15 Awesome Employee Engagement Exercises for Remote Teams

Why are employee engagement exercises a must for the modern workplace? With so many people working remotely, there is a necessity to help people feel more connected while building employee engagement.

Moreover, colleagues will have an easier time collaborating on their tasks and projects if they are more comfortable and familiar with each other.

In this article, we will be going over employee engagement activities that you can implement in your remote teams to help them bond with each other and improve collaboration.

Digital Tools To Help Engage Remote Teams

Before you dive into our list of employee engagement activities for remote teams, you might be interested in watching our video on some of the top team building apps for Microsoft Teams.

Keeping your remote teams engaged, is impossible if you are not taking advantage of the technology out there and this list puts together some of the best employee engagement tools in the Microsoft Teams ecosystem.

To make sure you don’t have a team of disengaged employees suffering heavily from burnout, you might want to implement a complete engagement platform.

You can try one of the best engagement software for Microsoft Teams by clicking the button below!

Remote Employee Engagement Exercises To Increase Motivation

1. Virtual Team Building Games

Online team building games such as virtual escape rooms, trivia games or challenges that encourages collaboration will create a sense of unity among your remote team.

When you implement these fun team engagement activities, you will be promoting your team to work together and solve problems collectively while having an enjoyable time and strengthening their bonds.

Virtual engagement activities for work will help you imitate in-person activities and improve efficiency in your remote team by facilitating collaboration despite the lack of physical proximity.

2. Virtual Coffee Breaks

Virtual coffee breaks provide remote teams with an opportunity to interact and become more familiar with each other. It allows team members to learn more about their peers’ lives and personalities within an informal and more friendly context. People can unwind and connect while socializing during the virtual coffee breaks which also humanizes remote peers.

Furthermore, employee engagement activities like virtual coffee breaks, will remove the sense of isolation that some of your employees might have been experiencing. This remote employee engagement activity will help you create a sense of connectedness and boost your team’s well-being

In these sessions, your teams can share their experiences and interests. This will create a work atmosphere where employees can trust each other. On top of that, understanding your employees’ perspectives will not only help form stronger bonds but also improve collaboration.

3. Online Learning and Skill Development

Providing access to online courses, webinars, or workshops is an investment in the professional growth of remote employees. By enhancing their skills and knowledge, team members feel more engaged in their work and valued by the organization.

It’s a win-win situation, as the company benefits from a more skilled workforce, and employees have opportunities for personal and career development.

4. Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

Creating virtual Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) allows team members to connect over shared interests, backgrounds, or hobbies within the team.

These groups promote inclusivity, diversity, and a sense of belonging, which are essential for employee engagement. ERGs provide a platform for individuals to connect, collaborate, and feel part of a supportive community within the organization.

5. Wellness Challenges

Wellness challenges are a proactive way to encourage remote employees to prioritize their physical and mental health.

These challenges can include step competitions, meditation sessions, or hydration contests. Such activities not only promote a healthier lifestyle but also create a sense of community among team members as they work together to achieve common wellness goals.

6. “Walk and Talk” Meetings

Replace traditional sit-down meetings with “walk and talk” meetings, where discussions take place during a walk outside the office.

This not only breaks the monotony of the office environment but also promotes physical health and a more relaxed atmosphere for open communication.

7. Volunteer Day

Arrange a day where employees can volunteer together at a local charity or community project.

This provides an opportunity for team members to bond outside of work while contributing to a good cause, enhancing their sense of purpose and connection with the community.

8. Feedback Forums

Create a regular schedule of feedback forums where employees can openly discuss their ideas, concerns, and feedback about the workplace.

This could be done through anonymous surveys followed by group discussions, or open forums where employees feel safe to voice their opinions.

This exercise demonstrates that the organization values employee input and is committed to continuous improvement.

9. Themed Virtual Events

Host themed virtual events to create an engaging and colorful virtual environment, transforming the usual digital meeting space into a vibrant hub of interaction.

Virtual employee engagement events can range from cultural celebrations, such as Diwali or Carnival, to more generic fun themes like the ’80s retro or superhero day. 

During these employee engagement exercises/events, team members can engage in themed quizzes, virtual escape rooms, or talent shows, making it a memorable employee reachability exercise.

 Not only do these themed vşrtual employee engagement events provide entertainment, but they also serve as an excellent staff engagement exercise, encouraging team members to collaborate creatively and bond over shared experiences.

10. Remote Team Challenges

Remote team challenges are designed to stimulate collaboration and innovation among team members. Organizing activities like virtual scavenger hunts or creative problem-solving tasks can create an environment that promotes active participation and teamwork. 

Employee engagement challenges are one of the best engagement exercises, as they require team members to communicate effectively, strategize together, and support one another to achieve a common goal. 

Remote team challenges serve as a fantastic way to break the ice among new team members or deepen existing relationships, reinforcing the foundation of a strong, cohesive team.

11. Peer Recognition Programs

Implementing a peer recognition program is an excellent staff engagement exercise that fosters an environment of appreciation and positivity. Team members supporting each other by recognizing their achievements and milestones encourages a culture of support and camaraderie. 

A peer recognition program can be particularly effective as an employee engagement exercise, as it empowers employees to acknowledge the wins of their teammates. A strong team spirit is better than any employee engagement initiative out there.

12. Virtual Book Club

A virtual book club can be a unique engagement activity for remote teams, offering a platform for employees to share their thoughts, insights, and experiences on the chosen book. 

A virtual book club as an employee engagement activity not only promotes personal and professional development but also encourages employees to engage in meaningful discussions.

The virtual book club also serves as an excellent employee engagement activity for meetings, providing a structured yet relaxed forum for employees to connect and engage with each other on a deeper level.

13. Online Fitness Classes

Online fitness classes provide an excellent opportunity for employee engagement in team fitness. Activities like yoga, pilates, or cardio workouts, can not only improve their physical health but also experience a sense of togetherness. 

Online fitness classes serve as engagement activities for remote employees, promoting a healthy work-life balance and offering a fun, energizing break from the daily routine. 

Employee wellness programs and activities can significantly enhance overall team morale and productivity, demonstrating the company’s commitment to the well-being of its employees.

14. Cultural Exchange Program

A cultural exchange program is a profound way to celebrate diversity, equity and inclusion within remote teams. 

Through activities like sharing traditional recipes, giving language lessons, or presenting cultural histories, employees can broaden their horizons and develop a deeper understanding of their colleagues’ backgrounds.

Employee engagement initiatives of this level aren’t just engagement exercises but powerful tools for building respect, and empathy among team members.

15. Innovation Hackathons

Organizing virtual innovation hackathons encourages employees to think creatively and collaboratively, tackling challenges or developing new ideas. As an employee engagement activity, it not only fuels innovation and boosts engagement but also helps the team be more productive in the long run.

Hackathons also go beyond just serving as employee engagement exercises. They are also opportunities for your employees to show-off their individual skills while learning from their peers.

Conclusion

Keeping employees engaged especially in the tik-tok era where everyone is so used to receiving fast-paced dopamine boosts at 30-second intervals is one of the most complex challenges in today’s world of work.

While employee engagement exercises are a great place to start, one needs to keep in mind that long-term employee loyalty and commitment come from implementing a strong culture of empowerment and a positive work environment.

In order to make sure your engagement efforts aren’t going to waste, why not try the best engagement survey tool for Microsoft Teams, today, for absolutely free!