Remote working presents many novel challenges for employers and employees alike. In particular, it makes team bonding difficult, with research suggesting home workers build weaker relationships than their office counterparts. Whereas a physical office provides plenty of opportunities for organic conversation to spark up, remote working often involves work-only interaction or large team calls where shy members can get left on the wayside.
Furthermore, team bonding is important as it helps solidify an office of colleagues into a unit and avoid factions forming. In addition, when people start a new job, particularly after university or relocating to a new city, the workplace is one of the main places where romances are formed and friendships kindled. So it is important to ensure that those onboarding virtually don’t feel like they are missing the opportunity to socialise and build lasting associations.
Be wary that you do not default to virtual pub quizzes as this can alienate non-drinkers and introverts alike. Instead, create activities for multiple personalities, and outsource the brainstorming process to colleagues to see what they actually want. With this in mind, here are a few ways to encourage team building whilst remote working.
Create A Virtual Breakout Room
A virtual break room allows those who want company on a lunch break to access the virtual space and socialise, just as they would in the physical office; in many online office spaces people only feel comfortable making contact with new colleagues if it is work-related. However, a virtual space would allow those that want to chat the opportunity to do so. I have spoken to a few remote new-starters and all noted that socialising has been slightly enforced at times. This works particularly well because it does not demand participation from colleagues but lets them choose for themselves, just as would occur in the office space.
Hold Remote Competitions
Encourage ongoing competitions which require rolling participation such as an office fantasy football league, and consider throwing a cash price in as well. These leagues (unlike one-time events) can encourage colleagues to chat about the virtual league table, discuss player choices and dialogue in the healthy way that builds friendships slowly but surely. Don’t rely solely on this however, as it can isolate those who do not enjoy football. Alternatively, you could do a daily step challenge to encourage the online office to move, or a press up challenge. The sky- or Skype?- is the limit.
Try An Escape Room
It is easy to be cynical about virtual socialising and to feel it is inherently inferior to the real deal… But done right, virtual team bonding can be engaging, fun and effective- it just requires a little creativity. Virtual escape rooms are a brilliant way to encourage communication, co-operation and most importantly, people to come out of their shells. Plenty of companies offer the experience online.
Organise A Morning Exercise Group
Hosting morning pilates or yoga can encourage healthy habits in workers whilst also providing an opportunity to socialize before the day begins. Suggest that team members - if they wish - can host sessions, as this will add an element of fun to the session. As I have emphasized throughout, forcing socialising can be counterproductive; creating interesting and diverse events is far more likely to bring people out of their shell.
Set Up Colleague Speed Dating
Whilst I have said forcing socialising is not ideal, one idea that can help - particularly in larger teams - is colleague speed dating. This is where workers in the team are matched together with different people each week for a catch-up, allowing a big team to bond on individual levels. Make sure you do not set time limits on the discussion though as this could make it seem inorganic and get in the way of natural conversation.
These are just a few ideas for how you can encourage team bonding in a remote office, but in truth, there are myriad ways it can be done. Most importantly, office spaces should not have one social event on the digital calendar which is compulsory, but diverse events that cater to different personalities. Try a few of these ideas (or brainstorm your own) and don’t allow the virtual office to be a fractured one.
Written by Ross Carver-Carter
Ross Carver-Carter is a Politics and International Relations graduate with a passion for promoting mental health literacy in the workplace and beyond. He has written extensively on wellbeing and the reality of living with a mental health disorder.
