Holiday workplace traditions are going to be very different this year compared to previous years. Even with teams being remote, it is important to celebrate your entire staff and even the company as a whole! 

Year after year, we all look forward to half-days on holidays, the company events, celebrations and so much more, however, what is a company going to do this year with COVID-19? You cannot have a gathering larger than 10 people and have to maintain a six-foot distance, but that is difficult all on its own. 

Company culture during COVID has put an emphasis on the real core of companies and its values and morals. It has shown that there isn’t a need for fancy parties, but a need to continue to be honest and communicate with everyone involved. 

And as companies continue to navigate their company culture during COVID, it is important to continue to grow on these core values with these virtual workplace celebration ideas! 

Encourage taking time off

This does differ from company to company, but in all reality, it is imperative that employees take their paid time off (PTO) even while working from home. 

At first, everyone was reinvigorated and loved the notion of working from home, but as time has passed and COVID-19 continues to come in waves, the work from home life can be a bit stressful and even daunting. 

Work from home burnout is a real thing, and it can be even harder because there are no designated spaces. You work at your couch, your kitchen table, home office, wherever the space may be, but there is no breaking up the routine. 

When you are heading to the office, you get alone time in the car and back home. There is a break between lunches and time before dinner starts, but while working from home it never seems to fully stop! 

As the cold sets in, and the holidays approach, for those who will “use it or lose it” it is important to encourage employees to take their time off. Encourage them to take PTO for those days they “don’t want to” or even for a “mental health day.” 

Virtual competition! 

A great workplace celebration idea is to have office competitions! At OMG Austin, we purchased all our staff members a fun coloring Halloween house and the winner gets a Target gift card! 

Why would this be such a big deal? This is because everyone gets to vote on the winning house, everyone gets to get their mind off of life and work and can simply drink wine and relax! Appreciation and purchasing products for your staff doesn’t need to be a grand gesture, but it does show that you still care and are implementing company culture during COVID but in an adaptable way! 

Acknowledge great work! 

Do you constantly have one employee that is always going above and beyond? They continue to hit mile markers and exceed all expectations? Thank them. Oftentimes, the most important way to continue to build company culture is to show appreciation for employees. 

A company can do “Employee of the month” or make it their own employee spotlight to showcase their dedication and hard work. A company can send e-gift cards as a token of appreciation. No matter how small or large the gesture is, it is important to show appreciation for staff. 

Take off the burden of spending 

Families are already spending enough money on their loved ones this year, and with a global pandemic, it is important to find new ways to celebrate without having employees spend money. 

Host a holiday party for those who are alone

While many employees will have the opportunity to see a small number of their family, have their significant others with them or even roommates, a number of your employees will be alone for the holidays for a multitude of reasons beyond COVID-19. This is a great time to encourage those who are spending alone time to Zoom one another! 

This allows for those who are alone or those who want to eat with others, to spend time with people and not feel so alone this season.

The great part about COVID-19 is that workplace celebration ideas do not have to be anything grand, but a simple thought out notion that will really hit the mark instead.