Sometimes the best employee engagement ideas start with a simple suggestion.
Recently, in response to employee feedback about fostering casual opportunities for team connection, we broadcasted FIFA matches at multiple sites, including our sites in Bedford, Massachusetts, and Mukilteo, Washington. During the FIFA knockout rounds through the championship final, employees came together to enjoy the excitement of the tournament while building connections across teams and locations.
At Bedford, the cafeteria became a gathering place where employees watched matches during breaks and lunch and discussed tournament highlights, celebrating the teams and countries they were supporting. In Mukilteo, employees organized a casual watch party for the England-Argentina match in the site’s break room, creating another opportunity for people to gather around a shared interest.
While some employees watched matches together, many of the connections happened afterward. Conversations continued in hallways and workspaces as employees debated matchups and shared reactions to tournament moments. These informal interactions helped extend the sense of community beyond the matches themselves.
Many participants wore team jerseys, national colors, and soccer gear, creating a vibrant atmosphere that reflected the diversity of our workforce. Employees shared stories about their favorite teams and personal connections to countries competing on the world stage.
The experience served as a reminder that meaningful connections often begin with simple moments. By bringing employees together around a global event, we created opportunities to live our value to Be a Great Team through shared experiences and genuine connections.
By Kim Mejia, Senior Director of Global Quality & EHS Management Systems and ERG Leader
