The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the face of the world as we know it, including life at work. As many companies adopt a work from home or hybrid working policy for their employees, they have had to revolutionize their processes and methodologies. Gone are the days where conferences and meetings had to be a face-to-face affair. Everything has gone online, and virtual is the new norm.
In the middle of such unprecedented times, employee engagement is more critical than ever since the distance runs the risk of disengagement and a dip in motivation. However, being virtual does not mean the fun has to stop; it just means that companies have to think outside of the box and come up with exciting virtual parties to keep their teams connected.
If you are a remote-first organization or are simply looking for exciting virtual party ideas for your remote teams, here is a list of activities to try.
Virtual Happy Hours
Happy hours at work used to be the perfect ground to allow employees to mingle and unwind with food and drinks. Usually, employees would either have an in-office or out-of-office session over some drinks to talk and have a good time at the end of the week. It was also a great way to plan an office celebration.
Now that social distancing is the new norm, happy hours can be arranged virtually as well. Send your employees cocktail kits that they can mix up at home and enjoy over a zoom call. This is a great way to continue the age-old tradition but with a twist. This could be an educational experience as well if you send them different kinds of alcohol and wine to taste and try for themselves.
Virtual Cooking Classes
Since the start of the pandemic, many of us have been trying to hone our skills in the kitchen so, why not take this to a professional level. Have a chef come on board for a virtual cooking class for your team at work. The employees should be given a list of items they should have handy before the event, or you could have the ingredients sent to them for ease.
Next, the chef should take charge of the session and instruct everybody on the recipe and steps. This way everybody does a fun activity together at the end of which they will leave having learned something new. You should keep the cooking basic and easy to follow. It could very well be holiday-themed, for example, sending everybody a cookie decorating kit that they can work with together.
Virtual Escape Rooms
Escape rooms are an excellent activity that is both stimulating for the mind yet fun to do with a group. For those of you who may not be aware, the concept behind escape rooms is to get locked inside a room as a group. The group then has to go through a list of clues and hints to crack the puzzle and break free.
With the current situation, many escape rooms shut down their physical spaces but went online, making the idea available as a virtual party. Employees can be divided into two teams and given the mystery to solve online in a virtual conference call. Whoever solves the puzzle first or even makes the most progress wins. This is an excellent team-building exercise as well, as it requires a collaborative effort and lots of brainstorming to succeed.
Virtual Talent Show
To help your colleagues bond, it is essential to get to know them other than their work and professional skills. This is why a virtual talent show is a perfect way to let your team members shine and showcase their hidden skills and hobbies.
You can send across a signup sheet that will allow employees to register what they will be performing, and then you can proceed to plan the event virtually. From singing, dancing to stand-up comedy, colleagues will then put their best foot forward and compete for a coveted prize. This helps break the monotony from daily tasks and is sure to get everybody feeling energized.
Conclusion
Hosting engagement activities is a great way to bring your employees together for some fun and enjoyment while also keeping them engaged and motivated. Without such breathers, things tend to become dull, and people begin to feel disconnected, especially during the new normal that is remote working. Therefore, have a go at these ideas and watch your remote employees have a blast at the next virtual party.
