Among the many things that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed in our lives this past year, socializing with our coworkers is one of the things we miss most. As a business owner or manager, you’ve likely spent the last year figuring out how to keep your staff motivated and enthusiastic. There’s a good chance your team is still balancing the challenges of remote work—from Zoom fatigue to virtual project management. What we wouldn’t give for a laid-back happy hour on a Friday afternoon? (See “Employee Reward Programs should go digital in 2021“!)
The good news is there’s finally light at the end of the tunnel. Some businesses will go back to normal—or at least closer to normal as vaccinations continue to roll out. With more people getting vaccinated, the opportunity for a pre-pandemic life may be closer than we think. There’s also some good news for business owners and managers in need of ideas for boosting employee morale from a distance. Here are some virtual event ideas to do with your employees to show how much you appreciate them.
Buy Lunch for Your Team
Just because you’re not in an office together doesn’t mean you can’t show your appreciation. Consider buying lunch for your staff! Delivery apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats make it possible for each of your employees to enjoy a delicious lunch delivered right to their door. Check out your favorite delivery-service app to learn more about group orders, e-gift card options, and more.
Virtual Raffle
Get your team together via video chat to raffle off some fun big-ticket items—things they wouldn’t normally buy for themselves. We love the idea of gifting a kitchen appliance, high-end camping gear, e-gift cards, or a specialized home service. Not only will your staff appreciate your gifts, but they’ll love connecting with their coworkers in real time for something other than a standard Zoom meeting.
Happy Hour at Home
We’re lucky to live in a time where technology lets us connect with each other, no matter how far apart we are. Take your team’s video chats to the next level with a virtual happy hour. We love the idea of hiring a mixologist to lead everyone through an online cocktail demo—or enlisting the services of a paint-and-sip business to host a virtual paint party.
With the right virtual activity, you can let your employees know they matter. Recognition like this goes a long way and by. By trying one (or more!) of these ideas, you can ensure your team receives appropriate recognition for all they do to keep your business running smoothly.
