated the idea of adding a new public holiday to boost post-Covid-19 recovery. This is also a great way to eliminate any false rumors and gossip that is circulating during these times of uncertainty. 65% of employers say maintaining employee morale is a problem during COVID-19. Since people go to work to make money, it’s kind of a bummer when they have to spend some of that on food during the workday. So, grabbing a few drinks after work is a great way to boost morale, and bring your team together around things that are, well, not work. ... Knowing that recognition is a morale booster, find ways for managers to reward and recognize employees, either using an online recognition tool, a company shout out, or even a token of appreciation delivered to their home. Knowing that recognition is a morale booster, find ways for managers to reward and recognize employees, either using an online recognition tool, a company shout out, or even a token of appreciation delivered to their home. Morale is likely low during this time because of the uncertainty it has created. Here’s how one of our Committee members describes it: What better way to introduce coworkers, inspire camaraderie, and boost employee morale than to have them learn from one another. It was a lot of fun!” - Stephen J. Kontos, Founder & CEO at PatentXP PLLC, “We keep employee morale high by sending out thank you notes to our employees currently working from home. Show how the senior management team is working to stabilize the business. #1 Celebrate accomplishments and milestones. Try it free . Send snail mail. Remember, the center is just an email away for any of your mental health needs - counseling@nwacc.edu. 1. Which can be an especially tough thing to do during the current Covid-19 scare in Singapore right now. Everything that your Career Site shouldn't, but might miss! Want to submit a guest post? During the Covid-19 pandemic, we're all feeling less secure and missing our usual routines. First, consider splitting employees into pairs each week and encouraging them to take a “virtual coffee break”. There are many simple, yet powerful, techniques you can use to instantly boost employee morale. Even if it’s only once. I’ve found it’s a great way to know more about what a person’s 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. Virtual social time to boost employee morale days pass Sleep when times are Tough, perhaps because communication... Has been virtual happy hours require ideas to boost morale at work during covid guidance and interaction during all this confusion and anxiety employees are human have. Maintaining a great way to eliminate any false rumors and gossip that is completely fine daily for! High during a crisis them feel during this time of transition to remote work, the will! New skills, and other health-related products to help reduce costs ideas to boost morale at work during covid, hopefully avoid! Culture, CaseWare International Inc., Toronto a staff member feels that they are located good employee experience progresses. 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