Category: The Workplace

Top 10 Get Well Gifts

No one wants their friends to get sick, but most of us at some point will need to send a  Get Well gift. And at that point, the question always is: What to get?

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Borrowing from a late night TV host, here is a list of Top 10 Get Well Gifts:

  1. Candy/chocolates. An obvious one, but almost everyone  enjoys a sweet indulgence when they are not feeling well.
  2. Plants/flowers, balloons. Put these in the category of “eye candy” or something to brighten up the room.
  3. Magazines/books, puzzle book. Boredom is a main complaint of those who  are bedridden, so something to pass the time is a welcome distraction.
  4. Itunes gift card. In our new tech-savvy world, apps can take the place of puzzle books (see #8). Let your recovering friend choose from the thousands of game/puzzle/activity apps available as another way to alleviate boredom.
  5. Soup. Grandma was right. Whether homemade or store bought, a nice bowl of warm soup can really hit the spot.
  6. Gifts of comfort. Whether it is:
  7. Cozy, fuzzy socks
  8. Scented candle
  9. Luxurious hand lotion. Nothing says “feel better” like comfy gifts.
  10. Drinks. Bottle of wine, or a flavored tea.
  11. For the recovering friend who has received “all of the above”, think about a gift they can look forward to using once they are on the mend: movie tickets, or a gift certificate for a manicure .

I hope this was helpful, and even more than that, I hope you never need to use it!

Some Of Our Favorite Company Birthday Party Ideas

At most offices, if you were to take a poll about  Office Birthday Parties, you would find a wide variety of responses, ranging from love to loath.  I happen to love them,  and think they are a fun way to socialize and have fun with the people you spend most of your day with. Of course, company guidelines must always be followed, but here are some of our favorite company birthday party ideas… One year we did a retro party, you know, like when you were a kid: Cake, candles, deviled eggs, and even Pin the Tail on the Donkey.  Another time we tried Take your Cupcakes to Work Day: everyone brought in a dozen of their favorite cupcakes to share. That was a big hit.

office party

The trick is to keep costs and prep time down, while keeping the morale and fun level high.  In recent years our office birthday parties have evolved into  a routine that seems to please everyone. We celebrate once a month, on the last Friday of the month. Everyone who celebrated a birthday that month is honored, and (here’s the best part) the birthday celebrants bring in the food. Just like when you were in elementary school, the birthday kids bring in the goodies! So, you only have to bring in goodies one time each year, and you can bring in your favorites, since it is your own “party”.  We have been doing this for a few years now, and everyone looks forward to it each month.

Simple But Fun Office Party Games

For a successful office party, you definitely want to get people mingling and excited to ensure a good time. A great way to get things started is with a fun game for everyone to participate in! This creates time away from work to get to know each other a bit better and bond as a team. Here are four suggestions for simple, but fun office party games.

Office party

1. Who Am I? Couples  –

This game is fun to play to break the ice and get people talking to fellow employees they may not know very well. The party planner should write down names of well-known celebrities or characters on index cards. Each card should match up with another card to form the couple. Some examples would be Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Rhett Butler and Scarlet O’Hara, and Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble.

For each person playing, a card should be taped to their back without them seeing who it is. They should go around the room and engage in conversation with others who will look at the card on their back and treat them accordingly. If the person you are talking to has Brad Pitt on their back, you might ask how he feels about his zombie movie doing so poorly or how all of those children are doing. The person wearing the card may also ask questions to try to guess who is on their back.

Once they have guessed who they are, they must find their partner who matches the other half of their couple. First couple to be united wins the game, but it should continue until everyone has found their pairs. Those who have already completed the game should go around and assist in giving clues to those who haven’t guessed yet.

2. Pass the Bowl –

When people arrive to the party, have them write down names of well-known celebrities or characters (e.g. Harry Potter, Jimmy Kimmel, Bill Clinton) on small slips of paper. These papers should be folded in half and placed into a large bowl. When the bowl is full of names, divide the group into two teams and have everyone sit down in a circle with the teams seated together.

If Team A is first, Team B will be responsible for timing the round. When the timer begins, the first person who begins with the bowl will draw a name. They will then give their team clues to get them to guess the person or character. They may not say any part of the name or say “it rhymes with _____.” They may describe the movie the person acted in, or what book the character is from, who the person is married to, etc. The rest of the team should shout out guesses and once the name is guessed, the first person should pass the bowl to the person beside them. Each team will try to guess as many names as possible over the course of 1 minute. Once time is called, count how many names were correctly guessed and mark down the score. Then it will be Team B’s turn while Team A times them.

If a person draws a name that they do not know, they can put the paper back and draw a different one – this may only be done one time! Once the second name is drawn, they are stuck with it and may have to get creative for their team to guess.  For example, get them to guess a different person or character who has the same first or last name as the person on their slip. Just make sure that successfully guessed papers do not go back in the bowl! There may be duplicates since everyone is contributing names.

To end the game, you may set a point goal such as first team to 50 points will win.

3. Paper Airplane Contest

Each person will be given a piece of paper to create a paper airplane. Once their planes are created, everyone will pair off and two at a time, the paper airplanes will be thrown. Whichever person’s plane travels the farthest will stay in the game for the next round. Once all couples have faced off, the winners will pair off to go again, and so on until there are only two people left. The last two will face off and the farthest airplane throw will win. You may want to choose one person to be the judge.

4. White Elephant Gift Exchange

This is a great game to play at a holiday party or an “Everybody’s Birthday” party. Set a budget (e.g  $5-$10 or $10-$15) and have everyone who wishes to play bring in a wrapped gift. Ideally, have everyone sit in a circle with the gifts in the center or a similar set up so everyone can be seen. Everyone should draw a number out of a hat to decide the order. The person who draws the number 1 is first and should choose one of the gifts.

Once their gift is chosen they should return to their seat and either unwrap the gift, unwrap it partway, or leave it wrapped. It will then be the second person’s turn. This person will have the choice of choosing a gift from the pile or taking the first person’s gift and again either unwrapping it, unwrapping it partway, or leaving it wrapped. If the first person’s gift is taken, they should choose another from the pile.

This will continue down the line with each person taking a gift from someone else or from the pile. Each person who has a gift taken from them should either take a new one from the pile or take someone else’s gift. At the end when everyone has a gift, all of the gifts should be unwrapped and shown off!

The most important thing at a party is to let loose. Talk to people you don’t usually get a chance to see at work and be willing to be a little silly and have fun with these games or whatever else you come up with! Enthusiasm, competition, and silliness are contagious and will always make for a fun party atmosphere.

Favorite Cubicle Decorating Ideas At The Office

When many people think about a cubicle, not many creative thoughts come to mind. It’s simply a work space and well that is that. Not so! Today, I am going to share a few of my favorite easy cubicle decorating ideas that will leave you feeling inspired and right at home…right in your own cubicle space!

I am a photographer and so my love for photographs is shown through everything and everywhere I go, and so of course my cubicle will be filled with photographs. You can use colorful push pins and pin up the photographs, or you can take your favorite frames and simply put a photograph on your desk! Either way photographs will not only look wonderful at your cubicle, but it will also showcase what and who you love.

Cubicle

Another favorite cubicle decorating idea of mine is buying decorative (or taking pieces from home) such as pencil holders, pretty tissue boxes, a vase of artificial flowers and placing them on your desk. You can also hang a beautiful calendar displaying pretty designs or photographs on your cubicle wall. Even the smallest things such as colorful post-its, decorative pens and paper…add a lot to your cubicle space. Now if you really want to add something that will make you smile at your desk, simply add one or two plastic bobble head mini toys of your favorite characters…guaranteed it will lighten up your day!

There are just so many decorating ideas…let your cubicle stand out and have your personality shine through. After all, you’re spending most of your day there….make it worth looking at!

Sending Get Well Wishes To A Co-Worker

We work side by side with people day after day. We share the big and small events in our lives. We trade recipes, gossip and the minutiae of our lives on a daily basis. When a co-worker is out, we generally just go about our business and catch up with them when they come back.  Why not think about sending get well wishes to a co-worker?

Get Well Cards

Think about it. We spend almost as much time with our co-workers as we do with our family. Probably more than with some family members. If we can send a get well card to Aunt Millie, why not to the person who sits across the room, eight hours a day, five days a week. Think how well that will be received by a person who is a little under the weather. You know when you are out of the office you feel like you’re missing something. Maybe you feel a little uncomfortable when you come back. Almost like there’s a broken connection. If you feel this – so do others.

The next a co-worker is out for a few days take the time to drop them a get well card. Include a note about what is happening in the office, it it’s only you can’t believe what Fred said now. This will not only bring a smile but it will let them know you care. I have found that buying a few cards and having them ready when needed makes this easier. Think of it as upgrading your office communication skills. I feel a cold coming on – don’t forget me!

What to Bring to Your Office Birthday Party

If you work in an office that celebrates birthdays, you may find yourself wondering what to bring to the office birthday party if you have either just started working there or perhaps worked there so long you are looking for some fresh ideas. Look no further!

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Not much of a cook? Your specialty could be finding some really great paper party goods. Themes are always fun so you might want to brainstorm some with co-workers before making the purchase. Be sure to get coordinating cups, napkins and paper plates as a bare minimum. But if you really want to make an impression, you can find some great printable party kits on Etsy that includes banners, toothpick flags, and much more.

If you are into making food, some great birthday party food includes bite size appetizers that easily pop in the mouth without making a mess. Remember, you are in an office environment where people frequently stand chatting and eating and don’t want to spend the remainder of their day wearing what they ate at the office birthday party.

If you want to bring food, look over the food list, if one exists, and check out what others are bringing. This is a good idea for two reason, so you don’t duplicate someone else’s dish and it can also help you come up with an idea to compliment the selection. For example, if someone is bringing in pie, why not pick up some gourmet flavored ice cream?

If you have a recipe that is a fan favorite, bring that if you know it is a proven crowd pleaser. It’s a nice and thoughtful touch to put a little hand made sign using a toothpick fork stating what the dish is and from who’s kitchen. If your dish contains nuts etc, it is also a great idea to add a little sign stating that for those with nut allergies. You will be viewed of as a considerate and observant co-worker.

Beverages is another way you can shine without having to ever light the oven. Don’t just bring an ordinary bottle of soda though. Why not whip up a great batch of homemade lemonade or ice tea complete with adding some slices of lemon and bringing in a plastic pitcher to serve it once there.

You don’t have to spend a lot to make an impression at your office birthday party. You just have to give it a little thought!

How to Deal With Workplace Bullying

There has been a renewed recognition of bullying in the schools of America. Most have adopted a no bullying policy that is strictly adhered to. What is under recognized is the amount of workplace bullying that is practiced in many companies. Whether it is instigated by a superior or a peer, it is an insidious attack that comprises the company’s values and undermines the victim’s health and well being.

bully

Workplace bullying takes many forms and is often hard to prove. It masks itself as joking, sarcasm and often an undervaluing of an employee’s performance. It adds additional stress to the victim which can translate into lost work hours and often increased health problems causing absenteeism and lost wages. Although it is not quite as blatant as sexual harassment, bullying may have a far longer run and cause extreme problems for the victim. Company morale can plummet causing a loss in productivity. Bullying often affects more than the victim, it will also have a profound affect on people who witness it. It will definitely cause a change to the company culture if left unchecked.

Statistics from the 2007 WBI-Zogby survey shows that 13% of US employees report being bullied currently, 24% claim to have been bullied in the past and 12% say they have witnessed bullying in the workplace. This statistic indicates a real problem that has caused 16 US states to initiate legislation directly citing bullying. Many countries around the world have already passed legislation, including the United Kingdom, Sweden, Canada and Ireland.

The first step in combating bullying is to recognize when it occurs. Looking at the right indicators is important. Is the behavior repetitive? Is it escalating? Is the object of the bullying unable to successfully defend them? Is the behavior attributable to mal-intent? Certainly these are red flags that should at least make us investigate further.

Studies have recognized that there are 5 types of bullying behavior in the workplace:

  1. a distinct threat to professional status- belittling, humiliation, intimidating and misuse of discipline.
  2. a clear threat to personal standing among colleagues-inappropriate jokes, teasing, name calling, insults, and sarcasm.
  3. Isolating an individual-lessen opportunities, professional & personal separation, and excluding from functions, meetings or information.
  4. Extra workload-adding impossible deadlines, disruptions to the work flow
  5. lack of recognition-good work that is unacknowledged, meaningless tasks, constant reminding of mistakes.

Micromanagement and disrespect for an individual may not seem like bullying but it is subtle and long lasting and works to deprive a person of confidence and self esteem causing additional stress levels. Bullying in the workplace is often compared to domestic violence. It keeps the victim off balance with the hope that it will end and the fear that more abuse will occur at any time unexpectedly.

Exterminating bullying from the workplace will only take place when we recognize where and when it occurs. If you are being bullied you should make a detailed record with dates, examples and comments made. You should then take it further up the chain. If it is a superior doing the bullying go to their superior or to the personnel department and as a last resort the head of the company. If all these steps fail, you can go to the National Labor Board, where they will expect you to have facts, dates and any documentation that can be provided.  The best course of action is to refuse to be bullied, refuse to allow anyone else to be bullied and shine the light of day on the problem, wherever it occurs.

You can read more about bullying in the workplace at these sources:

Adams, Andrea – Bullying at Work: How to Confront and Overcome It

Barnes, Patricia G. – Surviving Bullies, Queen Bees & Psychopaths in the Workplace

Brodsky, Carol M. – The Harassed Worker

 

Birthday Party Games For Your Office Party

Celebrating an office birthday party doesn’t just have to be about eating cake or goodies. Playing games is always great for office moral. There are several fun ways to celebrate a co-workers birthday in the office. Send around a questionnaire asking ten questions about the birthday man or woman. Make them simple such as, what is their favorite TV show or what is their favorite color. It’s a great way to celebrate a birthday and also to get to know your co-worker better. Not only does this help to become more familiar with your colleague’s, but it also helps to build team unity.

"The Christmas Party"

Everyone loves movies. This next game will have everyone willing to participate.  Using several sticky notes, write the name of a movie on each one. Each participant will then have one of these notes stuck to their back or back of their chair. Each person takes a turn in asking their colleagues a question such as who is the main star or when was the movie made. This game will continue until everyone has successfully guessed the movie title. The person to successfully guess their movie first becomes the winner.

Movies are a big part of our pop culture and movie quotes are repeated constantly inside and outside of the office. Here is another movie game for willing participants. Write down a list of movie quotes such as, “I’ll be back” and have everyone write their movie guess on a piece of paper. For each correct answer, one point is given. Whoever has the most points at the end of the game is announced the winner.  This also helps colleagues to bond as they learn of common interests. Playing games in the office also makes coming to work everyday a pleasant experience. It boosts office moral and employees are motivated to complete their office tasks.

What Are Some Good Ways Of Motivating Employees?

Monday mornings can be such a controversy. Monday’s are the start of a usual work week. While some are waking up dreading having to attend work others are anticipating on what great things are to come this work week. Ideally no one would drop a free day to have to work but if we enjoy were we work we enjoy going to work!

When motivating your employees it should start from the minute you walk into the door. As management you should provide a pleasant atmosphere for your employees. Having some one at the door greeting your employees with a simple “Hello, Good morning” can go a long way. It doesn’t just stop there it continues through the work day. You want your employees feeling excited and happy, knowing that their day will be stress- free. Employees are real people that deal with real live stress everyday. Work should be a place where they don’t have to deal with stress.

Employee

Another incentive that gives your employees motivation is; making sure that your employees have a spacious environment. Somewhere they are able to move around with fresh air and natural light. It’s very important to have lots of windows to give off that natural light so your employees don’t feel cooped up. Having that room gives them opportunity to spend an appropriate amount of time with other employees. As well as giving them the space in the kitchen or cafeteria to lounge on breaks; a place where the coffee and tea is always stocked.

In addition to being resourceful with your space using your walls can be another great idea.  Make sure you have an employee bulletin board to post events, birthdays, and motivational slogans. You may also want to post your company’s progress to encourage your employees to work hard. Add a recognition section to your bulletin board to recognize outstanding employees no matter small or big. Remember that whether you post something psychically or just take a walk over to your employee’s desk to tell them what a great job they do or done it’s guaranteed they will continue to work hard and they will strive for more.

Motivating your employees isn’t just about the work they do but about them as an individual. A great way to get to know your staff a little better and to keep them excited  about coming to work are events! There are many events you can do as a company. Many include food, such as a pizza day, cupcakes for employee birthdays, international food day, etc. This not only feeds your employees but gives them the chance to be social with one another. Don’t forget that that is another important aspect in the workplace; employees should know how to work as a team and be social with each other. Some more social events include having a casual dress day, dressing up for holidays, creating a softball or bowling team, etc.

Lastly but not least recognizing your employees and the work they do will always keep them motivated. Whether it be getting to know them on a personal level, complementing their work ethics, or rewarding them.  You are able to do this by social interactions or simply going to your employee’s desk to see how they are doing. Another example can be setting up contests or incentives to a reward for the fastest or the most sales by the EOM. As employers we should never forget that the employees contribute to a company’s success.

What Are Some Fun Office Party Themes?

Being in charge of planning office parties is tough, but I do enjoy the challenge. Every year we have at least four office parties. There is the annual Christmas party, and our office Thanksgiving feast. And then twice a year my company likes to throw a shindig to show the staff how much they appreciate all the hard work they have done. A day to just let go and have fun. We have had some really nice parties. Some of our office party themes have been “Fabulous 50’s” where we came dressed in poodle skirts, ponytails, leather jackets, and bobby socks. We had root beer floats, french fries and burgers. Hula hoop contests, bubble gum blowing contests, we even had a phrase contest. The person who wrote down the most words or phrases from the 50’s won a gift card. We’ve had the “Stars from the 70’s” theme. Everyone got to dress as their favorite star from that era. Trying to guess them was fun. We’ve also had “Country Western Roundup”, “Country Fair Jamboree” and “Desert Island Scavenger Hunt.”

70's Office Party

I think my all time favorite would have to be “A Day to Say Mahalo.” Have you ever seen a grown man hula? Everyone received their grass skirts, their coconut cups, and their leis (plastic of course). Whenever you saw someone do or say something nice, you gave them a lei. The person with the most leis at the end of the day won a gift card. We had a really nice buffet lunch also. Pulled pork, pineapple upside cake, coconut shrimp, and fish of course.

Office parties are a great way to show your staff that you really care. You can even have a contest on what the next office party theme should be. You would be surprised at all the great ideas people have.