March 31, 2020
Now that many workplaces in Atlanta have transitioned to telework during this public health crisis, CAP's Downtown Connects team has compiled some tips to maintain work/life balance and enhance team building and the telework experience.
Use virtual meeting options with video, like Zoom or GoToMeeting, for regular check-ins and to allow teams to connect with one another "face-to-face." Even a brief 15 minute touch-base can create a virtual “hallway chat” and maintain the benefit of spontaneous collaboration.
Just because your team can’t physically meet in the break room or at a restaurant doesn’t mean that this tried and true team-building ritual is off limits. Hold team lunches remotely via videoconferencing to promote team building. Make it a team happy hour and enjoy some Quarentinis together (after hours, of course).
Create a video chat room that mimics the office where all members are working diligently on their own tasks. At the beginning of the day, the first team member to clock in starts a video chat that any team member can join. As other members come online, they can join the video and essentially join the workspace. Distributed team members get to see each other hard at work and are inspired to feel focused and productive.
Using videoconferencing to host a team game night is a great way to support team building after hours. Games like Heads Up, Pictionary, Charades, Two Truths and a Lie, and many more can all be played with videoconferencing.
Staying active and regularly exercising is good for both your physical and mental health. Plus, now that Spring has sprung, it is a great time to enjoy the outdoors on foot or bike. Make it a team building activity by creating virtual office fitness challenges through apps like Charity Miles, Stridekick, and My Virtual Mission.
For nitty-gritty information about how to refine or create a telework program at your worksite, we recommend exploring the following resources: