Teleworking: how can you stay in touch with your colleagues when you can't see them?

Future of work
February 7, 2023
Published by
Vianney

Today, remote work has become a new standard, with a profound impact on communication, conviviality and, of course, employee health. remote work has many advantages, but employees now need to find new ways of keeping in touch with each other while working remotely and even behind the screen, especially in 100% companies remote work. But how do you create a real world in a virtual office? 

What are the best methods for maintaining the link between employees? And what solutions can be found to deal with the conflicts that can arise from this situation? In this article, we will try to answer your questions and address together the complex subject of maintaining the link with colleagues at a distance.

How to maintain the link between remote employees?

remote work and the introduction of virtual offices have opened the door to infinite possibilities for maintaining links between employees working remotely. For avoid isolation in remote work and flex officesto avoid isolation, you need to establish genuine relationships with your colleagues. The sense of belonging and support that employees receive in a small community is essential to creating a productive and enjoyable working environment.

One of the easiest ways to stay connected is to have regular phone conversations or video meetings. Video conferencing is a great way to maintain eye contact with colleagues and foster greater team cohesion. In addition, this practice allows remote employees not to feel excluded during meetings and informal discussions.

What are the digital tools to foster communication and employee friendliness?

Digital tools offer many opportunities to facilitate communication between very different employees. Interactivity and chat platforms, such as Slack, Teams and Google Meet, for example, make it easy for all employees to share content, information and even photos or videos. 

These tools can be used to chat with colleagues informally or during business meetings. In addition, there are many useful mobile applications to encourage interaction between remote employees.

Finally, there are interactive games that can help break the ice and create a friendly environment within a remote team. Some games are specifically designed to get a team at remote work to connect so they can operate more effectively.

Here are some examples of online games to play with your colleagues: 

  • Skribbl, an online pictionary
  • PopSauce, a blind test with images and quotes
  • The small tub, the timeless classic
  • A werewolf online

How to organize an efficient virtual workspace?

Creating an effective digital workspace is essential to maintain the link between employees working remotely. When each employee has his or her own well-organized personal digital space, tailored to his or her personal needs, this can help improve job satisfaction and productivity

Employees should feel free to use this space to store the materials they need to perform their tasks; they should also have the ability to access information and documents in real time, all accessible through a single location.

It is also essential that each employee has their own personal calendar so that colleagues are aware of their availability and work schedule. It is important that other employees can understand if a colleague is busy or not, and that they can contact him/her when they need him/her.

👉🏻 Deskare users have access to a functionality allowing them to to visualize the planning of their teams or of a particular colleague, so that they are never alone in the office.

What practices can be put in place to manage conflicts from a distance?

Conflict is a part of any business, but it can be even more difficult to manage when remote employees are involved. It is important to identify practices that can help prevent and manage conflict between remote employees. First, managers are advised to establish regular communication with each team member to ensure that everyone feels included and involved in the decision-making process.

The manager must also ensure that a productive collaborative atmosphere is created, encouraging constructive discussion and dialogue between employees - even if they are not physically together. Finally, to keep connections between employees productive, it is important that each member feels free to express their views and ideas without fear of judgment or rejection.

How to create a digital community for your remote employees?

Creating a virtual community within a company can allow employees to foster communication, collaboration and a lasting sense of unity. This can help build strong and lasting relationships between employees who work remotely and those who are in the office.

Virtual coffee breaks organized by managers can be a great way to bring colleagues together while promoting employee well-being. Employees can take part in this moment to chat together informally during a short break. In addition, it allows senior managers to have informal discussions on topics such as organizational culture or specific projects.

Another common practice is to have regular video conferences between remote and in-office employees. This is a great way to ensure that everyone is on the same page and no one feels left out.

Finally, by building team dynamics to help employees get to know each other and become closer, employees can better understand their colleagues and improve their performance. For example, small teams (and not just small teams) can be encouraged to share information about their professional or personal lives, so that they can become closer to each other.

Thanks to modern digital tools and practices, keeping employees connected while working remotely is possible. Simple measures such as having phone and video conversations, using digital tools to exchange information and organizing virtual coffee breaks can help teams stay connected despite the distance. To create a pleasant work environment for everyone, it is necessary to organize an effective virtual workspace and foster a productive collaborative atmosphere. Finally, to manage conflicts that arise between remote collaborators, it is important to establish clear and concise rules to encourage open and constructive communication.