What to get remote working teams as a token of appreciation

radar0976

I work for an IT company who like so many others have been working remotely for almost two years.

We would usually go for team nights out around this time of year but clearly that's not the best thing to be doing at the moment.

We have a budget of approximately €100 per head but basically need to "use it or lose it" before the end of December.

There must be many other companies out there in a similar situation. Does anyone have any innovative ideas to use up such a budget by showing appreciation to employees in a nice way yet still promoting team spirit in their teams ? A difficult one I know but just throwing it out there.

listermint

You can't really promote team spirit with an individual remote gift tbh it may not hit the mark on the team aspect of it.

I've gathered anyone who is interested in a short accessible hike and we supplied large lunch and treats and coffee teas out of the back of someone's jeep. It was great crack, it was outdoors and found that most people just want to get out of the house and have a chat to adults. Could buy fleeces for everyone on the trek to bring up the value to the use it or lose it.

whippet

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118261112#Comment_118261112

that is a great idea.

I've been more or less working remotely for the last 5 years and sociable meeting of colleagues is a far better tonic than any sort of gift voucher.

I'm passed the age of enjoying a night out ... I tend to drive and leave early from those nights out. A hike might not be everyone's cup of tea at first look but I'm sure most would en joy it

listermint

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118261171#Comment_118261171

Exactly and throwing in the half day from work adds to the involvement people that might usually say ahh no. See the benefit. Better than throwing everyone into a crowded restaurants on a Friday evening in their own time.

Akrasia

It all depends on how remote the workforce is, if they're in the same geographical area, then a traditional team building exercise can work, but if you have dispersed workers, then you'll need something that can be done without requiring a huge commitment to travel long distances and give up a whole lot of time

Something like an online race night where you can give your staff betting tokens up to the 100 euro budget less the price of hosting the event.

https://www.track-night.com/

You'd get buy-in because there's the chance that they could make a few quid for themselves, and everyone could have a few drinks and relax

(and this is from someone who would never normally gamble on a horse)

magiceye2021

You could get hampers done up and delivered to their homes. My better half got one last year and it was greatly appreciated!!!

Masala

would recommend a handmade Irish pen from the below.... check it out. Top top quality and a gift for life

https://irishpens.ie/

billyhead

How about paying towards something like abseiling and cannoing out in Dalkey. It builds up team camaraderie and can be done in a socially distant manner. Its also a bit of crack.

purplefields

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118261171#Comment_118261171

For me, I can't stand people, or socialising. I liked the lockdowns, and I love WFH.

I suggest giving them the choice. Some may much prefer a gift voucher, than having to meet people.

Dial Hard

We're doing a virtual wine and cheese tasting. The wine and cheese is being delivered to everyone's house and then we all join an online session with the expert for the tasting. Not everyone's cup of tea, I know, but wine and cheese are pretty much my two favourite things so I'm happy!

I did a few online wine tastings during the last lockdown and the format works really well.

whippet

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118261961#Comment_118261961

I can see how some people might like this - but I'd think of nothing worse.

My wife's company has done a number of these type of 'virtual' events and as she is in senior management she is expected to be there ... it's painful .. they even did a cookery one one time - sent out the ingredients ... took about 2 hours to cook something that would normally have only taken 15 minutes.

Get outside and interact safely in person and enjoy

radar0976

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118261862#Comment_118261862

Except we're in Cork.

Vologda69

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118261961#Comment_118261961

It sure beats an online Xmas jumper day. That sounds fun

Patsy167

Hard to go wrong with a One4All gift voucher. Everyone gets what they want and there's no waste.

3DataModem

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058220968/what-to-get-remote-working-teams-as-a-token-of-appreciation

Last year I got my team a pair of adidas Gazelle's each with the name of our brand on the side. They look great, if your team was called "Business Operations" you could get "BusOps 2021" on the side. A little lame, but also the lettering is small so most people wouldn't notice.

https://www.adidas.ie/gazelle-shoes/BB5472.html

seamus

Our company did the online wine tasting thing as well last year. It's weird; getting drunk on a video call with your co-workers. But it was fun too. As a company though in general we'd be fairly casual. If it was quite a stuffy or professional outfit where everyone would be expected to remain professional on the video call, then a virtual wine tasting could be horrible.

I can see how a virtual cooking session sounds like a good idea, but not practical for a lot of people. I have 3 kids and one kitchen. The idea of standing in my kitchen on a video call, cooking, while the family mill around behind me; nightmare.

I concur with listermint that if it's at all possible, some kind of in-person outdoor event, even if it's just going for a hike, would be of great benefit.