March Employee Engagement Ideas to Re-Energize Your Team

March is a time of renewal, both for the environment and your workplace. As winter melts away, employees often experience a shift in energy. This is the perfect opportunity to harness the season's vibe and breathe new life into your team’s engagement. Whether it's the excitement of spring or the various observances happening this month, March offers a rich palette of opportunities to reinvigorate your workforce.

But why does employee engagement in March matter so much?

The answer is simple: after the post-holiday lull, employee engagement often takes a dip in the early months of the year. By taking action now, you can set the tone for a productive, motivated, and energized team for the rest of the year.

In this blog, we’ll explore creative and meaningful employee engagement ideas that are perfectly suited for March. Whether you’re in an office, working remotely, or in a hybrid environment, we have the answer for all. From team-building activities to wellness initiatives and cultural celebrations, let’s make sure your team feels appreciated, motivated, and connected

Creative Employee Engagement Ideas for March

March is the ideal time to refresh your team’s energy after the winter months and harness the power of spring’s promise of renewal.

With important observances like Employee Appreciation Day and International Women’s Day, this month offers a perfect backdrop for a variety of engagement activities.

Let’s explore some creative ideas to get your team excited, engaged, and ready to take on the rest of the year.

Building Stronger Teams with Fun & Meaningful Activities

According to Gallup, a lack of team-building and feelings of loneliness at work can reduce productivity by upto 21%.

Team-building activities don’t have to be reserved for the occasional retreat or annual event. In fact, March provides a wonderful opportunity to weave team spirit into the fabric of your workplace culture through a few fun and collaborative activities.

1. Outdoor Team Challenges

If the weather allows, consider organizing a field day filled with classic challenges like relay races, tug-of-war, and obstacle courses. It’s a great way to get everyone moving and working together outside the office.

2. Team Outings

If you’re in a location with a thriving sports culture, why not plan a company outing to a local game? It provides a relaxed setting where employees can mingle and bond without the pressures of work.

3. Spirit Days & Company Swag

A simple yet effective way to energize the office is by organizing a spirit day where everyone sports company-branded gear. It's a light-hearted way to instill pride in the team and set the tone for a productive day.

Celebrating March Holidays with Purpose

March is brimming with opportunities to celebrate key holidays, but the trick is to make these celebrations meaningful and aligned with your workplace culture.

Employee Appreciation Day on March 7th and International Women’s Day on March 8th are two perfect occasions to recognize individual efforts and weave in larger company values like recognition, inclusion, and support.

Additionally, celebrating March as Women’s History Month is pivotal to the contributions of women and highlights the importance of gender equity in the workplace.

Finally, celebrate the fun spirit of St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th by hosting an office decor contest or treating the team to some festive snacks. You can even take it up a notch with themed activities like a “lucky draw” with fun prizes.

Now, let’s take a detailed look at these days to understand how they can be celebrated.

Celebrating Employee Appreciation Day (March 7th)

Employee Appreciation Day is a moment to stop and truly recognize your team’s dedication and hard work. Do not consider it as just another calendar date. Instead, consider it an opportunity to show employees that their efforts are seen, valued, and appreciated.

The key is to go beyond the basic gestures and focus on what truly resonates with your team. Here are some examples that you can try this March -

1. Non-Monetary Rewards: The Power of Flexibility

While monetary bonuses can be nice, non-monetary rewards have been shown to be more motivating in the long run.

For instance, flexible time off can profoundly affect employee morale. It’s a simple but powerful gesture that shows trust and respect for your team’s work-life balance. Offering employees the chance to take a “mental health day” or a half-day off without the strings of monetary penalties creates a culture where well-being is prioritized.

2. Leadership-Driven Recognition

Leadership recognition is one of the most impactful ways to show appreciation. When leaders take accountability to recognize the hard work of employees personally, it fosters a culture of respect and admiration. Here are a few ways leaders can take the lead in showing appreciation:

• A thoughtful, personalized thank-you email from leadership expressing genuine gratitude can go a long way.
• Spotlighting employees in company newsletters or on social media platforms acknowledges their contributions and gives them a moment to shine in front of their peers.
• Recognizing work anniversaries and milestones during company meetings is an excellent way to celebrate long-term dedication and contribution.

Source: Vantage Rewards Service Yearbook

3. Peer-to-Peer Recognition: Amplifying Appreciation

Employee recognition coming from the leadership is good. But do you know what’s even better? It’s when peers celebrate and recognize one another. Peer-to-peer recognition creates a culture where appreciation flows in all directions. Here are some ideas for peer recognition:

• Implementing a Peer-Nominated award system where employees nominate their colleagues for outstanding contributions encourages everyone to appreciate the efforts of others.
• Set up a Digital or Physical Appreciation Board where employees can post messages of thanks and praise for their peers.

Source: Vantage Rewards Peer Recognition

4. Meaningful Rewards & Experiences

While small gestures like thank-you notes or emails are essential, making them meaningful is equally important to make a lasting impact. These rewards show employees that their work is truly valued and that they’re a crucial part of the team.

Here are some ideas for rewards and experiences to make it memorable for your employees -

• Hosting a casual lunch or happy hour for the team to unwind and connect with colleagues in a relaxed setting. This is a great way to bond and build stronger relationships.
• Treating employees to a spa treatment or wellness experience can help reduce stress and show that you care about their mental well-being.
• Consider bringing in an on-site masseuse or wellness coach for a day for a more hands-on approach. It’s a great way to show employees that you’re committed to their well-being in a tangible, impactful way.

Women’s History Month & International Women’s Day (March 8th)

March is the perfect time to reflect on and honor the contributions of women throughout history. Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day (March 8th) provide an excellent opportunity to highlight the achievements of women in the workplace and beyond.

However, it’s important to go beyond social media posts and symbolic gestures. To truly support gender diversity, you need to implement initiatives that create a more inclusive and empowering environment for women at work. Here are some examples -

1. Learning & Virtual Engagement: Educating & Empowering Your Team

One of the best ways to promote gender equity is through education. By providing opportunities for employees to learn about the achievements of women and the importance of gender inclusion, you can spark meaningful conversations and drive positive change in the workplace. Here are some ideas:

• Hosting a Lunch-and-Learn session where employees can learn about influential women leaders, both in history and in the present, is an impactful way to celebrate the month.
• Invite guest speakers specializing in gender equity to discuss the importance of creating an inclusive workplace and how individuals can contribute to this effort.
• Create a book club focused on works written by women or centered around women’s issues.

2. Recognition & Empowerment: Celebrating Women in the Workplace

Recognition is a key element in promoting gender diversity. By acknowledging the accomplishments and contributions of women in the workplace, you send a clear message about the importance of gender equity within your organization. Here are some ways you can celebrate women in your workplace.

• Create an award such as "Woman of the Year" Award to recognize the outstanding contributions of female employees.
• Highlight the work of female employees on your company’s social media platforms. This inspires others by showcasing role models within the organization.
• Organize a panel discussion with female leaders within your company or industry to share their experiences and advice.

3. Community & Social Action: Making a Broader Impact

Beyond the workplace, Women’s History Month is a time to support women’s causes and make a broader impact in the community. Here are some ways your company can engage in charitable activities that promote gender equality and empower women.

• Encourage employees to support women-owned businesses, whether through purchases or partnerships. You could even invite local women entrepreneurs to share their experiences with your team.
• Host a donation drive or match employee donations to organizations that focus on supporting women’s health, education, and equality. These initiatives align your company with social causes that matter to employees.

Spring Forward: Energizing Your Team with Seasonal Activities

The arrival of spring offers a unique chance to inject new energy into your workplace. The season is synonymous with renewal, and this can be reflected in your engagement efforts.

These efforts can be in the form of outdoor activities, creative challenges, or sustainability initiatives.

• As the weather improves, organize outdoor team-building events like nature walks, scavenger hunts, or even a company-wide gardening or tree planting initiative.
• Tap into the spirit of renewal with DIY workshops like creating spring-themed terrariums or a spring swag design competition. These activities inspire creativity while allowing employees to have fun and unwind.
• Encourage your team to participate in eco-friendly challenges, like reducing paper waste or using sustainable products.

As we’ve seen, engaging employees in March involves celebrating both the season and your team. But beyond just fun activities, it’s also essential to promote well-being, both physical and mental.

Let’s explore some ways to prioritize wellness in the workplace this month.

Promoting Employee Wellness & Mental Health in March

As the days get longer and spring begins to unfold, employees experience a shift in energy levels. This makes March the perfect time to put wellness initiatives front and center in your employee engagement strategy.

Let’s dive into some innovative and effective wellness strategies that will ensure your team stays healthy, both physically and mentally.

1. Physical Wellness & Self-Care Initiatives

As the weather warms up, physical wellness takes on a new dimension. Encouraging your team to get active can be a fun way to promote overall health while reinforcing company values of care and support.

Here are a few wellness activities that can fit seamlessly into your March engagement plans:

• Take your meetings outside the conference room (or Zoom call) and walk with your team. Walking meetings encourage physical activity and create a relaxed atmosphere where creative ideas flow more freely. Find out more about how to do walking meetings right.
• Show employees that their well-being is a priority by offering flexible time off. A half-day leave, or designated self-care time, gives employees the space to recharge and take care of their mental health.
• Ensure that employees are aware of available Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), which can provide confidential counseling and support. These programs can be a lifeline for those struggling with personal or work-related issues.

2. Supporting Mental & Emotional Well-being

Employee wellness is not just about physical health. It’s equally about mental and emotional well-being. By offering resources and creating an environment that supports mental health, you’ll help employees feel more balanced, valued, and engaged. Here are a few ideas to get started:

• Encourage employees to step away from their desks and recharge with midday fitness sessions. Whether it’s yoga, stretching, or a quick workout class, these sessions promote physical health and mental relaxation.
• Guided meditation and mindfulness workshops can help employees reduce stress and improve focus.
• Consider offering virtual or in-person cooking classes focused on healthy, easy-to-make meals. Promoting nutrition and healthy eating can contribute to improved energy levels and overall well-being.

3. Encouraging a Healthy Work-Life Balance

After a busy start to the year, many employees may feel the pressure to keep up the momentum. Encouraging time for relaxation and personal pursuits will help avoid burnout and boost overall engagement.

• Consider offering employees the flexibility to work from home or adjust their schedules as needed. This helps reduce stress and allows them to manage family, personal, and work commitments more effectively.
• Host a digital detox challenge to encourage employees to take breaks from their screens. For example, you could incentivize employees to walk, engage in non-screen hobbies, or even turn off email notifications for an hour during the workday.

Offering wellness perks using a dedicated wellness platform can make fostering a healthy work-life balance a lot easier.

Fun & Creative March Engagement Activities

While wellness is crucial, engagement doesn’t always have to be serious. Sometimes, a bit of fun and creativity is exactly what your team needs to feel connected and re-energized.

Here are some fun and creative activities that can spark joy and motivation in your team:

• Host a light-hearted office competition or trivia night that revolves around fun themes.
• Create a scavenger hunt that takes employees on a journey through the company’s history or mission.
• Hold a contest where employees can decorate their workspaces with a spring theme. Reward the most creative designs with fun prizes.

Encouraging Social Responsibility & Community Engagement

March is also a perfect opportunity to engage with the community and reinforce your company’s values. Social responsibility and community involvement can be powerful tools for improving employee engagement. This also helps enhance your brand image as a responsible and caring organization.

Let’s look at some ways to encourage community engagement this month:

1. Organizing Company-Wide Volunteer Days

A volunteer day is an excellent way to unite your team for a common cause, all while making a tangible difference in your community. It can be in the form of -

• helping out at a local food bank,
• cleaning up a park, or
• volunteering at a homeless shelter

These activities allow employees to give back, build relationships with their colleagues, and feel proud of their company’s efforts to support the community.

2. Donation-Matching Programs

Offering employees the chance to donate to a cause they care about, with the company matching their contributions, is a simple yet impactful way to show your support for social causes.

Choose a charity or set up a system where employees can nominate causes they are passionate about. Your company can match donations up to a certain amount, doubling the impact employees can make.

3. Supporting Sustainable Practices

Encourage employees to take part in sustainability challenges such as -

• reducing waste,
• going paperless, or
• participating in a recycling program.

You could also organize a company-wide tree planting or park cleanup event, helping to create a lasting environmental impact.

4. Educational Sessions on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Another way to engage employees and elevate your company’s community involvement is by hosting educational sessions on CSR. These can be webinars or workshops focused on sustainability, corporate ethics, or charitable giving.

Wrapping Up March: Continuing the Momentum

Now that you have various creative and meaningful employee engagement ideas for March, it’s time to take action! Whether you’re organizing a wellness challenge, celebrating cultural diversity, or giving back to the community, the key is to create experiences that connect employees to the company and a greater purpose.

The possibilities for engaging your team are endless. But they all start with one simple step of taking action.

Don’t wait for the next big holiday to show your team how much they’re valued. Start by taking a few of these March engagement ideas and tailor them to fit your company’s unique culture. Let’s get started today. Plan your March engagement activities now and watch your team thrive!

This article is written by Nilotpal M Saharia, a Content Specialist and Recognition and Rewards Evangelist at Vantage Circle. With a Master in Business Administration and a rich background spanning over eight years, he has cultivated expertise in diverse domains, including marketing, content creation, entrepreneurship, and human resources.

In addition to being a regular contributor at Vantage Circle, Nilotpal's article was also featured on Select Software Reviews.

For any related queries, contact editor@vantagecircle.com