Connections in the Workplace

Written by: Michele O'Donnell, M.S. Human Resources Management

For many employees, the workplace serves as a social outlet - an oasis from what is going on in their non-work lives. In an informal poll of my friends, the workplace gives them the opportunity to have adult conversation, develop friendships and feel connected to something which is important. In today’s working world, employees spend more of their waking hours with their work mates than they do with their families. With this in mind, it is important for business owners and management to understand how crucial these connections are to the organization.

Research has shown that two benefits of positive workplace connections are increased productivity and low turnover. Not surprisingly, the same research shows a correlation between the lack of connectedness and disengagement. With this in mind, it is important to develop a work environment that fosters the building of these connections. Once this environment has been developed, business owners and management also need to be pro-active in encouraging and providing the opportunity for these connects to be made in the workplace, with an awareness towards ensuring that these connections are kept positive and do not turn into the cliquish type behaviors typical of human beings. If this is seen, steps should immediately be taken to right the ship in this area, to make sure employees do not feel isolated from the group. Employers need to also have a pro-active conflict resolution system in place to quickly address negative behaviors and interactions. Negative behaviors such as gossiping, tattle-telling, and backstabbing should be strongly discouraged.

Here are some ways to build connections in the workplace:

• Organize informal get-togethers away from the office; this could be a baby-shower, a birthday celebration or an unplanned coffee break & walk around the block

• One great way for employees to interact is sharing food; plan a luncheon to celebrate a company success, the completion of a project or the winning of a new account/customer

• Business owners & managers should take the time to let employees know they are interested in them as a person. Ask questions to learn more about them, such as what they did over the weekend or what their favorite vacation has been.

• Have empowering staff meetings and regularly engage in team building exercises

Richard and Angela Gent, founders of the Connectedness Research Group, have created a way to measure the impact of employee connectedness. Their data shows that interventions that increase connectedness at work can result in less sick leave, more employees promoting their organizations as a great place to work, increased loyalty and longevity in the job and a 20% increase in personal well-being. With these benefits in mind, positive connections should be a focus area and goal for any organization.