How to make work friends when your job is virtual

I once landed on a former work wife’s doorstep in Nashville for a weeklong stay only to realize when I got there that we’d met in person exactly once. Marisa Franco, Ph.D., was previously a professor at Georgia State University, where she became an academic expert on friendship. She currently works as a policy fellow at Millenium Challenge Corporation. We often think likable people are funny or smart or charismatic, but the secret to being likable is actually to like people. According to the theory of inferred attraction, people like people who they think like them. Co-workers will be more likely to want to be your friend if you show them you like them by doing things like greeting them warmly, speaking highly of them, and celebrating their success.

Everyone would rather just have that hour back on their schedules and let the fun happen organically. Help your team members stay connected by removing the anxiety or stress they might feel as they anticipate some of these moments where home life spills into work life. Consider hosting a bring your kid to work day or a bring your pet to work day where employees have a chance to meet some of the little ones that fill your home office life. This signals understanding to staff and helps deepen personal connections.

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Before you jump into randomly applying for remote career opportunities here and there, have a look at what employers demand to see if you’ll fit their work culture. This can show you how and in what direction to develop yourself. First try finding a remote job in your country just to keep all legal aspects in check, especially if you’re not a freelancer. Hiring someone from a different country is a bit more difficult for employees, https://remotemode.net/ so your chances of landing your dream remote career opportunity are at first higher for your own country. Your co-workers don’t have to be your best friends, but it’s best to have a team member you can talk to if you have any problems and requests. Spending at least 8 hours each day in front of a laptop can take its toll on your health. Yes, you’re working virtually, but it doesn’t mean you can’t keep some of your docs offline.

In an ideal world, remote employees would have not only a dedicated office, but also two computers, one for work and one for personal use. It’s more secure for the employer, and it lets you do all your NSFW activities in private. For example, if you have children who learn at home or who come home from school while you’re still working, they need clear rules about what they can and cannot do during that time. If you share a space with another adult who’s working from home, you may have to negotiate quiet times, meeting times, and any shared equipment, like desks and chairs. Simply knowing that another person has a meeting at a certain time helps you prepare to work around it. You might need to get a pair of socks from the bedroom before another person goes in there and closes the door for a meeting.

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Grabbing coffee with a coworker is one of the easiest ways to connect with coworkers. Many professionals already take coffee breaks as part of the workday routine, and are happy to have company during this ritual. When in the office, you can invite a teammate along to a cafe, or can offer to grab a cup for a colleague. If working remotely, then you can schedule a quick Zoom meeting to have some face to face time with a teammate while you both enjoy your daily morning or afternoon caffeine boost. Just because there’s no break room to hang out in doesn’t mean employees aren’t taking breaks.

Working remotely requires that everyone over communicate. If you’re self-employed and don’t get paid sick time, it can be tempting to power through illnesses and keep working. Remember that for your long-term wellness and productivity, it’s best to rest and get better so that you can get back to work at full capacity. If your how to make friends when you work from home circumstances and conditions allow, you might also go to cafes, libraries, and co-working spaces to break up the monotony of being at home. That’s great, but the really important part is to leave your home, get some air and natural light, and move. To the extent that it’s safe, get out of the house and move your body.