Utilise check-ins and being able to talk to your line manager about how work is going.Limit the proliferation of various outlets and providing a hub for all communication channels including discussion boards to share ideas to help alleviate information overload.Use an online platform as an ad hoc messaging tool for quick comments and suggestions together with positive attachments, links, or images that allows both informal sharing and work-based conversations to occur.Set a daily alarm call to ensure you get up and mobilise and even create a virtual or replacement commute – walking or running – as if you were going to the office.Whether you’re back in the office socially distanced, working from home or a combination of the two, here are just a few examples of how you can bring back those virtual water cooler moments and improve your wellbeing at the same time. With the remote dispersed work environment, it can result in people feeling detached, lonely and fractured from the organisations culture and values.The virtual day of back to back meetings may cause a reduction in reflection time to reassess and put things into context or perspective.Information overload through various channels such as Teams, Zoom, Slack, and emails reducing the spontaneous and informal sharing of knowledge with colleagues.Limited social interaction with colleagues and reduced opportunities for laughter and fun.Limited breaks with continuous screen time exposure with back to back virtual meetings.Here's what you get when you don’t have those unplanned, informal interactions: The spontaneity triggered by a chance unplanned interaction with a colleague cannot be underestimated when compared to having to arrange a formal Teams / Zoom meeting or an email chain to discuss a particular topic or issue. There is a danger that these impromptu opportunities to catch up informally and bounce ideas off one another or seek clarification over an issue will be lost. However, on the flip side, lots of thought has been shared on the importance of not losing the unscripted, informal interactions gained from the face-to-face often chance meetings such as those we would encounter in the physical workplace. Since we entered the various lockdown phases and the general shift to remote working a lot has been written and discussed how employees and businesses can utilise and embrace these new working practices. Develop ongoing and build new professional relationships.Personal reflection time to reassess and put things into context or perspective.The opportunity for formal and informal sharing of knowledge with colleagues.Interaction with colleagues and hopefully an opportunity for laughter.Taking a break from prolonged screen time and a little physical activity to reduce muscular-skeletal injuries and improve wellbeing.Here are the water cooler moments that we miss the most: In a remote work environment, these could potentially be lost opportunities. They also help the social animal within us. The networking gained here can be invaluable in positioning yourself and your projects and avoid being side-lined.įinally, they give you some rest from prolonged screen time and keyboard bashing for extended periods of the day. The unscripted un-recorded meetings can also be used to get unofficial insight, knowledge or a ‘heads up’ of some important news or initiative to ensure you are prepared and onside with such changes. It also provided a great opportunity to build relationships, perhaps support colleagues with advice and guidance or draw down a favour or two that doesn’t subsequently require a more formal meeting. It provided an opportunity to informally spend a few moments with colleagues, those from a different team or business area, and talk about the world outside the workplace, whether that be the weather, the traffic, or to dissect the weekend results for their favourite sports team. The short trip to the water cooler was often used as a physical break from the desk, an opportunity to stretch your legs, take in a different view or perspective out of an alternative window, as well as the physical rehydration and re-energising gained.
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