We're Stronger Together - Let's Stay Connected
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“Connecting with others gives us a sense of inclusion, connection, interaction, safety, and community…Staying connected and getting reconnected feeds the flow of goodness which empowers our humanity.”
― Susan C. Young
I’m sure most people were glad to say goodbye to 2020 and there’s hope in the air that 2021 will be a better year. Yet we know that most of us are starting 2021 still working from home. We learnt a lot of lessons from last year, one of the biggest being that we don’t need to be in the office 5 days a week.
With working from home a permanent feature, it’s important to make sure we still feel connected to our colleagues. This connection is called ‘Social Wellbeing’. It consists of different aspects: how we relate, integrate, belong and contribute within society. It refers to our ability to be a part of the community and maintain meaningful relationships. In the workplace an aspect of Social Wellbeing is sometimes referred as “bringing your whole self to work” as it consists of internal and external aspects of our being.
Research shows that Social Wellbeing is deeply connected to our overall wellbeing, e.g. our mental and physical wellbeing.
With all of this in mind, the big question is, how can we create a sense of inclusion and belonging in a digital landscape?
Virtual but Human
I know, Zoom fatigue is real. Not every zoom call has to be draining though. Is there an option to switch up your monthly update or check-in and host something more interactive? Encourage employees to get involved with the conversation. For smaller groups this will be more natural, larger groups can still be interactive via quiz polls etc.
Use this time to allow employees to connect with each other. What have they been up to that month, their favourite Netflix show, a podcast they enjoyed – make it human.
Recognise Each Other
It’s easy to forget to say thank you over email, your inbox is full and you don’t have the time. Yet, a big part of Social Wellbeing is social contribution. Do you have a recognition system in place, and if so, is it widely used? If you don’t have a formal system for recognition, the solution could be as simple as a monthly round up of “thank you’s” and congratulations.
This approach gives the feel good factor. Employees can share kudos in an open forum, and let’s face it, who doesn’t like being recognised for their hard work?
Make the most of Digital
People use social media in their personal life to connect with friends and family, so what about work life? Using 'social media' can help create a relaxed but professional atmosphere to chat with colleagues.
For example Ondo, Mercer’s digital workplace wellbeing app, is designed to help employees interact via pictures, posts, likes, and online communities. These tools channel elements of Social Wellbeing such as; integration, acceptance and contribution.
How? By allowing users to connect with colleagues and share their ideas and contributions. They can also help promote wider wellbeing initiatives within your company. For example, company challenges can be shared via the platform, encouraging employees to take part. This creates a community feel, building connections between colleagues, regardless of location.