COVID-19 has caused massive changes in the workplace. Many businesses are operating at limited capacity due to health protocols. Many employees are also working from home. This new arrangement isn’t a big deal for those used to remote work. But it’s a big change for many workers.
There are many advantages to telecommuting. But the suddenness of change and the stress of the pandemic can take their toll. Many workers will also have a hard time coping with the isolation. A feeling of loneliness can have a detrimental effect on people’s health. This could also lead to a lack of engagement and motivation.
Management has to work harder to ensure this doesn’t happen. They have to instigate ways to keep employee morale up and their team engaged. One of the best ways to do this is through virtual team-building exercises. There is much work from home activity ideas that you can use. Here are some of the best ones:
Virtual Happy Hour
Going out for dinner and drinks on a Friday night is a great way to build camaraderie at work. You blow off steam and get to know your colleagues outside of the office. You can still do that even if you’re all in different places. Thanks to Zoom, Skype, etc. you can still hang out after hours.
You don’t have to limit yourself to alcoholic delights. You can also bond with your colleagues over your love for music. Why not organize a jam session with those who can play an instrument? You can also watch a virtual concert together. Musicians are also affected by the pandemic and have moved their performances online. Or showcase your own vocal chops with an online karaoke session.
Book Club
Reading is one hobby that will benefit both your personal and professional life. A book club is a good way to encourage this habit and get your people involved in intellectual activity. It also allows employees to socialize and share their ideas. It also encourages critical thinking and allows people to hear different opinions. To make it fair for everyone to agree on certain rules, like
- Start with something short. Not everyone reads fast or has a lot of time to read. Starting with a short story or an essay will ensure that everyone can finish the material. You can build up to longer texts or novels over time.
- Everyone must finish reading the material. You can’t have a dynamic discussion if some people don’t understand the topic. You can cancel the meeting if a member didn’t finish the assigned reading. Or you can exclude that individual from the next discussion. This emphasizes accountability.
Escape Room
Escape rooms are a popular team-building activity. They encourage cooperation and engage everyone. You’ll also learn about the strengths and weaknesses of your team. The game also helps strengthen workplace relationships. Several inventive companies made it possible for people to continue enjoying escape rooms. But instead of going out, you can do it from the comfort of your home.
There are many escape room themes to choose from. You can solve a centuries-old mystery or break out of prison. Whatever the task is, every member has to contribute something to allow the steam to escape.
Multiplayer Games
You can set an hour a week to engage in some multiplayer games with your team. Don’t underestimate the power of gaming. It can help build a bond between players. It also encourages people to think. Many games need team players to work together and come up with a strategy. Plus, it’s fun and engaging. It could be what your employees need to recharge their batteries.
Virtual Home Visits
Remember MTV Cribs? The popular segment lets viewers see the homes of their favorite celebrities. You can also do the same thing with your team. The exercise requires members to shoot a short video showcasing their home. It’s fun and helps members get to know each other better. Since we can’t invite people over to our place, we’ll have to make do with this.
These virtual home invasions are better suited for small teams. For a larger group, you can assign one person to show their home at the start of a meeting. It’s a good icebreaker and the team won’t have to endure hours of looking at houses.
Virtual Cooking Classes
Spice things up with a cooking class. You can organize a chef to hold a class on Friday night or during the weekend. You can tell your team to prepare specific ingredients. You can also have them delivered to your employees’ homes. It’s a fun, educational activity.
You can also get your team involved by asking them to teach the others how to cook a special dish. Then when you’re done cooking, everyone can eat together. Some companies share recipes on the company message board. Employees who made a dish from the recipe pool can share a picture of their creation.
Get Involved in a Charity Event
Your team can do online fundraising or host a show for elderly people. You can also ask your employees to volunteer their time to teach or conduct a workshop. You could also sponsor a seminar. For example, hire a medical professional to discuss COVID-19 screening questions. They can also explain how long does the flu vaccine last.
Ready to help your team be productive? You can also get more ideas from this post on supporting your employees during a pandemic.
Working Towards a Better Future
You need a company like Well Health Works to ensure your hardworking team remains healthy. We specialize in wellness programs for the workplace. We can provide you with comprehensive and effective wellness corporate solutions. We offer flu shots, biometric, and health screenings. We also conduct COVID-19 employee testing. You can reach us at 833-935-9355 or at info@wellhealthworks.com.