With the decreasing threat of COVID-19, more companies are asking their employees to return to work. This is creating an interesting shift. Workplace connections have always existed at varying levels based on proximity, personalities, and interests outside of work. But today, team dynamics are even more complex. We now have employees who joined the company remotely during the shutdown — and others who joined from different cities, far from office headquarters.
Do We Want To Return to “Normal”?
Turns out, not everyone is excited about returning to the office. According to Pew Research, approximately six-in-ten U.S. workers who can do their jobs remotely are working from home all or most of the time. Before the rise of the omicron variant, 83% of them chose to do so. Further, more employees now work from home by choice rather than necessity — 61% of those who have an office available to them.
The Year of Workplace Culture
So what should leaders do to make sure their teams – now comprised of in-person, remote, and hybrid employees – get to know each other and stay connected? According to Forbes, 2022 is the “year of workplace culture.”
But what does that mean, and how do leaders build culture? The obvious starting point (to us) is fun. The reality is companies will need to be more intentional than ever about creating touchpoints and programs to connect employees outside of their day-to-day work duties, and the simplest, quickest way to do this is through fun.
How Team Connecting Can Help
Team Connecting activities like virtual game shows, leisure games, and more allow teams to compete against each other with no real consequences. You can create a virtual event so everyone joins regardless of location — or bring your team together in person. Employees can be silly, laugh together, and let their true personalities shine through. You know, the ones you don’t see in the TPS report meetings.
But don’t take our word for it. A recent study by ADP Research Institute found “U.S. workers who feel strongly connected to their employer are 75 times more likely to be engaged than those who do not feel connected.” We also know companies with strong company cultures are more resilient, and able to weather storms out of their control, like pandemics.
Wrap Up
Of course, culture consists of more than just connection. But we think it’s the foundation on which everything else builds. When you create opportunities for your team to forge bonds in a personal way, they become more creative, productive, and collaborative.
Whether it’s your company or your community, we are stronger when we bond. We can make it through challenges we might not face well alone. And the bonus is — we can have fun in the process! To find out how Grin Events can help build your company’s culture foundation, fill out our online form.
