Three ways to boost morale when your team are still working remotely by an ethical corporate gifting supplier.

It’s been almost two years since the first national lockdown was announced, and it looks like working from home and hybrid working are here to stay. At Social Stories Club we have had a mix of working at home and in the office - it's hard to pack ethical gift hampers from elsewhere!

Whilst this can bring some much-needed flexibility to our lives, it also means we are spending a huge portion of our working week at home alone. Technology has allowed us to stay connected with our colleagues and to continue doing our jobs as best we can, but after two years of zoom calls, it’s understandable that some of us are craving the routine of office working and seeing our teams face-to-face. Whilst it may not be possible yet to have the whole team back in the office, there are things we can do to boost morale and keep our spirits up as we continue to work remotely.

1. Regular 1-2-1's and feedback 

One of the struggles of having our teams working remotely is ensuring lines of communication remain open. In the office, we can simply walk over to one another’s desk to ask a question or schedule a catch-up, but with everyone working at home, we have to work harder to nurture our professional relationships. Personalised and meaningful feedback will ensure everyone feels valued and help to boost morale and productivity. If you already conduct 1-2-1 meetings, check in with your employees to see if they are regular enough. Each person in your team will have different needs so it is important to tailor your communication to the individual. At Social Stories Club, we ensure we take time out of marketing and packing the ethical hampers to ensure that our team is receiving excellent feedback. 

2. Invest more into your well-being programme

In the wake of the pandemic, it’s more important than ever for businesses to address the mental well-being of their staff. Benefits such as gym memberships are fantastic but there is more to our well-being than physical exercise alone. Before setting up a well-being programme it’s good to think about what would be most beneficial to your team and what would align with your company values. You could consider setting up access to mental health resources such as mindfulness programmes or private talking therapy through an Employee Assistant Programme (EAP). An effective employee well-being programme shows your commitment to your staff and creates a positive company culture. At Social Stories Club we take time out of packing sustainable hampers to have team nights out. We have had meals out, bowling, and even mini golf. 

3. Plan a fun January activity 

January can feel like an extremely long month - the holiday excitement has died down and the dark, cold nights can leave everyone feeling a little lethargic. So why not plan a team activity to add a little fun to the end of the workweek? Whilst the ‘zoom pub quiz’ has had its day, there are plenty of other options to try, such as virtual cooking classes, art classes, yoga classes or even starting a book club challenge. Trying something new can spark conversation and creativity, giving your team something to look forward to, and a much-needed morale boost for the long winter months.

We hope you enjoyed this blog post and that it gave you some ideas for boosting morale whilst your team still works remotely. If you are looking for an extra special treat to help boost morale during the gloomy winter months then why not send your staff one of our sustainable gift boxes? If you are looking for the perfect corporate gift head over to our corporate gifting page. If you do not see something you like in our pre-created gift selection you can build your own gift box or hamper. Perfect for beating those January blues!