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NORMA Group’s 27 locations are spread throughout the globe. But the daily routine at the sites consists of more than just work – there are also team events. The occasions, just like the employees, are extremely diverse. Whether the occasion is Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, New Year’s Day, Midsummer’s Eve or Halloween, spending time with colleagues away from the office strengthens the sense of community.
Unfortunately, it was not possible for many events to take place as usual due to the Corona pandemic. But with the appropriate measures in place, celebrating together did not have to be canceled even during such difficult times.
Halloween in the USA
This was demonstrated by the employees at the NORMA Group site in St. Clair, Michigan, for example. They celebrated Halloween together in October 2020. The occasion included a pumpkin carving contest and other activities. Participants had the opportunity to carve a spooky or funny face. With a candle inside, the pumpkins became the perfect Halloween decoration.
Results of the pumpkin carving contest
Midsummer in Sweden and a cozy break
The traditional Midsummer Festival takes place in Sweden at the end of June. A large part of the Swedish population celebrates the summer solstice together with family and friends. The menu usually includes herring and schnapps. The Midsummer pole is also set up and decorated so that people can dance around it. A celebration was also held on this occasion at the NORMA Group site in Anderstorp.
The midsummer pole and a traditional midsummer meal
Before the big summer vacations in Sweden got started, employees in Anderstop spent a pleasant break together – the so-called “Fika”. The break not only included Italian coffee and pastries, but also gifts: A basket with a blanket to enjoy the “Fika” even when it gets cold together with a coffee cup with the “ABA 125 years” logo, on the occasion of ABA’s 125th anniversary.
Fika – a short break from the usual work routine
New Year celebration in Thailand
Songkran, the Thai New Year, takes place from April 13 to 15. Employees at the NORMA Group site in Chonburi had the opportunity to celebrate the festival together. In keeping with tradition, a small amount of water was poured over the hands of the older colleagues. This custom is performed to show respect to the older generation and to give them best wishes for the future.
Jasmine flowers are first added to the water to give it a pleasant scent
International Women’s Day in the Czech Republic
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, something very special was prepared at the NORMA Group site in Hustopeče. No personal congratulations could be made due to the Corona pandemic. To make up for this gap, there were 400 flowers ready in the entrance area of the building – one for each female and male employee. The women were allowed to take a flower of their choice, while the men could give a flower to a woman close to them.
A selection of flowers for the employees
Festive spirit in Portugal
Various events to strengthen the sense of community are also held at the NORMA Group site in Lifial in Portugal. On Father’s Day, for example, employees’ children got to draw their fathers doing their daily tasks. And on Mother’s Day, a drawing competition was held with employee children.
Drawings from Father’s Day and Mother’s Day events
On January 12, 2021, the Lifial site celebrated its 4th anniversary as part of the NORMA Group. Starting with five years of service and continuing in steps of five, employees were presented with a gift, with the size of the gift increasing with the number of years of service. They also received a certificate thanking them for their work over the years.
Gifts and certificate for service anniversaries