How to Boost Social Connections While Working From Home

More than three-quarters of office workers nationwide are working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most employees enjoy the flexibility that remote work offers and would welcome the opportunity to continue working remotely at least part of the week post-pandemic. As we get ready to enter the eleventh month of remote work, most employees are using video conferencing very effectively and leveraging digital tools with almost no productivity drops. However, one significant aspect of office life that has not remained the same is social interactions. Water cooler conversations or company holiday parties are not the same online. Social interaction is one of the things people miss the most in our new remote work reality. 

If your employees are struggling with creating meaningful connections with their colleagues online, they’re not alone. The good news is small intentional steps by employers can make a big difference in the employee experience. Here are our top five recommendations:

1. Promote Acts of Kindness

Social isolation--common among those doing their part to fight the pandemic--can lead to anxiety. Pre-pandemic, employees spent most of their time at their workplace, making the office one of the top places where most people socialized. During the pandemic, interaction with colleagues suddenly went digital. Unplanned social interaction crucial to building social connections, such as chit chat between meetings or running into someone in the hallway, cannot be easily replicated online. Working remotely can exacerbate isolation, a feeling shared by many during this pandemic. 

Employers can lessen the impact of lack of social connection in the workplace by actively promoting acts of kindness. Lead by example and encourage sharing peer-to-peer thank you messages or even sending handwritten notes by mail. Most everyone is struggling in their own way and would appreciate some kind words or acknowledgment for their efforts. Employers can also increase social connections between employees virtually by organizing events that promote social interaction like virtual team building activities or charity events.

2. Host Virtual Face-To-Face Meetings 

According to a Gallup poll, having a friend at work will make you seven times more likely to produce better work and deliver excellent customer service. Making new friendships is more challenging in a remote workplace, especially for employees who joined during the pandemic. Although not perfect, virtual face-to-face meetings can help foster social bonds between coworkers. The simple act of turning on your camera can also make a virtual meeting more personal. HR teams should  also consider organizing small group gatherings for new employees. Although zoom fatigue is real, hosting face-to-face meetings digitally helps boost social connections in the workplace beyond chat and email.

3. Implement an Employee Wellness Program

An employee wellness program is an effective way for employers to send a clear message to their employees that their well-being is important. Many employee wellness programs incorporate group sessions and company-wide competitions, such as step count challenges or financial wellness score challenges. Employee wellness programs help improve your employees’ overall well-being as well as promote social connections in the workplace.

4. Celebrate Special Events

Just because everybody is at home does not mean you should forgo celebrating special occasions such as birthdays and company milestones. All you need is a bit of creativity. Celebrations can make employees feel more connected. Send DIY cocktail kits, craft supplies, party hats, and other necessary items for key events. You can even send cakes for birthday celebrations.

5. Encourage Work-Life Balance

Remote work done right can empower employees to achieve work-life balance. However, a significant number of remote workers  today feel burnt out due to more job responsibilities and pressure compared to pre-pandemic times. Employers need to manage employee burnout carefully. Lead by example with work-life balance prioritization and promote a culture of taking time off when needed. 

Employers are challenged with replicating social connections in the digital workplace. Remote work will stay with us for the foreseeable future, and employers need to find creative ways for employees to feel socially connected. Promoting acts of kindness, hosting face-to-face virtual meetings, implementing an employee wellness program, celebrating special events, and encouraging work-life balance are some of our favorite places to start.