Are social interactions between co-workers important?
Humans are inherently social. We are wired to communicate and share. Happy and healthy humans need solid social connections. Happiness and health, of course, will reflect in your work performance and productivity .
So, the answer is a solid YES, social engagement is extremely important. 👍
In fact, socializing at work promotes a positive perception of the workplace , increasing employee satisfaction . Employers should foster social interactions at work, both at company gatherings and celebrations and in the workplace, to help employees form sound relationships with their co-workers. This contributes to a more productive and successful workforce , increases the overall morale, and improves loyalty . 🤝🏻🤝🏻
Specialists in psychology and sociology have always studied the human need for belonging.
Abraham Maslow includes sense of belonging as a major human need , along with food, safety, and shelter.
People need human contact, so, making connections and building bonds happens naturally. In this light, it’s quite obvious that connecting with others should not be limited to our personal lives. Work relationships are crucial, and a sense of belonging is the major motivator for the workers’ wellbeing. 👩 💼💼
The upside 👍🏻
You’re probably thinking most companies already want their employees to “get along,” while preserving order and decorum, since “you’re there to work, not to make friends.”
But that’s just it. It’s not enough to just be polite and tolerate your co-workers. We’re not talking about overstepping any boundaries or going overboard and start throwing “booze parties” at the office. But employees do need to connect on a more personal level.
What we mean by social engagement is enabling employees to engage socially, with each other and with the company, to allow them to form connections beyond the professional sphere, creating that much needed sense of belonging.
Personal connections are fundamental to happiness and wellbeing because relationships give us emotional support and increase our sense of worth.
Happiness cannot be overlooked as an important aspect of employees’ wellbeing. Friendly relationships with the people we work with—and even our supervisors and our boss—can makes us feel happier in general, appreciated, motivated and more fulfilled in our work.
Some employers might think people socializing at the office means less time devoted to their tasks, and/or less focus, which will decrease productivity. However, studies have clearly proven employees who socialize more create a more enjoyable work environment, which doesn’t lower productivity. It’s the exact opposite.
Good relationships reduce employees’ stress levels, which reflects in better overall health, which increases productivity and improves performance.
.
Studies show healthy and happy employees tend to have higher performance levels , take fewer sick days, and help build a more energic and positive work environment.
This is why it’s important that employers encourage social interaction and engagement in the workplace.
The downside 👎🏻
Regrettably, many employers still believe the only way to increase productivity is by running a tight ship!
Changing minds is not an easy task—changing mentalities is even harder.
Another downside is that building relationships at work can be very intimidating for introverts. 😳 Work can be a very lonely place, but some of us do prefer to be left to our own devices.
Also, even if we are more outgoing and social, it’s not always easy to find ways to bond with colleagues or take things to a more personal level.
But we do spend most of our time at work! Which is why feeling good about our workplace and the people in it is so important.
A work environment that promotes social connection makes employees more dedicated and motivated to do their best, feeling they are part of a community that’s bigger than just themselves, that the company values and mission do have meaning, and that they truly belong!
What can you do?
Employers can create a more social workplace culture by emphasizing the importance of making connections for the social and emotional wellbeing of the workforce as a whole, or implementing a wellness program that employees can undergo together.
Here are a few tips to help you shift to a more social, positive, and healthy workplace culture:
Less stress
High stress levels lead to burnout, or chronic stress, which will eventually lead to low energy, illness and ultimately, absenteeism. Creating social connections at work contributes to significantly decreasing stress levels.
More loyalty
Employees with quality work relationships tend to be more engaged and loyal.
A solid company culture that fosters trust, respect, teamwork, and collaboration and loyalty creates a sense of cohesion in the workplace that motivates people.
Create a social area
If there’s no area in the office where people can feel comfortable to have a casual conversation with colleagues, create a spot where people can socialize for a few minutes without creating a distraction for other co-workers.
If there’s an empty room somewhere, perfect! Just place a few chairs or couches and a table to create a social area for people to hang out in when taking small breaks. If not, a simple but charming “ coffee corner ” near the water cooler. A coffee corner can be squeezed anywhere: a table or piece of furniture that can be used as a small countertop with a coffee machine, coffee, sugar packs, tea bags and an electrical kettle, a few cups and spoons, and you’re set! ☕☕
Share meals
Humans find it easier to bond when sharing food together. In nature, for most animals, it would be unthinkable to share a meal with the enemy… He’s probably the predator, and the prey doesn’t want to smell like lunch!
Employers can use this to foster social engagement by hosting team lunches and company dinners.
Celebrate
Don’t miss out on opportunities to celebrate with your employees. 🥳
Not just the obvious office Christmas party, but also find different reasons to celebrate. For example, create events to recognize employees for their hard work, or celebrate achieving a company goal.
At the very least, hold the usual annual get together and gather people for casual meetings to acknowledge holidays.
Social gatherings are a great way to develop relationships among co-workers, collaborators, and supervisors—this does not mean you won’t foster respect for levels of superiority in the company, but rather create positive respectful relations with leaders.
Positive work environment
A positive work environment, one that promotes positive communication, helps people feel comfortable at the office and with one another.
Positivity can be inspired by using positive and motivational messages.
Here are other tips to help you set the mood:
❥ Promote positive feedback
❥ Promote empathy, especially from those in leading positions
❥ Share knowledge
❥ Don’t criticize, but make suggestions and offer help
❥ Show a genuine interest in other people, but don’t be fake and don’t force a relationship
❥ Practice gratitude
❥ Appreciate small victories and achievements
❥ Do not promote gossip or drama, but practice positive conflict resolution
❥ Create healthy relationships and strong bonds with co-workers.
For employers and leaders, finding ways to promote relatedness among people that work together is not that difficult and is sure to boost performance and productivity!
For employees, it’s a certain path to overall wellness and motivation at work.
Did you like our take on this subject? Be sure to come back for more and browse through our blog for more interesting topics—click here !
Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our company news, promotions, and new blog articles!
Are social interactions between co-workers important?
Humans are inherently social. We are wired to communicate and share. Happy and healthy humans need solid social connections. Happiness and health, of course, will reflect in your work performance and productivity .
So, the answer is a solid YES, social engagement is extremely important. 👍
In fact, socializing at work promotes a positive perception of the workplace , increasing employee satisfaction . Employers should foster social interactions at work, both at company gatherings and celebrations and in the workplace, to help employees form sound relationships with their co-workers. This contributes to a more productive and successful workforce , increases the overall morale, and improves loyalty . 🤝🏻🤝🏻
Specialists in psychology and sociology have always studied the human need for belonging.
Abraham Maslow includes sense of belonging as a major human need , along with food, safety, and shelter.
People need human contact, so, making connections and building bonds happens naturally. In this light, it’s quite obvious that connecting with others should not be limited to our personal lives. Work relationships are crucial, and a sense of belonging is the major motivator for the workers’ wellbeing. 👩 💼💼
The upside 👍🏻
You’re probably thinking most companies already want their employees to “get along,” while preserving order and decorum, since “you’re there to work, not to make friends.”
But that’s just it. It’s not enough to just be polite and tolerate your co-workers. We’re not talking about overstepping any boundaries or going overboard and start throwing “booze parties” at the office. But employees do need to connect on a more personal level.
What we mean by social engagement is enabling employees to engage socially, with each other and with the company, to allow them to form connections beyond the professional sphere, creating that much needed sense of belonging.
Personal connections are fundamental to happiness and wellbeing because relationships give us emotional support and increase our sense of worth.
Happiness cannot be overlooked as an important aspect of employees’ wellbeing. Friendly relationships with the people we work with—and even our supervisors and our boss—can makes us feel happier in general, appreciated, motivated and more fulfilled in our work.
Some employers might think people socializing at the office means less time devoted to their tasks, and/or less focus, which will decrease productivity. However, studies have clearly proven employees who socialize more create a more enjoyable work environment, which doesn’t lower productivity. It’s the exact opposite.
Good relationships reduce employees’ stress levels, which reflects in better overall health, which increases productivity and improves performance.
.
Studies show healthy and happy employees tend to have higher performance levels , take fewer sick days, and help build a more energic and positive work environment.
This is why it’s important that employers encourage social interaction and engagement in the workplace.
The downside 👎🏻
Regrettably, many employers still believe the only way to increase productivity is by running a tight ship!
Changing minds is not an easy task—changing mentalities is even harder.
Another downside is that building relationships at work can be very intimidating for introverts. 😳 Work can be a very lonely place, but some of us do prefer to be left to our own devices.
Also, even if we are more outgoing and social, it’s not always easy to find ways to bond with colleagues or take things to a more personal level.
But we do spend most of our time at work! Which is why feeling good about our workplace and the people in it is so important.
A work environment that promotes social connection makes employees more dedicated and motivated to do their best, feeling they are part of a community that’s bigger than just themselves, that the company values and mission do have meaning, and that they truly belong!
What can you do?
Employers can create a more social workplace culture by emphasizing the importance of making connections for the social and emotional wellbeing of the workforce as a whole, or implementing a wellness program that employees can undergo together.
Here are a few tips to help you shift to a more social, positive, and healthy workplace culture:
Less stress
High stress levels lead to burnout, or chronic stress, which will eventually lead to low energy, illness and ultimately, absenteeism. Creating social connections at work contributes to significantly decreasing stress levels.
More loyalty
Employees with quality work relationships tend to be more engaged and loyal.
A solid company culture that fosters trust, respect, teamwork, and collaboration and loyalty creates a sense of cohesion in the workplace that motivates people.
Create a social area
If there’s no area in the office where people can feel comfortable to have a casual conversation with colleagues, create a spot where people can socialize for a few minutes without creating a distraction for other co-workers.
If there’s an empty room somewhere, perfect! Just place a few chairs or couches and a table to create a social area for people to hang out in when taking small breaks. If not, a simple but charming “ coffee corner ” near the water cooler. A coffee corner can be squeezed anywhere: a table or piece of furniture that can be used as a small countertop with a coffee machine, coffee, sugar packs, tea bags and an electrical kettle, a few cups and spoons, and you’re set! ☕☕
Share meals
Humans find it easier to bond when sharing food together. In nature, for most animals, it would be unthinkable to share a meal with the enemy… He’s probably the predator, and the prey doesn’t want to smell like lunch!
Employers can use this to foster social engagement by hosting team lunches and company dinners.
Celebrate
Don’t miss out on opportunities to celebrate with your employees. 🥳
Not just the obvious office Christmas party, but also find different reasons to celebrate. For example, create events to recognize employees for their hard work, or celebrate achieving a company goal.
At the very least, hold the usual annual get together and gather people for casual meetings to acknowledge holidays.
Social gatherings are a great way to develop relationships among co-workers, collaborators, and supervisors—this does not mean you won’t foster respect for levels of superiority in the company, but rather create positive respectful relations with leaders.
Positive work environment
A positive work environment, one that promotes positive communication, helps people feel comfortable at the office and with one another.
Positivity can be inspired by using positive and motivational messages.
Here are other tips to help you set the mood:
❥ Promote positive feedback
❥ Promote empathy, especially from those in leading positions
❥ Share knowledge
❥ Don’t criticize, but make suggestions and offer help
❥ Show a genuine interest in other people, but don’t be fake and don’t force a relationship
❥ Practice gratitude
❥ Appreciate small victories and achievements
❥ Do not promote gossip or drama, but practice positive conflict resolution
❥ Create healthy relationships and strong bonds with co-workers.
For employers and leaders, finding ways to promote relatedness among people that work together is not that difficult and is sure to boost performance and productivity!
For employees, it’s a certain path to overall wellness and motivation at work.
Did you like our take on this subject? Be sure to come back for more and browse through our blog for more interesting topics—click here !
Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our company news, promotions, and new blog articles!
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