Team Building in the Time of Telework

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.

Virtual Team Check-ins

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.

Team Coffee, Lunch, or Happy Hour

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).

Live Remote Office

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.

Team Game Night

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.

Stay Active

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.

Local Resources and Events

• The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition is hosting FREE virtual cycling courses to help folks brush up on all the skills needed to safely ride in Atlanta’s streets with a focus on how to make an essential trip while social distancing.
• Georgia Bikes has compiled resources about cycling and coronavirus.
• Celebrate National Walking Day during the PEDS walking challenge (March 30-April 3)

For nitty-gritty information about how to refine or create a telework program at your worksite, we recommend exploring the following resources:  

• Telework Kick Start Guide
• Georgia Commute Options telework/flexwork consulting webpage
• Telework Webinar Series
• Reach out to the Downtown Connects team to get connected with our free telework consultant: Connects@AtlantaDowntown.com