Looking for ideas to help with morale at work

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jme5343

Platinum Member
Nov 21, 2003
2,333
0
71
I'll start by saying that there's no problem. In fact, we're a startup of sorts with about 8 employees, soon to be 18 full time employees in a 24x7 operation.

I'm looking for ways to add some minor perks to keep things fun. No real budget here, but I'm willing to buy some of the stuff myself. No alcohol, obviously. It's also going to be a challenge to involve everyone due to the 24x7 nature. The last thing I want is a division among shifts.

*Throw a ping pong table, possibly a PS2 or similar in the break room.
*Fry day, where I bring in some fryers and some finger foods, people can bring their own stuff. I'll bring a couple bags of salad mix as well :)
*Name tag day You'll start with 10 coins, and you have to wear a name tag with a different name. Anytime you get someone to call you by a name other than the one on your tag, you get one of their coins. Most coins at end of day wins a prize.
*Crazy shirt Friday. The craziest, loudest shirt wins.
*Sandwich day. Bring in all kinds of breads, meats, cheeses and condiments. Make your own sammy.
*Scavenger hunts of some sort
*I'd really like some challenges between shifts, maybe like the trivia challenge we have here at ATOT.

What else? I'd probably only introduce one thing a month or as needed. I think if you do it too often, it becomes tiresome. It's hard to do things outside the office because there's no way we will ever get to shut down operations...
 
Kelemvor

Kelemvor

Lifer
May 23, 2002
16,928
8
81
Any time an employee gets something for free, they will be happy. Even if it's something really cheap.

BUy some ice cream and sauce an d have Sundaes, bring in donuts for a morning, etc. Have a cook out in the summer to kick off the new season, etc.

 
C

cherrytwist

Diamond Member
Apr 11, 2000
6,019
25
86
Originally posted by: jmebonner
I'll start by saying that there's no problem. In fact, we're a startup of sorts with about 8 employees, soon to be 18 full time employees in a 24x7 operation.

I'm looking for ways to add some minor perks to keep things fun. No real budget here, but I'm willing to buy some of the stuff myself. No alcohol, obviously. It's also going to be a challenge to involve everyone due to the 24x7 nature. The last thing I want is a division among shifts.

*Throw a ping pong table, possibly a PS2 or similar in the break room.
*Fry day, where I bring in some fryers and some finger foods, people can bring their own stuff. I'll bring a couple bags of salad mix as well :)
*Name tag day You'll start with 10 coins, and you have to wear a name tag with a different name. Anytime you get someone to call you by a name other than the one on your tag, you get one of their coins. Most coins at end of day wins a prize.
*Crazy shirt Friday. The craziest, loudest shirt wins.
*Sandwich day. Bring in all kinds of breads, meats, cheeses and condiments. Make your own sammy.
*Scavenger hunts of some sort
*I'd really like some challenges between shifts, maybe like the trivia challenge we have here at ATOT.

What else? I'd probably only introduce one thing a month or as needed. I think if you do it too often, it becomes tiresome. It's hard to do things outside the office because there's no way we will ever get to shut down operations...
Click to expand...

That?s the worst idea I?ve ever heard. Forget this idea it is terrible, terrible.

:thumbsup: for the rest.
 
S

sjwaste

Diamond Member
Aug 2, 2000
8,757
12
81
I would say don't ask them to bring anything in. A lot of managers see that as "team building" but the employees see it as a big, giant pain to have to go get something and bring it to work, in order to not be "that guy" that didn't bring anything. If you're going to do any of the food things, just bring it in yourself and tell 'em lunch is free that day. Everyone likes an unexpected free lunch.

Ping pong, foosball, and video games in the break room would be awesome. I would absolutely love to have that.

Last, consider building a nap room. Take a vacant office, put a comfortable chair or couch in it, some nature sounds or whatever, and have it be totally dark w/ a timer on the lights for like 15 min power naps. It's a nice perk, and it might also boost productivity.]

EDIT: Also, I'll state the obvious, get feedback from your folks. Have them vote off a short list of things you can spring for and do the one or two that are most popular. The fact that you're trying to make their day easier will boost morale in and of itself.
 
Slew Foot

Slew Foot

Lifer
Sep 22, 2005
12,379
96
86
In my experience everyone likes food. Bring in ice cream, or a sandwhich bar, or pizza or something, and everyone will be stoked. Make sure all the shifts get it.
 
JulesMaximus

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,586
985
126
Motorcycle racing in the parking lot during breaks? :laugh:

Just kidding.

Seriously though, the ping pong table would be fun. We had one at the last company I worked for...too bad my boss was a man-hating lesbian because other than working for that evil fucking bitch I really liked working there.

Another company I worked for had a party once a month on a Friday afternoon where each department would host and had a budget. The entire company would knock off at 2PM and we'd all go out to the parking lot and party until 5PM. They served alcohol, we did BBQs and all sorts of fun games and prizes. That was a company of about 75 employees though with only one shift (M-F). Great place to work though, casual dress, very flexible...I was friends with the IT guy there so some of the engineers, the IT guy, and I used to play Unreal Tournament on the computers in the training room at lunch time a couple days a week.
 
J

jme5343

Platinum Member
Nov 21, 2003
2,333
0
71
Originally posted by: Nitemare
A 5k run to find a cure for Rabies?
Click to expand...

With all-you-can-drink Kaeopectate :)

Originally posted by: scott
paid time off is the best reward
Click to expand...

Company policy is in place, I can't award any time off outside the guidelines. We do get 8 or 9 holidays (including president's day, good Friday and new years eve as well as all the standard days), 1 personal day, 6 sick days and you 2 weeks vacation for everyone. You get more vacation with more years of service.

Originally posted by: sjwaste

Last, consider building a nap room. Take a vacant office, put a comfortable chair or couch in it, some nature sounds or whatever, and have it be totally dark w/ a timer on the lights for like 15 min power naps. It's a nice perk, and it might also boost productivity.]
Click to expand...

I like this idea!
 
daniel1113

daniel1113

Diamond Member
Jun 6, 2003
6,448
0
0
Originally posted by: sjwaste
Last, consider building a nap room. Take a vacant office, put a comfortable chair or couch in it, some nature sounds or whatever, and have it be totally dark w/ a timer on the lights for like 15 min power naps. It's a nice perk, and it might also boost productivity.]
Click to expand...

Best idea yet.

Every day I end up taking about a 15 minute power nap after lunch, otherwise I drag.
 
I

Injury

Lifer
Jul 19, 2004
13,066
2
81
Nerf guns. They make one that's like... $8... buy one for everyone and enjoy.

Video games in the break room is just begging for trouble depending on your environment, but you could easily just do something small maybe every Thursday or something and people will appreciate it.



The owners of our company pay for a masseuse(sp?) once or twice a month to give free chair massages, and everyone goes nutso for it... at least all the ladies do. They've had it for about 6 months now... I've never had one because I don't really care, but it does seem like people are getting a bit bitchy about it, though. Like OMG YOU GOT TO GO FOR 20 MINUTES AND I ONLY GOT 15 THAT'S BULLSHIT. But whatever.


What is the makeup for your company? Men & Women? Age ranges?
 
J

jme5343

Platinum Member
Nov 21, 2003
2,333
0
71
Originally posted by: Injury
Nerf guns. They make one that's like... $8... buy one for everyone and enjoy.

Video games in the break room is just begging for trouble depending on your environment, but you could easily just do something small maybe every Thursday or something and people will appreciate it.


What is the makeup for your company? Men & Women? Age ranges?
Click to expand...

Good point on the video games. I would have it mostly as an after-work thing. All the guys here now always talk about who's best at football, guitar hero and the like. This way you could easily challenge someone to an after-work game.

50/50 men and women. Right now, all younger guys <40. The ladies are much more diverse. We've still got a lot of people to hire, though.

 
T

tynopik

Diamond Member
Aug 10, 2004
5,245
500
126
boss in the dunking machine
a pinata that looks like the boss
dartboard with the boss's picture
office chair races in the parking lot
 
BoomerD

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
66,340
14,748
146
Work Hard, Get Paid.
Fuck Off, Get Fired.

We Own Your Ass
Get To Work.
 
S

Shadowknight

Diamond Member
May 4, 2001
3,959
3
81
Sometimes just having someone make a pot of coffee in the morning can help with morale. You don't need to do something "big". Something small and everyday can sometimes do the trick to boosting morale. Maybe get some cheap snacks and leave them in the breakroom for when people get hungry.
 
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