10 Employee Engagement Ideas to Boost Morale and Productivity

Summer is almost here! As the sun comes out and the days get longer, employees are finally able to get outside and be active again, sparking a noticeable increase in workplace energy. 

This seasonal shift provides an excellent opportunity to elevate the employee experience with fun employee engagement activities. Whether workers need to recharge, take a moment for their mental health, or concentrate on collaborating and team building, we have plenty of ideas for how to keep your employees engaged this summer.

However, while employees might enjoy the warmer weather, not every day can be devoted to outdoor fun. At its core, any employee engagement activity should center around getting employees more involved at work to improve job satisfaction and, ideally, performance.

Before we dive into our top 10 employee engagement ideas, let’s explore some of the advantages and challenges of warmer weather and how employers can nurture a team of engaged employees.

While summer can be the perfect time to fine-tune your employee engagement strategy, the season can also bring potential challenges—from intense heat waves to inclusivity issues and difficulties with remote employee engagement.

To help you out, here are a few positive and negative impacts to keep in mind when planning engagement activities this summer:

Pros:

• Boosting Morale: Sunny days tend to increase energy and motivation among staff, making it an ideal time for physical activities outside.
• Improving Retention: Engagement activities also improve satisfaction, showing workers that their wellbeing is valued. This, in turn, reduces employee turnover.
• Enriching Wellbeing: The sunlight and fresh air can help improve health and mental wellness, contributing to higher job satisfaction, happiness, and even performance.

Cons:

• Heat Health Risks: Hot weather can pose significant health risks, such as dehydration, exhaustion, and heat stroke—especially as the number of people exposed to extreme heat continues to rise exponentially.
• Inclusivity: In addition to those who may be susceptible to heat, remote employees and other workers might feel left out by outdoor team-building activities.
• Distractions: Beautiful weather can both help and hinder an employee engagement strategy, potentially impacting employee performance if they become more interested in being outside than performing their work.

By taking these factors into consideration, employers can design engaging team-building activities that take advantage of the season while minimizing potential drawbacks. But before we dive into our top 10 inclusive employee engagement ideas shortly, it’s important to understand what drives employee engagement—and the best way to measure it on an ongoing basis.

Engagement is the name of the game, and without it, neither an individual nor a team-building activity will have any value. Sure, employers could mandate participation, but the only thing that’s bound to do is turn a disengaged employee into a disgruntled one. 

Instead, engagement often comes from a few driving factors, such as:

• Effective, empathetic communication is vital for a supportive work environment. When teammates feel heard and understood, they’re more willing to engage with colleagues, building trust, transparency, and overall team cohesion.
• A company culture of recognition and feedback can significantly improve employee morale and satisfaction. Regularly acknowledging hard work reinforces its value while constructive feedback enables professional growth.
• Offering flexibility for a better work-life balance allows employees to manage their personal and professional lives more effectively. Remote and hybrid arrangements, flexible hours, and compressed workweeks are just a few possible options.
• Professional development opportunities not only help employees advance their skills—they also show that a company is invested in individual growth. This can include training sessions, mentoring, and a clear progression path for each new employee.
• Employers who value their workers’ holistic wellness demonstrate a commitment that goes beyond regular health benefits, covering all dimensions of wellbeing. Initiatives like mental health days, financial education workshops, and volunteer days are just a few ways to foster a more engaged employee base.

Looking for inspiration? Here are our top 10 employee engagement activities that are sure to elevate the wellbeing of your employees this summer:

1. Skill Swap Workshops

A Skill Swap Day offers a platform for employees to exchange knowledge and develop better communication skills. 

Encourage team members to share their hidden talents or professional skills in a fun, informal setting. Whether it’s a crash course in graphic design or a quick lesson on spreadsheet wizardry, these workshops foster personal development while enhancing team cohesion. They also contribute to a culture of mutual respect and continuous learning, building a supportive—and talented—community along the way.

2. Virtual Reality Meetings

Take remote team meetings to the next level with virtual reality (VR). By incorporating VR technology, employers can create an immersive and engaging meeting environment that simulates a physical presence and interaction. This idea adds an element of fun while improving internal communication and collaboration among team members, making meetings more interactive and less of a chore.

3. Office Olympics

Energize employees with an Office Olympics—a series of light-hearted, competitive activities designed to break the ice, encourage teamwork, and foster professional skill development. These could be fun team-building games like a Coffee Run or they could utilize more practical skills, like a typing race or trivia.

4. Themed Video Calls

Turn routine video calls into exciting gatherings with themed attire or backgrounds. A Retro Monday could be a fun blast from the past, letting everyone pick an iconic style from their favorite decade. 

If that sounds too involved, let everyone play around with their favorite camera filter. It might be goofy, but it’s a great way to keep remote workers engaged and maintain a lively atmosphere.

5. Show Off Your Pet Day

Nothing boosts morale like an adorable animal. Whether in-person or online, a Pet Day can create some memorable moments and personal connections as employees showcase their furry friends. This heartwarming activity is a delightful break from the usual routine and an easy way to bring joy into the workspace.

6. Mindfulness and Meditation Sessions

When employees have difficulty focusing, they can’t engage as effectively with their work. Mindfulness and meditation sessions can help them reduce stress, uncloud their minds, and enhance their concentration. Dedicating time for weekly sessions led by a professional, or even by trained staff, can offer a much-needed pause in the bustling workday while promoting mental clarity and productivity.

7. “Fail Forward” Talks

Mindfulness can also involve introspection. “Fail Forward” talks embrace the lessons learned from workplace setbacks, encouraging employees to share and learn from each other’s stories. 

This platform doesn’t just destigmatize failure—it celebrates it as a vital part of learning and growth. These discussions foster a culture of trust and continuous improvement, inspiring others to innovate and take calculated risks.

8. Take Your Meetings Outside

Being outside offers numerous health benefits, from a reduction in stress and anxiety to improvements in mental and emotional wellness. By hosting outdoor meetings, employers can provide a refreshing change of scenery that energizes everyone and sparks creativity. 

Whether it’s a park bench or a quiet spot in a local garden, changing one’s environment can lead to more relaxed and productive conversations.

9. Cultural Exchange Fairs

Inclusivity is critical when it comes to employee engagement. A Cultural Exchange Fair celebrating the diverse backgrounds of team members can be a great way to educate each other and enhance overall cultural competency and humility. 

Employees can share traditional foods, show artifacts, or give talks about their cultures to enrich the work environment with a greater sense of community and understanding.

10. Gratitude Wall

Bringing it back to employee recognition, a Gratitude Wall offers a platform for employees to post notes expressing thanks or appreciation for their colleagues’ efforts and support. This visual and interactive display can take the form of a physical corkboard or an online forum—in either case, the goal is for it to become a daily reminder of positivity in the workplace, boosting morale and reinforcing a culture of acknowledgment and appreciation. It’s a simple yet effective way to cultivate gratitude and increase overall employee satisfaction.

Searching for more ways to prioritize your employees’ health and wellbeing all summer long?

Our latest Mental Health Toolkit: How to Lead With Empathy gives you actionable strategies for how to incorporate emotional intelligence in your workplace to drive greater innovation and boost morale. Discover how an emotionally intelligent leadership style can transform your employees’ mental health for the better.

Get the full toolkit here.