Taking precautions and following safety measures by social distancing and limiting gatherings has made people feel isolated this year. The holidays are typically a time to connect with friends and family, and for companies, it's a time to bring the office together with a holiday office party. However, with the various regulations and number of COVID-19 cases across the U.S., the holidays, especially corporate celebrations, are looking different this year.
Although most companies have chosen to forego a traditional holiday celebration, there are other ways to honor the holiday season and reduce employee exposure to illness. Take a look at how you can encourage your employees to enjoy the holidays while limiting their exposure to COVID-19.
Virtual Parties
Between maintaining contact with coworkers and supporting virtual meetings, video conferencing platforms have been a saving grace throughout 2020. Rather than gathering in person, consider holding your company holiday party online. A recent survey shows that nearly 75% of employer holiday parties will be virtual this year.
Instead of asking employees to mingle virtually – which can be awkward – consider planning a program. Some virtual holiday party ideas include holiday trivia or an online corporate cooking class. Consider holding a virtual town hall focused on recapping the year's successes and recognizing employee contributions.
Employee Wellbeing
For some, the holidays may be a stressful and isolating time, so be sure to check in on your employees to see how they're coping. Highlight the benefits of workers taking advantage of company health and wellness resources. Encourage employees to enjoy some time off after this hard year.
Decorate the Workplace
If you have employees working in the office or at your brick-and-mortar location, consider bringing the holiday spirit to the workplace by decorating. Although your employees may be without a holiday party this year, creating a fun and festive environment is still an excellent way to boost morale and celebrate the year.
You may even consider holding a decorating contest across the organization for those who would like to participate. Offering a prize to the top winner is a great way to boost employee enthusiasm and get people involved, as well. If you do choose to decorate or have a contest, ensure you and your employees take safety precautions when decorating your workspace.
The coronavirus pandemic has certainly thrown a wrench in our plans this year, but that's not to say that it must ruin the 2020 holiday season. However you choose to celebrate with your company, help your employees feel comfortable and safe. We wish you and your employees a safe and happy holiday season.
