Looking for some unique employee engagement contest ideas for your organization? Look no further! Here are 25 creative ideas to help boost morale, foster teamwork, and increase employee engagement in a fun and exciting way.
What Is an Employee Engagement Contest?
Employee engagement contest refers to any competition or challenge designed to promote and enhance employee engagement within a company. These contests are a great way to motivate employees, build camaraderie, and create a positive work culture.
It can be anything from a simple team-building activity to a company-wide competition with prizes and rewards. These contests can be an effective tool for boosting employee morale, building relationships, and promoting overall well-being in the workplace.
How do employee engagement contests benefit the company?
A study by the Harvard Business Review found that companies with highly engaged employees have a 3.5 times higher revenue growth rate compared to their competitors with low engagement levels.
Employee engagement contests benefit the company by promoting a positive and inclusive workplace culture, enhancing employee satisfaction and retention, and improving overall team dynamics.
They also encourage creativity, innovation, and continuous learning among employees, which can lead to new ideas and improvements within the organization.The Corporate Leadership Council found that engaged employees are 87% less likely to leave their jobs than disengaged employees.
Additionally, these contests can boost brand visibility and support broader business objectives such as sustainability or customer service excellence.
25 Brilliant Employee Engagement Contest Ideas
What can I do for employee engagement? You can run different fun competitions. I have some ideas of individual and team competition in the workplace. Some are easy to set up and don’t require a lot of resources, while others may take more planning and preparation. Let’s learn each of them.
#1. Office Scavenger Hunt
Want some friendly team competition ideas? You can encourage teamwork and a bit of a friendly contest with an office scavenger hunt. Create a list of items or tasks spread across your office or virtually. Participants can work in teams to find items or complete tasks, fostering collaboration and problem-solving skills.
This activity not only breaks the monotony of the daily routine but also encourages employees to interact with different departments, enhancing inter-departmental relationships.
#2. Health and Wellness Challenge
Promote a healthy lifestyle among employees with a wellness challenge. Set up a month-long contest where employees track their daily steps, water intake, or mindfulness practice.
Use a leaderboard to encourage friendly competition and offer incentives for milestones reached. This contest not only engages employees but also emphasizes the importance of health and well-being in the workplace.
#3. Innovation Hackathon
Host a hackathon where employees can pitch and develop innovative ideas that could benefit your company. This contest can span a day or several weeks, allowing teams to brainstorm, prototype, and present their ideas.
This fosters a culture of innovation and gives employees a platform to showcase their creativity and skills, potentially leading to groundbreaking new projects.
#4. Charity Fundraising Competition
Organize a charity fundraising contest where teams compete to raise money for a cause of their choice. This not only engages employees in a meaningful activity but also promotes corporate social responsibility.
Encourage creative fundraising methods and recognize the team that raises the most funds. This builds team spirit and highlights your company’s commitment to giving back to the community.
#5. Recipe Cook-off
Host a cook-off contest where employees can bring in their homemade dishes. Organize a tasting event where everyone votes for their favorite dish.
This is a great way to celebrate the diverse culinary talents and backgrounds in your organization. It encourages employees to share a part of their culture and fosters community and belonging.
#6. Virtual Reality (VR) Gaming Tournament
Looking for virtual contest ideas for employees? Leverage technology for engagement by organizing a VR gaming tournament. This can be an exciting break from the regular workday and is perfect for remote teams.
It encourages collaboration and communication in a fun, interactive setting. Plus, it introduces employees to emerging technologies, aligning with a forward-thinking company culture.
#7. Talent Show
Organize an office talent show where employees can showcase their non-work-related talents. This can range from singing, dancing, and magic tricks to stand-up comedy. It’s a great way to discover hidden talents and encourages employees to express themselves creatively, strengthening the bond within your team.
#8. “Shark Tank” Style Innovation Contest
Inspired by the TV show “Shark Tank,” this contest allows employees to pitch their business ideas to a panel of internal ‘sharks’ or leaders. It not only fosters a spirit of entrepreneurship but also allows employees to directly engage with leadership, potentially leading to new initiatives or improvements within the company.
#9. Photography Contest
Organize a photography contest with a specific theme relevant to your business or the current season. Employees can submit their photographs, which can be showcased in the office or on the company’s social media. This contest allows employees to explore their artistic side and brings a personal touch to the workplace.
#10. “Best Desk Decoration” Contest
Encourage employees to personalize and decorate their workspace. This can be aligned with themes like sustainability, holidays, or company values. It makes the workplace more vibrant and allows employees to express their individuality, improving their connection to their workspace.
Read also: Office Christmas decorating contest ideas
#11. Book Club Challenge
Start a book club where employees can read and discuss books related to their industry or personal interests. This not only promotes learning and personal development but also encourages teamwork and builds relationships.
#12. Puzzle Contest
Organize a puzzle competition where employees can complete a puzzle alone or in teams. This contest can be designed around different themes, such as company history, products, or famous landmarks. It promotes problem-solving and teamwork while also encouraging friendly competition.
#13. “Best Customer Feedback” Contest
Motivate your customer-facing employees by recognizing those who receive outstanding customer feedback. This not only boosts morale but also emphasizes the importance of customer service excellence, aligning employee engagement with business objectives.
#14. Social Media Ambassador Program
Encourage employees to become brand ambassadors on social media. Recognize those who actively promote your company culture, events, or achievements on their personal social media platforms. This leverages employee networks for brand visibility and fosters a sense of pride in the company.
#15. Sustainability Challenge
Host a challenge that promotes sustainable practices, like reducing waste or energy consumption. Employees can track their daily sustainable actions, contributing to a greener workplace. This encourages responsible behavior and aligns with broader environmental objectives, enhancing the company’s image as an eco-conscious organization.
#16. “Inspirational Leader” Recognition Program
Create a program that recognizes and celebrates inspirational leaders within your organization. This can be based on employee nominations or performance metrics, highlighting the impact of strong leadership on employee engagement and overall company success.
#17. Best Seller Contest
Host a contest where employees can submit their own creative products, such as books, artwork, or inventions. This promotes employee creativity and innovation while also showcasing the diverse talents within your organization.
#18. Trivia Games
How do you engage employees in a fun way? Organize a trivia contest around topics related to your business or industry. This activity is a fun way to promote learning and knowledge sharing among employees while also encouraging friendly competition.
#19. Costume Contest
Promote employee engagement by encouraging them to dress up in costumes for holidays, company events, or themed days. Host a costume contest and recognize the most creative or best-dressed employee with prizes.
Whether it’s a Halloween costume or a Christmas ugly sweater contest, this initiative adds a touch of fun and creativity to the workplace, fostering team spirit and inclusivity.
#20. “Random Acts of Kindness” Challenge
Inspire employees to spread kindness within and outside the workplace. Encourage them to perform small acts of kindness, such as buying a colleague’s coffee or volunteering in the community. This promotes a positive culture of giving back and supports employee well-being and mental health.
#21. Escape Room Challenge:
Set up an escape room challenge in your office or virtually. Participants can work in teams to solve puzzles and clues to escape the room within a set time limit. This activity promotes critical thinking, collaboration, and communication while also being a fun and immersive experience.
#22. Karaoke Contest:
Host a karaoke contest where employees can showcase their singing skills. This activity is a great way to break the ice and boost morale while also encouraging employees to express themselves creatively.
#23. Video Competition:
Organize a video competition where employees can create and submit videos related to your business or industry. This contest allows employees to showcase their creativity and communication skills while also promoting teamwork and friendly competition.
#24. Employee of the Month Award:
Recognize outstanding employees with an Employee of the Month award. This award can be based on different criteria, such as outstanding performance, teamwork, or innovation. This recognition promotes a positive work culture and encourages employees to go above and beyond in their work.
#25. Sport Tournaments:
Organize sport tournaments or games, such as basketball, soccer, chess or table tennis. This promotes physical activity and healthy competition among employees, while also fostering teamwork and camaraderie. It can also be a great opportunity for team building and strengthening relationships within the organization.
Check out the below video content on Team Building Games, that can engage employees and improve their activity.
Prize Ideas of Employee Contest Ideas
What should you give the winner of the employee contest ideas? Here are some ideas for you. Some are individual prizes, and some are team prizes. Let’s know about each of them.
Individual Prizes:
- Cash reward or gift card
- Extra vacation days
- Special parking spot for a month
- Personalized trophy or plaque
- Professional development workshop or conference tickets
Team Prizes:
- Team lunch or dinner outing
- Company-wide recognition and announcement of the winning team
- Additional resources or budget for team projects
- Fun team-building activities, such as escape rooms or laser tag
- Donation to a charity of the winning team’s choice on behalf of the company.
FAQs on Employee Engagement Contest Ideas
What are employee engagement activities in HR?
Employee engagement activities in HR refer to initiatives and programs designed to foster a sense of commitment, motivation, and satisfaction among employees. These can range from team-building exercises, recognition programs, wellness activities, and contests that promote personal growth, positive workplace culture, and alignment with organizational goals.
How do I choose the right employee engagement contest?
When choosing an employee engagement contest, consider your company’s culture, objectives, and employees’ interests. You can also gather ideas through surveys or focus groups to ensure that the chosen contest resonates with the majority of your employees. Have a mix of activities that cater to different preferences and skill sets to keep everyone engaged.
Finally, make sure to clearly communicate the rules and objectives of the contest to ensure fair participation. Overall, a successful employee engagement contest should be fun, inclusive, and aligned with your company’s values and goals. So get creative and have fun engaging your employees!
How do we do fun team meetings?
Fun team meetings can be achieved by incorporating interactive and engaging activities, such as trivia games, icebreaker challenges, or group exercises. These activities not only promote team bonding but also make the meetings more enjoyable and productive.
Additionally, involving employees in decision-making and recognizing their contributions can also make meetings more engaging and foster a positive work environment.
Can I run an employee engagement contest from home?
Yes, you can run an employee engagement contest from home. Here, I have some work-from-home contest ideas for you. You can organize virtual activities like online scavenger hunts, remote costume contests, online cooking or baking contests, online photo contests, or even a virtual happy hour.
You can also encourage employees to participate in personal challenges related to wellness, sustainability, or creativity from their homes. The key is to ensure that everyone feels included and has the necessary resources to participate.
Conclusion
Employee engagement is a crucial aspect of any successful organization. By implementing these 20 creative ideas, you can boost employee morale, foster a positive company culture, and ultimately drive business success.
Remember to regularly evaluate your initiatives and adapt them to the changing needs and interests of your employees. With engaged and motivated employees, your company will thrive in today’s competitive market.
