Celebrating Teams
Fun & Inclusive End-Of-Year Celebrations for Everyone
Life experience tells us that good people are hard to find & even harder to hold onto, within busy working lives, that often pull us, in all directions. Raising the questions: How can this be managed within our organisations? How do we sustain our people & teams?
For us, end of year celebrations provide the perfect opportunity, to take a minute & acknowledge all those who have contributed within our work place. Both those employed by us & those that move in & out of our daily office routines: service providers; specialists; the magic ‘fixers’.
In this, we focus on preparing for an inclusive & vibrant end-of-year celebration. To provide a context to appreciate the individuals that make up our team, reset relationships & inject fresh energy into the collective spirit.
Knowing that good relationships take ‘work’, that effort doesn’t need to be overwhelming, when it comes to celebrating! Here’s a few simple & timely suggestions to set the scene for a more inclusive & acknowledging workplace.
Inclusion
Despite the juggernaut called ‘Christmas‘- the southern Summer brings many religious & cultural holidays: Gita Jayanti [Hindu], Bodhi Day [Buddhist], Milad un Nabi [Muslim] & Hanukkah [Jewish]. Followed closely by the Lunar New Year & Spring Festival [Chinese] also celebrated by many. And the list goes on….Learn more here. Religion, being just one example of diversity, it usefully underscores the immense value of careful consideration for difference, nurturing an inclusive workplace & creatively facilitating respectful gatherings.
While remembering that different beliefs may also inform the way people eat, drink & even the decorations they’re happy to see.
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data shows that religious affiliations in Australia are constantly shifting, with Christianity followed by around 40% of the population, and increasing numbers for Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism.
Do your end-of-year celebrations reflect & respect difference?
“More diverse and inclusive workplaces see an 83% improvement on innovation, a 42% improvement in team collaboration, and a 31% improvement in the ability to respond to changing customer requirements.”
- Deloitte and Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission, 2017
Gift Giving
Many festivities involve gift giving, which can be both enjoyable & challenging for the giver - even when we know people well. Traditions vary & understanding them, may add richness to this experience, for all.
Many workplaces rely on ‘Kris Kringle’ or ‘Secret Santa’, named after Christian tradition & while the intent here, is to spread fun & cheer, they can also sometimes cause unintended distress or awkwardness, especially when jokes miss the mark. A more careful approach could be creating a list, agreeing what’s affordable/appropriate for each person & then bringing it all together, wrapped with a card of thanks. This better ensures that the spirit of giving is thoughtful, meaningful & respectful for all.
Gift giving, when done with care & creativity, is a great way to remind your team they matter
Acknowledgement
The key aspect for planning your end of year activities is to ensure that you take a moment to celebrate the wins, appreciate what works & generously acknowledge what your people give the organisation. Every individual brings unique skills, qualities & talents to the workplace. Ideas for doing this can include: speeches; awards; personalised notes; new opportunities; or structured team-building activities.
You could also consider creating an “Acknowledgement Tree” in a communal area, where team members can leave messages of appreciation for one another, wrapping up the year with positivity & gratitude!
But remember, team building is not just for the holidays, it’s for every day. A workplace with foundations of respect, inclusivity, & strong professional boundaries, helps foster an environment where people care & contribute meaningfully. Setting the scene, for a thriving workplace.
Ready to Strengthen Your Workplace Culture?
At Offload NOW, we specialise in helping businesses like yours, build a workplace culture that’s both inclusive & dynamic. If you’re ready to create an annual program that supports your team & strengthens your workplace culture, we’re here to help. Whether you’re looking for guidance or hands-on support, we’ll tailor solutions to fit your needs.
Reach out today for a chat - & let’s take that first step towards a more engaged, vibrant team!