When the COVID-19 pandemic began, remote work was a fringe benefit for some organizations. Now, nearly 40% of employees have transitioned to remote working arrangements, according to a survey from Boston Consulting Group. This signals the new workplace reality: Remote work is here to stay.
Unfortunately, that’s not a welcomed change for many people. Employers and employees are concerned about burnout and dwindling employee connections. Considering that impromptu hallway talks and quick chats after meetings are effectively gone, this sentiment is understandable. With staff virtually isolated, it can seem like entire teams have been broken up into individual silos, no longer operating in tandem.
However, remote work doesn’t need to come at the cost of human connections. With a little effort, we can help foster virtual connections.