As workplaces continue to globalize and electronic communication systems develop at breakneck speeds, one vital element often gets lost in the shuffle. That element is human connection. 

Today we look at those invisible threads that hold colleagues together, and we’re focused on much more than pleasantries exchanged over the water cooler. We’re showing ways companies can help to establish deep workplace connections and collegial trust.

So, grab a cup of coffee (or tea, we don't discriminate here) and join us as we explore the essence of employee connections.

What are employee connections?

"Employee connections" refer to the relationships and bonds that form among coworkers within a workplace or team. We all know a good collegial connection when we see it. Companies with highly connected teams demonstrate higher retention rates and more productive employees. One question you can ask of your teams to determine whether they feel like they have good employee connections is: “Are you happy with the people you work with, and the work they’re doing?” This question best measures the strength of employee connections at work.

How likely is it that 100 percent of your staff answer with an honest and resounding ‘yes’? The truth is that human connections affect a whole host of the company’s operations, from engagement and inclusion to turnover rate and customer satisfaction. Maslow’s historic Hierarchy of Needs rates this sense of social belonging just above physical safety, and this applies to workplace environments as much as the outside world. 

The importance of having good employee connections at work is crystal clear, as research has indicated that more than 40% of surveyed employees felt physically and emotionally isolated in the workplace.  

For these reasons, we’ll be showing you some of the best ways you can help your employees make deep, meaningful connections with each other in the workplace.

The best ways to build employee connections

So now we’ve laid out exactly what employee connections mean, let’s get busy with some practical activities you can implement at work to boost the relationships between staff members.

Employees at the decision-making table

One of the most effective ways to improve employee connection is to bring them into decision-making activities. Actively involve them in the conversations that shape the organization's direction. This could take many forms, like regular team meetings, feedback sessions where employees have their say on proposed changes, or even setting up formal structures like employee councils or committees.

By bringing them into the decision-making process you’re helping to develop employee engagement, which deepens the connections between team members. When they see their ideas respected and considered, it builds a genuine bond and says “Your input matters.” 

It also makes the decision-making process more transparent, as when decisions are only made behind closed doors, employees feel less connected to the things that really matter at work, and eventually, less connected to one another.

Mini-golf lunchbreak

Sometimes the best results come from the simplest actions. Workforces are made up of mixed personalities, and inevitably, some people are introverted and won’t enjoy elaborate social outings to forge bonds. So why not just keep it as simple as a ball going into a hole? 

Try this as the first step in revitalizing the connections between employees at work. Using simple and playful sports equipment is a great way to raise curiosity and kickstart employee connections. The big focus here is to see if anyone wants to get involved, to raise employee engagement. Don’t be afraid to bring in any similar simple sports equipment, like a foam dartboard, or even a padded frisbee (just keep it within bounds). You wouldn’t even need to announce it to your employees, just set any mini-game up in the lunch area and watch as staff grow curious, eager to grab a ball, paddle, or racket.

Team-building afternoons

This activity focuses on getting everyone outside the usual work grind for some dedicated team bonding. Create an afternoon session,  say, 1 to 2 pm, and make the session jam-packed with quick teambuilding activities. You can make these games as simple or as complex as you desire, but remember that the real focus is to give team members a chance to make connections.

Keep things fast-paced by using popular ‘minute to win it’ games or dedicate a few hours to take staff out for a fun ‘museum hack.’ Activities carried out in groups or teams provide awesome opportunities for employees to share experiences and build relationships in a relaxed and enjoyable environment.

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

As workplaces diversify the best managers must create ample opportunities for people to feel represented. This is where diversity and inclusion initiatives come into play. They’re used to make sure everyone feels valued and included at work, regardless of who they are. 

Diversity training workshops can be used like crash courses to understand each other better. They help us spot any biases we might not even realize we have and teach us how to be more open-minded. 

Use cultural celebrations and awareness campaigns to enable staff to connect more deeply. By illustrating and being transparent about your inclusive policies, staff will feel like they’re in a workplace where diverse connections matter. By embracing diversity and inclusion, you create a company culture in which everyone feels like they belong, leading to better teamwork and stronger bonds.

DIY Smoothie Bar

Creating a DIY smoothie bar is a fantastic activity to encourage employees to connect in a new and exciting way.

First, choose your space. Keep things casual by setting one up in the food area of the office, or even next to the office entrance to make for a great morning conversation starter. Get some supplies of fruit (and veg) and do a little research on some office favorites. Measure the amount of supplies you’ll need like cups, straws, and measuring spoons. Try creating a vibrant menu to add to the appeal.

A simple DIY smoothie bar helps improve employee connections by giving a focal point for conversation, as well as promoting health and wellness. There’s a whole list of ways it can brighten up the workplace, and everyone’s dietary needs can be considered, even the most dedicated health nut in the office. 

Involve as many staff as you can when setting up the stall, blending everyone’s efforts together to create a smoothie-licious workplace full of strong employee connections.

Buddy-ups

Help develop employee connections by making the most of a buddy-up system. Buddy-ups are a staple element of the onboarding process, effective in two areas: teaching the new staff the ropes, and giving more experienced staff members the opportunity of training someone new. It’s a great connection-building activity, especially for newbies who might be a little nervous in their new job.

Why not apply it to your existing groups, or even in a cross-departmental way? Spend some time considering which two staff to buddy up. You might pick personalities that complement one another, so they click together like two puzzle pieces. Provide some guidance as and when it’s needed, and create a feedback system to gauge feelings after the buddy-up finishes. 

Buddy-ups work to build trust, transfer knowledge, and create happier workers. You never know who might be in need of a new work buddy, so let’s get matchmaking and setting up those employee connections!

Outside-work interest groups

Here’s a fantastic way to create bonds from unlikely places. These are ‘Shared Interest Groups’, and honestly, the sky’s the limit here. These groups are great for relationship building and finding new common ground between members. There are the more traditional groups like reading, cooking, and gardening, but how about pushing the envelope a little and creating groups for things like home-music production, or a group set up for parenting?

Start off by surveying your teams to get a feel for what each member enjoys outside of work. Asking new staff about their hobbies is a great chance for ice-breaker questions. It will actually benefit you as a manager to spend time researching staff interests outside of work. Once that’s clear, mix and match to create a variety of groups. Try establishing a leader, nominating someone who’s passionate about the topic to help organize meet-ups and keep the energy going. Set dates for the group to meet, which can be weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Consistency is key to keeping the connections going.

Creating shared interest groups helps get rid of barriers and gives staff the chance to connect over something unexpected. The key is to survey each employee’s real interests outside of work, so more time spent in planning yields better results. Get those staff connected

Analyze social media behaviors

Over the past few years, a few trends have appeared on social media that demonstrate the damage that can be caused when employees feel disconnected at work, a lack of recognition, or stifled opportunities.

In 2022, a new trend of ‘quiet quitting’ emerged, which essentially means an employee performing only the most basic requirements of their job and never anything more. Further analysis of this behavior showed that the people quitting didn’t feel any connection to work, in job satisfaction, and with their colleagues. 

This demonstrates the importance of spending time analyzing trends that emerge on social media, so a company can better prepare itself and respond accordingly to workplace disconnects. You could have your HR department periodically analyze trending videos for any common themes 

Companies need to make an effort to recognize and understand some of these emerging trends, and once the information is collected, design connection strategies to get to the bottom of any concerns, before it’s too late. 

Terrarium workshop

Here’s an overlooked idea for a session to help boost employee connections, make a terrarium workshop! Having all the team-building positivities of a regular DIY craft session, a terrarium workshop lets staff really get their hands dirty (in a fun way!) by crafting their own little green worlds inside glass containers.

Prepare by getting enough glass containers, small plants like succulents or air plants, colored pebbles or crystals, and cute little extras, like figurines or moss. Use a room with enough natural light to bring out the beauty of the plants and containers. Lay out all of the useful tools in a DIY station so people can easily grab what they need. At the end of the leafy adventure, arrange for everyone to do a show-and-tell, swapping tips and things they loved about the experience.

Establish employee connections in style, and reward them with one of our team retreats!

Teams that are made up of members with deep connections often go above and beyond what’s needed. They feel like they’re working with and for each other, and we know that employees with deep connections are more motivated at work. One of the best ways these teams can reach their peak is with a team-building retreat. So why not try one of these fabulous retreats with us?

Imagine the usual confines of your office settings melting away on a sandy beach or taking the time to appreciate nature on a countryside retreat. A quick change of environment can be as revitalizing as a complete office overhaul. Your team will have one another’s backs and be working in complete harmony, motivated to tackle any challenge together. 

Like this idea but not sure how to put it all together? No problem, this is where Surf Office comes in.

We've had the pleasure of organizing over 700+ retreat experiences, including remote teams, for many different companies. Here’s how what we offer:

• Stress-free transfers? We got you! ✅
• Quality-assured accommodations? Check! ✅
• Engaging team-building activities? Our speciality ✅
• Restaurant reservations? That's on us! ✅
• Expert retreat planning assistance? Of course, we have this covered! ✅
• Onsite support, tailored to your needs? Absolutely ✅

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Not only this but we also have access to 160+ locations around Europe, APAC, the US, Latin America and now Africa, meaning the sky is your limit when it comes to choosing the right location for you and your team.

Help create the deepest connections possible between your superstar teams. Join us at Surf Office and let us help you organize an unforgettable retreat.