1.Have a company lunch or breakfast- It doesn’t have to be elaborate, but free bagels and coffee or box lunches or pizzas can go a long way in helping employees feel like they are more than just droids pushing out a product. This act works on two levels; it’s an act that shows genuine concern for employees. Also, we all have to eat, picking up the tab on breakfast or lunch saves your employees time. It also gives employees a chance to slow down and bond, if everyone sits together to eat.
2.After work happy hour or ice cream social- I know this may sound like a pricey idea but if you buy beer and wine the costs can be reduced. If you are concerned that your happy hour could become an unwanted dose of truth serum for some or if consuming alcohol is not in keeping with your corporate culture, an ice cream social works just as well. The point is to give employees an opportunity to unwind and learn a bit more about each other. It also gives them something to look forward to at the end of the day, which is always nice.
3.March Madness office pool- We don’t condone gambling in any venue, but employees who love basketball will get a big kick out of picking the winners in the NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament. Having bragging rights in the office will be a more prized accomplishment than you can possibly imagine.
4.Ugly Sweater Contest- This is a silly take on casual Friday where employees don their ugliest sweaters. Some employees may think that they are too cool or distinguished to participate in this activity, but part of boosting employee morale is having a willingness to take yourself less seriously. A great way to encourage people to do this is for the employer to lead the charge.
5.Volunteer Project- Nothing feels better than helping others with no expectation of getting something in return. It also helps our world at a global and community level. If you could only participate in one of the activities that I’ve listed in this article, I strongly urge you to participate in this one.
6.Goal Planning- If you can only do two of the activities I’ve listed in this article, aside from volunteering, I strongly encourage the idea of working with employees to set company and individual goals. I can’t express to you the importance of making employees a part of goal setting for the coming year. It gives them ownership in the progress of the company and it makes them feel important. People would argue that workers are mostly motivated by money, but I would say that many if not all are motivated by a sense of importance.
7.Have employees make a short video about their lives or a safety video- This may require a little buy-in, but if you get it, it can pay big dividends. The video doesn’t have to be long (2-4 minutes would be fine.) The idea is to give your co-workers a little insight into each other’s lives, thus building connections. If this idea sounds a little personal, try getting everyone to create a funny video about office safety. Then take time on a Friday to show the videos and learn more about your co-workers or have a hearty laugh. By the way, these videos are meant to be a fun diversion, not an additional project or a political statement, so set ground rules early.
8.Bring in a masseuse to give 10-minute massages- This may also seem like a pricey suggestion but that’s why we have massage therapy schools. There are tons of would-be massage therapists who are looking to hone their craft for little to no cost. Benefits of this activity are obvious.
9.Walk in a co-worker’s shoes for a day- Nothing gives employees more of a feel for their teammates (and that’s what you really are or at least should be) or gives them a better understanding of their company than doing someone’s job for a day. This is not meant to be punishment, just an exercise in understanding those around you. This activity will build bonds between employees and make them better professionals within their industry.
10.Make note of one accomplishment each day- This can be an individual or company-wide activity. The point is to see progress each day. One of the best ways to give yourself a daily boost is to understand that your making strives, even small ones towards an end goal. No one wants to feel that they have wasted their time and this activity will help them feel a little more useful.
