Remote work made these colleagues more open with each other, not less
Remote work does not necessarily mean that social connections break down. Instead, it can provide the spark for stronger and better relationships between co-workers.
Working from home has made colleagues more open with each other, according to a recent study. Before the pandemic, the author assumed that remote work would weaken social bonds, but found the opposite. Instead, working remotely brought colleagues closer together and encouraged them to share more about their personal lives. This increased openness led to greater psychological safety, allowing employees to feel more comfortable speaking up about both work and personal challenges.
As a result, colleagues were able to better support one another, such as when one worker took over tasks for a colleague whose father fell ill. These benefits were experienced by people with diverse living situations, including those with and without children or partners, men and women. The study suggests that employers should view remote work as an opportunity to foster personal growth and deeper connections among employees, rather than a cost to social ties.
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