Bonding with colleagues in the time of corona
Skip to main content
  • Home
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Book Review
    • Brands
    • Earth
    • Explorer
    • Fact Check
    • Family
    • Food
    • Game Reviews
    • Good Practices
    • Habitat
    • Humour
    • In Focus
    • Luxury
    • Mode
    • Panorama
    • Pursuit
    • Wealth
    • Wellbeing
    • Wheels
  • Epaper
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • Videos
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • COVID-19
    • Games
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Friday
February 03, 2023

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Book Review
    • Brands
    • Earth
    • Explorer
    • Fact Check
    • Family
    • Food
    • Game Reviews
    • Good Practices
    • Habitat
    • Humour
    • In Focus
    • Luxury
    • Mode
    • Panorama
    • Pursuit
    • Wealth
    • Wellbeing
    • Wheels
  • Epaper
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • Videos
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • COVID-19
    • Games
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
  • বাংলা
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 03, 2023
Bonding with colleagues in the time of corona

Wellbeing

TBS Report
08 October, 2020, 07:25 pm
Last modified: 08 October, 2020, 07:31 pm

Related News

  • Hong Kong says 'hello' to woo back visitors after Covid
  • US to end Covid-19 emergency declarations on 11 May
  • Covid remains a public health emergency, says WHO
  • Holiday trips within China surge after lifting of Covid curbs
  • India launches world’s 1st intranasal Covid vaccine

Bonding with colleagues in the time of corona

For people starting new jobs amid the pandemic - being restricted to calls, emails, and chat functions, can make navigating the teething issues that come with a regular job more isolating

TBS Report
08 October, 2020, 07:25 pm
Last modified: 08 October, 2020, 07:31 pm
Different tools suit different people, so by using a mix one can be sure to embrace everyone 
Illustration: Leon Edler/The Guardian
Different tools suit different people, so by using a mix one can be sure to embrace everyone Illustration: Leon Edler/The Guardian

The coronavirus pandemic has caused a seismic upheaval in people's work lives. From hundreds of jobs being lost to the crippling fear of redundancy to adapting ourselves to the new work-from-home situation, the pandemic has changed things for vast swathes of population. 

In normal circumstances, There is a web of social face-to-face interactions that can make work days more pleasant. From long chats over coffee to small talk in the lift - they help to feel more connected and can bloom into genuine, long-lasting friendships.

For people starting new jobs amid the pandemic - being restricted to calls, emails, and chat functions, can make navigating the teething issues that come with a regular job more isolating. 

The Guardian recently published an article on bonding with co-workers amid the coronavirus; it stated that studies show people with a close friend at work are seven times more likely to be engaged with the work itself. 

Such friendships can be maintained and nurtured remotely too– if one follows a few tips.

Establish trust

There are two types of trust: cognitive trust, which is trust in someone's experience, knowledge and ability; and, emotional trust: which determines how much one person likes and believes in another.

Achieving cognitive trust is generally achieved when colleagues see each other in action. However, a recent survey conducted by Westfield Health, a UK-based health and wellbeing company, suggests that 51 percent of Brits suspected their remote colleagues do less work than they say. Therefore, it might be amicable to put more effort on work than usual when one is working from home. 

Bring some fun to the table

Those stupid jokes and personal titbits are integral to forming close-knit colleague relationships. 

For office newcomers, fact or fiction exercise could be appropriate where a group shares three "facts" about themselves, two truths and one lie. Then other colleagues guess which is fact or fiction. 

This can enable one to learn things about their colleagues that they wouldn't ordinarily know.

One could also take virtual tea breaks where everyone brings a cup and spends 15 minutes not discussing work.

Keep emotionally connected

All relationships need nurturing, whether they are established work friendships forged in the fire of looming deadlines or acquaintanceships whose chit-chat make the working space seem more friendly. 

But if people are not crossing paths in real life, it is better to consider ways to cross paths virtually – such as a WhatsApp thread earmarked for banter and sharing "Saw this, thought of you" pictures and links. 

Ask the obvious questions also play a role in building bonds among colleagues - like, asking someone where they went if they say they are catching up after a holiday.  

Express yourself

Even conversation between old work buddies can become affected in the face of alien conferencing software and busy schedules. 

Humour and challenge bring people closer together too. When one shares an experience or an emotional high or low with someone, that makes them more likely to be remembered, understood and cared for. 

When chatting, it is important to be more expressive than usual. It is estimated that body language accounts for up to 93 percent of communication but can be much less visible online so it is important to ramp up the nodding and eye contact and leaning forward to show understanding, interest, and warmth. 

Finding the happy technical place

While some people might be starved of conversation, others can feel bombarded by chatter across Zoom, WhatsApp and office intranets. 

Different tools suit different people, so by using a mix one can be sure to embrace everyone.

WhatsApp or texting is better for personal connections because it cuts through this clutter. It works as a great spontaneous conversation tool on a one-to-one basis. 

Don't be afraid to pick up the phone

Many millennials might shirk at the thought of a phone call with a colleague, but listening intently to one voice can add intimacy, so established work friends may benefit from an old-fashioned phone call.

And if all else fails one can't go wrong with paying a colleague a compliment. Studies suggest that paying someone a sincere compliment reciprocates warmth.


The article is a slightly modified version of the original one appearing on The Guardian 

Top News

workplace / COVID-19 / work from home / Bond / colleagues

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • International Monetary Fund logo : AP via UNB
    IMF sets time-bound reform agenda as it releases first tranche of loan
  • Shipped Bhola gas to cost higher, yet cheaper than spot LNG
    Shipped Bhola gas to cost higher, yet cheaper than spot LNG
  • January exports rise nearly 6% riding on high-value RMG items
    January exports rise nearly 6% riding on high-value RMG items

MOST VIEWED

  • Represenattional image. Photo: Collected
    Alcohol consumption in any quantity can be detrimental to health, says US study
  • Photo: Collected
    How to stay fit during winter
  • The Health and Family Welfare Ministry has proposed the draft amendment to the Drugs and magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements Act, 1954). Photo : LiveMint
    Here are a few tips for taking care of your skin during the winter
  • TBS Illustration
    Here are a few tips for taking care of your lips during the winter
  • Photo: Noor A Alam/TBS
    CosMedica Laser Clinic: Where natural beauty reigns
  • BENDSTA calls for lifting ban on vape
    BENDSTA calls for lifting ban on vape

Related News

  • Hong Kong says 'hello' to woo back visitors after Covid
  • US to end Covid-19 emergency declarations on 11 May
  • Covid remains a public health emergency, says WHO
  • Holiday trips within China surge after lifting of Covid curbs
  • India launches world’s 1st intranasal Covid vaccine

Features

Six Jeep Wranglers and a special XJ Jeep Cherokee set out into the depths of Lalakhal, Sylhet for an experience of a lifetime. Photo: Ahbaar Mohammad

Jeep Life Bangladesh: A club for Jeep owners to harness the power of their vehicles

13h | Wheels
While the Padma bridge in operation is changing the lives of millions in the south for the better, passenger rush to Shimulia ghat died down. Photo: Masum Billah

How are the Shimulia ghat businesses faring after Padma bridge?

16h | Panorama
After so many investments going embarrassingly wrong, as was the case with Sam Bankman-Fried, perhaps tech investors’ preference for less experience will wane. Photo: Bloomberg

Are you the next Steve Jobs? Good luck raising money in 2023

15h | Panorama
An elderly couple's lonely battle to save Dhaka's trees

An elderly couple's lonely battle to save Dhaka's trees

1d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

A proper price formula can help investors to plan big

A proper price formula can help investors to plan big

5h | TBS Round Table
Rumors about Sarika that everyone thinks are true

Rumors about Sarika that everyone thinks are true

4h | TBS Entertainment
Mugging rife in Tejgaon, murder in Wari

Mugging rife in Tejgaon, murder in Wari

6h | TBS Current Affairs
What secrets are hidden behind Adani's wealth?

What secrets are hidden behind Adani's wealth?

5h | TBS Stories

Most Read

1
Bapex calls candidates for job test 9 years after advert!
Bangladesh

Bapex calls candidates for job test 9 years after advert!

2
Leepu realised his love for cars from a young age and for the last 40 years, he has transformed, designed and customised hundreds of cars. Photo: Collected
Panorama

'I am not crazy about cars anymore': Nizamuddin Awlia Leepu

3
Photo: Collected
Energy

8 Ctg power plants out of production

4
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo is seen outside the headquarters building in Washington, U.S., September 4, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas/File Photo
Economy

IMF approves $4.7 billion loan for Bangladesh, calls for ambitious reforms

5
Photo: Collected
Court

Japanese mother gets guardianship of daughters, free to leave country

6
Fund cut as Dhaka's fast-track transit projects on slow spending lane
Infrastructure

Fund cut as Dhaka's fast-track transit projects on slow spending lane

EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2023
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net