In a time when many employees are working from home, it’s more difficult to track and assess how they are doing and what they are experiencing. The pandemic has affected people in different ways, from struggling with managing technology at home, to too many people sharing the technology, to health concerns and crises. Some people are struggling with isolation instead of too many people at home, and it can take a toll.
Taking measures to check in with your employees and colleagues goes a long way toward lifting their spirits and keeping you informed on their well-being. Reminding them that you appreciate their efforts and value their contributions can be fun, motivational, and heartwarming. Here are some ideas to help!
- Host a virtual summer picnic. Just because you can’t be together in person doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate your team. Order foldable camp chairs, picnic blankets, picnic baskets, insulated coolers, insulated water bottles, enamel campfire mugs, or outdoor games. Create a basket with campfire mugs, ingredients for s’mores, glow sticks, and bug spray. Send a bottle of wine in an insulated wine tote. Send a giftcard to a local BBQ restaurant with a company logo-embroidered blanket.
- If you’ve considered purchasing a bigger item like vests or jackets for your team, do it now! They may not need to wear branded apparel while working from home, but they will appreciate a quality piece of clothing anytime.
- Call them and have a personal conversation, not work related. People often say they most value being listened to. Tell them how much they mean to you, especially now.
- Choose a VIP of the week and send them a gift basket specially chosen for them. Include a handwritten note letting them know how much you value them.
- Send your entire team something that is useful and related to safety during COVID, such as the new door openers (these multi-functional tools are super cool!), hand sanitizer, masks, neck gaiters, or washable shopping bags.
- Send gifts to people for their children and pets. People love it when you acknowledge they have a family.
Small gestures that make people smile, or big gestures that say “thank you, we couldn’t do it without you” are all appreciated. When we are worried about business, it’s easy to focus on how to fix things, and forget how we literally couldn’t make it without our employees.
