5 Summer Employee Engagement Activities to Add to Your Agenda

HR leaders are always looking for ways to boost engagement. Take advantage of ‌longer days and warmer temperatures with creative summer employee engagement activities.

Curated activities help your workforce disrupt their daily ‌routines. These events help team members build camaraderie and connection both with each other and with the company.

Using the summer to prioritize employee well-being and foster a sense of community, you cultivate a motivated and productive workforce that will thrive throughout the year. Embrace these summer employee engagement ideas, and watch as your team's energy and enthusiasm soar to new heights.

Foster Fun Friends and Family Outings 👨‍👩‍👧

Look at holding family-friendly outings for the whole workforce, such as picnics in the park, trips to the beach, and outdoor movie screenings. These events can foster camaraderie and give employees the opportunity to socialize with each other outside the office. They bring team members together without the pressure of work obligations.

Another approach is offering employees recognition and rewards that include fun activities they can participate in with friends and family during summer vacations. For example, encourage peer recognition of employees who uphold company values, and treat the folks with the most nominations to fun experiences.

Give People a Break With Summer Shutdowns 🌞

One of the best ways to engage employees is to give them a break so they can come back to work feeling fresher and more motivated. Many businesses build paid time off into the summer schedule, such as offering long weekends or shutting down for a few days. This emphasizes the cultural value of taking time away and promotes work-life balance.

Providing breaks gives team members more time to focus on their families and themselves — and shows that you care about employee happiness and well-being. The more employees feel that you want them to be happy and healthy, the greater their loyalty will be.

Share Ideas in a Summer Book Club 📚

Start a summer book club where employees can read and discuss books related to personal growth, leadership, or industry-specific topics. By gathering around reading, employees can gain insight about work-relevant topics and learn to think critically about different points of view.

These conversations and activities can help ‌foster community and increase morale. Employees get a space to share their experiences and advice with each other.

Inspire Well-Being Through Health and Wellness Activities 👟

Consider a summer wellness challenge that promotes healthy habits. Encouraging employees to prioritize their well-being during the summer months can have a positive impact on their overall health, satisfaction, and productivity. You might include activities like step-count competitions, hydration challenges, or encouraging employees to take breaks for stretching and relaxation.

To make the summer wellness challenge more engaging and interactive, select a platform or online community where employees can track their progress, share tips, and support one another.

Connect Across Shared Purpose at Company Volunteer Days 🫶

Shared purpose can be a powerful connector. Company-wide volunteer days can engage your team and build a sense of community — and employees can have a great time doing it. Volunteering can help employees bond with each other and witness how their teamwork improves the community. These meaningful moments pave the way for greater connection and purpose.

Volunteering can also give employees an opportunity to develop new skills, build relationships outside work, and gain a sense of accomplishment. Before selecting such activities, solicit ideas for charities or organizations that team members are most passionate about supporting.