Three benefits of meeting colleagues in person

The novelty of working from home full time and all the perks that come with it, is starting to wear off for some people, with staff admitting they are missing the opportunity to see their colleagues in person. 

A study by Simform, surveying 2000 people working from home, found that seven in 10 employees who are working remotely feel more isolated compared to when they’re in the office and three in five found something lacking in the quality of communication with their co-workers, when not seeing each other face-to-face.

However, even with these views being aired, it has also been widely reported that people do not want to return to the office full time, with a mixture of working from home and meeting colleagues in person highly favoured by the majority.

We take a look at some of the benefits for staff of meeting up with colleagues in person and the solutions available if you no longer have your own office.

1.  Colleague relationships

Working face to face with peers gives colleagues the chance to build a rapport with each other and get to know each other better, which in turn will improve team relationships and the ability to work together effectively. Knowing each other in person and being aware of each other’s working styles and personalities will also help to make online communication smoother and being with colleagues, rather than behind a computer screen, offers more of a chance to ask questions, share opinions and brainstorm fresh ideas – a positive for everyone!

2.  Health and wellbeing

Staff’s health and wellbeing will directly affect their productivity and standard of work. According to verywellmind, a lack of structure can exacerbate feelings of distress, so going into the office on a regular basis will offer a sense of routine and improve wellbeing. Not everyone has a dedicated working space at home either which means many people are forced to work in the same room that they sleep in, which can have a negative impact on mental health. Having regular time in the office would improve this. Seeing colleagues and sharing stories and jokes will also boost people’s moods. 

3.  Professional Relationships

The relationships we form in the office are not always personal. Many people also use the office as a way to build their professional network and learn from their peers.

Conducting business face-to-face and over video calls is very different. Having the chance to meet colleagues in person can help staff to learn new skills and widen their professional circle. When you’re working remotely, you only tend to rub shoulders with the people you directly work with. However, when you’re working alongside people from different departments (or even different companies, if you rent office space in a shared block), then you start to form a different sort of professional network.

These are just some of the benefits of getting out the house and meeting colleagues in person, so why not arrange a face-to-face day with your team?