Allwork.Space
The FUTURE OF WORK® since 2003
Find A Flexible Office Here
  • All Topics
    • Business
    • Biophilic Design
    • Career Growth
    • Coliving
    • Collaboration
    • Coworking
    • CRE
    • DE&I
    • Digital Nomads
    • Future of Work
    • Home Office
    • Human Resources (HR)
    • Hybrid Work
    • Investment
    • Leadership
    • Marketing
    • Mental Health
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Office Furniture
    • Productivity
    • PropTech
    • Remote Work
    • Self-care
    • SMBs
    • Social Impact
    • Space-as-a-Service
    • Technology
    • Virtual Office
    • Work-life Balance
    • Workforce
    • Workplace Design
    • Workplace Wellness
  • News
  • Business
    Adapt Or Die: Future-Proof Your Business With These Essential Tips

    Adapt Or Die: Future-Proof Your Business With These Essential Tips

    Adaptable Hybrid Work Approach Crucial for Employee Retention

    Adaptable Hybrid Work Approach Crucial for Employee Retention

    10 Changes Your Organization Must Make To Succeed This Year

    10 Changes Your Organization Must Make To Succeed This Year

    Do Pay Transparency Laws Actually Matter

    Do Pay Transparency Laws Actually Matter?

    Evaluating the Effectiveness of Hybrid Work Models and Office Reintegration

    Evaluating the Effectiveness of Hybrid Work Models and Office Reintegration

    Establish An Effective Hybrid Work Environment In 6 Steps

    Establish An Effective Hybrid Work Environment In 6 Steps

    IWG Selling The Crown Jewels? You Would Think So Judging By The Asking Price

    IWG Selling The Crown Jewels? You Would Think So Judging By The Asking Price

    The Million-Dollar Mistake Businesses In California Cannot Afford To Make: Compliance Deadline Approaching!

    The Million Dollar-Mistake Businesses In California Cannot Afford To Make: Compliance Deadline Approaching!

    How Africa’s Economy will Harness Digital Tech in the Future of Work

    How Africa’s Economy will Harness Digital Tech in the Future of Work

  • Work-life
    Astonishing Deficit in Hybrid Work Protocol Confirmed by Recent Studies

    Astonishing Deficit in Hybrid Work Protocol Confirmed by Recent Studies

    Driving Sustainable Change: Advice for Facilities Managers

    Driving Sustainable Change: Advice for Facilities Managers

    How To Strengthen Your Workforce: Cultivate Growth Opportunities For Women

    How To Strengthen Your Workforce: Cultivate Growth Opportunities For Women

    Build The Best Work Playlist: 8 Songs To Avoid And 10 To Blast

    Build The Best Work Playlist: 8 Songs To Avoid And 10 To Blast

    Escape The Lingering Cold In These 7 Countries Perfect For Remote Work

    Escape The Lingering Cold In These 7 Countries Perfect For Remote Work

    Say Goodbye Comfy Pants – 9 in 10 Companies Planning RTO This Year

    Say Goodbye Comfy Pants – 9 in 10 Companies Planning RTO This Year

    Remote Work Is Just E-Commerce Déjà Vu All Over Again

    Remote Work Is Just E-Commerce Déjà Vu All Over Again

    Four Days Is Enough

    Four Days Is Enough

    The CDC’s Vision For The Future Of Worker Health

    The CDC’s Vision For The Future Of Worker Health

  • Tech
    What Every Business Needs to Know About Managed Development Services

    What Every Business Needs to Know About Managed Development Services

    LiquidSpace and Kadence Team Up to Revolutionize Hybrid Work

    LiquidSpace and Kadence Team Up to Revolutionize Hybrid Work

    Using IoT Tech Is Crucial For Office Planning And Employee Health

    Using IoT Tech Is Crucial For Office Planning And Employee Health

    Paving the Way for the Future of the Workplace With the Metaverse

    Paving the Way for the Future of the Workplace With the Metaverse

    What You Need To Know About Web3 And Finding Great Developers

    What You Need To Know About Web3 And Finding Great Developers

    The Price Of Remote Work? Your Privacy

    The Price Of Remote Work? Your Privacy

    Should You Put Your Job On AI-Pilot Mode?

    Should You Put Your Job On AI-Pilot Mode?

    3 Steps To Build A Three-Dimensional Hybrid Workplace

    3 Steps To Build A Three-Dimensional Hybrid Workplace

    PETER MISCOVICH

    Peter Miscovich JLL Global Future Of Work Leader | The Hybrid Workplace Evolution: Unlocking The Future Of Work

  • Design
    Designing with Insight and Intention: Uncovering Behavioral and Functional Needs

    Designing with Insight and Intention: Uncovering Behavioral and Functional Needs

    Redefining “Amenity” in the Workplace

    Redefining “Amenity” in the Workplace

    How to Design for Behavior To Create a New In-Person Working Environment

    How to Design for Behavior To Create a New In-Person Working Environment

    People-Driven Alternate Workspaces

    People-Driven Alternate Workspaces

    How Physical Spaces Shape Human Relationships and Emotional Well-Being

    How Physical Spaces Shape Human Relationships and Emotional Well-Being

    Resimercial Design Balances Comfort and Sustainability in the Office

    Resimercial Design Balances Comfort and Sustainability in the Office

    Sustainability, Well-being, and the Building Blocks of a Biophilic Workplace

    Sustainability, Well-being, and the Building Blocks of a Biophilic Workplace

    Repurposing Furniture Realizing the Environmental, Economic, and Design Benefits

    Repurposing Furniture: Realizing the Environmental, Economic, and Design Benefits

    Designing A Better Future For The Workplace

    Designing A Better Future For The Workplace

  • Workforce
    How To Post On Social Media About Losing Your Job

    How To Post On Social Media About Losing Your Job

    Hiring Internationally Doesn't Have To Make Payroll Complicated

    Hiring Internationally Doesn’t Have To Make Payroll Complicated

    Master the Art of Hosting Engaging Virtual Meetings

    Master the Art of Hosting Engaging Virtual Meetings

    Adapt Or Die: Future-Proof Your Business With These Essential Tips

    5 Steps To Master The Hybrid Work Model

    Unmasking the Corporate Return-to-Work Fallacy A Genuine Approach to Junior Staff Development

    Unmasking the Corporate Return-to-Work Fallacy: A Genuine Approach to Junior Staff Development

    Diplomas and Dilemmas: How 2023 Graduates Can Navigate Job Market Chaos

    Diplomas and Dilemmas: How 2023 Graduates Can Navigate Job Market Chaos

    Want To Stop Employees From Walking Out The Door? Build Them A Career Ladder

    Want To Stop Employees From Walking Out The Door? Build Them A Career Ladder

    Unveiling the Hidden Potentials of Remote Work Productivity

    Unveiling the Hidden Potentials of Remote Work Productivity

    Side Hustles or Survival Jobs? Overemployment Spikes Among Remote Workers

    Side Hustles or Survival Jobs? Overemployment Spikes Among Remote Workers

  • Coworking
    Tech Check: 5 Signs Your Coworking Space Is Due For An Upgrade

    Tech Check: 5 Signs Your Coworking Space Is Due For An Upgrade

    Reaching Beyond The Desk: How Coworking Spaces Can Transform Communities

    Reaching Beyond The Desk: How Coworking Spaces Can Transform Communities

    All Good Work Partners with JLL To Support Nonprofit Organizations

    All Good Work Partners with JLL To Support Nonprofit Organizations

    We Told You So

    We Told You So

    LiquidSpace and Kadence Team Up to Revolutionize Hybrid Work

    LiquidSpace and Kadence Team Up to Revolutionize Hybrid Work

    How the Rise of Four-Day Work Weeks Could Reshape the Coworking Industry

    How the Rise of Four-Day Work Weeks Could Reshape the Coworking Industry

    How Coworking Spaces Can Leverage Blockchain to Enhance Their Services

    How Coworking Spaces Can Leverage Blockchain to Enhance Their Services

    Want To Work At The Ritziest Coworking Office In The World? It’s Going To Cost You

    Want To Work At The Ritziest Coworking Office In The World? It’s Going To Cost You

    The Warehouse_ Where Coworking Meets Inspiration In The Heart Of New Orleans

    The Warehouse: Where Coworking Meets Inspiration In The Heart Of New Orleans

  • Marketing
    8 Reasons Why Sponsored Content Is Worth The Investment For Your Brand

    8 Reasons Why Sponsored Content Is Worth The Investment For Your Brand

    Instagram GenZ

    2023 Instagram Trends Reveal How To Market To Gen Z

    TrueView360 Interactive Virtual Tours

    TrueView360s Interactive Virtual Tours

    2023 Future Of Work Forecast: Focus Marketing On Values and Customer Experience, Not The Product

    2023 Future Of Work Forecast: Focus Marketing On Values and Customer Experience, Not The Product

    Want Your Coworking Newsletter to Actually Convert

    Want Your Coworking Newsletter to Actually Convert? Start by Keeping It Simple, Fun, and Consistent

    5 Pros Share How To Use Instagram To Grow Your Coworking Business

    5 Pros Share How To Use Instagram To Grow Your Coworking Business

    Want To Wow Coworking Members

    Want To “Wow” Coworking Members? It All Starts With (The Right) Insights

    6 Free, High-Quality Photo Sites To Level Up Your Marketing

    6 Free, High-Quality Photo Sites To Level Up Your Marketing

    The Creator Economy Is Dramatically Changing Marketing Practices, Here’s Why

    The Creator Economy Is Dramatically Changing Marketing Practices, Here’s Why

  • CRE
    75% Of Business Leaders Lack Data Needed For Crucial CRE Decisions

    75% Of Business Leaders Lack Data Needed For Crucial CRE Decisions

    Rapid Work Style Shifts Are Tanking Tax Revenues — Can City Planners Catch Up?

    Rapid Work Style Shifts Are Tanking Tax Revenues — Can City Planners Catch Up?

    San Francisco Skyline

    The Future of Commercial Real Estate in San Francisco Doesn’t Look Good

    3 Things CRE Players Must Do To Stay Relevant In 2023

    2023 Future Of Work Forecast: 3 Things CRE Players Must Do To Stay Relevant In 2023

    The Office Space Sector Is Projected To See A Strong Fourth Quarter In 2022

    The Office Space Sector Is Projected To See A Strong Fourth Quarter In 2022

    Meet Flex Space More Chaotic Cousin Gray Spaces

    Meet Flex Space’s More Chaotic Cousin: Gray Spaces

    The Future Of Our Offices And Our Planet Hinges On The Real Estate Industry Priorities

    The Future Of Our Offices — And Our Planet — Hinges On The Real Estate Industry’s Priorities

    JLL New Future Of Work Survey The Next Few Years Are Crucial For Commercial Real Estate (2)

    JLL’s New Future Of Work Survey: The Next Few Years Are Crucial For Commercial Real Estate

    What Is The Impact Of Hybrid Working On Space Optimization

    What Is The Impact Of Hybrid Working On Space Optimization?

  • Podcast
  • Subscribe
  • More
    • Advertise With Us
    • Marketplace
    • Events
  • All Topics
    • Business
    • Biophilic Design
    • Career Growth
    • Coliving
    • Collaboration
    • Coworking
    • CRE
    • DE&I
    • Digital Nomads
    • Future of Work
    • Home Office
    • Human Resources (HR)
    • Hybrid Work
    • Investment
    • Leadership
    • Marketing
    • Mental Health
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Office Furniture
    • Productivity
    • PropTech
    • Remote Work
    • Self-care
    • SMBs
    • Social Impact
    • Space-as-a-Service
    • Technology
    • Virtual Office
    • Work-life Balance
    • Workforce
    • Workplace Design
    • Workplace Wellness
  • News
  • Business
    Adapt Or Die: Future-Proof Your Business With These Essential Tips

    Adapt Or Die: Future-Proof Your Business With These Essential Tips

    Adaptable Hybrid Work Approach Crucial for Employee Retention

    Adaptable Hybrid Work Approach Crucial for Employee Retention

    10 Changes Your Organization Must Make To Succeed This Year

    10 Changes Your Organization Must Make To Succeed This Year

    Do Pay Transparency Laws Actually Matter

    Do Pay Transparency Laws Actually Matter?

    Evaluating the Effectiveness of Hybrid Work Models and Office Reintegration

    Evaluating the Effectiveness of Hybrid Work Models and Office Reintegration

    Establish An Effective Hybrid Work Environment In 6 Steps

    Establish An Effective Hybrid Work Environment In 6 Steps

    IWG Selling The Crown Jewels? You Would Think So Judging By The Asking Price

    IWG Selling The Crown Jewels? You Would Think So Judging By The Asking Price

    The Million-Dollar Mistake Businesses In California Cannot Afford To Make: Compliance Deadline Approaching!

    The Million Dollar-Mistake Businesses In California Cannot Afford To Make: Compliance Deadline Approaching!

    How Africa’s Economy will Harness Digital Tech in the Future of Work

    How Africa’s Economy will Harness Digital Tech in the Future of Work

  • Work-life
    Astonishing Deficit in Hybrid Work Protocol Confirmed by Recent Studies

    Astonishing Deficit in Hybrid Work Protocol Confirmed by Recent Studies

    Driving Sustainable Change: Advice for Facilities Managers

    Driving Sustainable Change: Advice for Facilities Managers

    How To Strengthen Your Workforce: Cultivate Growth Opportunities For Women

    How To Strengthen Your Workforce: Cultivate Growth Opportunities For Women

    Build The Best Work Playlist: 8 Songs To Avoid And 10 To Blast

    Build The Best Work Playlist: 8 Songs To Avoid And 10 To Blast

    Escape The Lingering Cold In These 7 Countries Perfect For Remote Work

    Escape The Lingering Cold In These 7 Countries Perfect For Remote Work

    Say Goodbye Comfy Pants – 9 in 10 Companies Planning RTO This Year

    Say Goodbye Comfy Pants – 9 in 10 Companies Planning RTO This Year

    Remote Work Is Just E-Commerce Déjà Vu All Over Again

    Remote Work Is Just E-Commerce Déjà Vu All Over Again

    Four Days Is Enough

    Four Days Is Enough

    The CDC’s Vision For The Future Of Worker Health

    The CDC’s Vision For The Future Of Worker Health

  • Tech
    What Every Business Needs to Know About Managed Development Services

    What Every Business Needs to Know About Managed Development Services

    LiquidSpace and Kadence Team Up to Revolutionize Hybrid Work

    LiquidSpace and Kadence Team Up to Revolutionize Hybrid Work

    Using IoT Tech Is Crucial For Office Planning And Employee Health

    Using IoT Tech Is Crucial For Office Planning And Employee Health

    Paving the Way for the Future of the Workplace With the Metaverse

    Paving the Way for the Future of the Workplace With the Metaverse

    What You Need To Know About Web3 And Finding Great Developers

    What You Need To Know About Web3 And Finding Great Developers

    The Price Of Remote Work? Your Privacy

    The Price Of Remote Work? Your Privacy

    Should You Put Your Job On AI-Pilot Mode?

    Should You Put Your Job On AI-Pilot Mode?

    3 Steps To Build A Three-Dimensional Hybrid Workplace

    3 Steps To Build A Three-Dimensional Hybrid Workplace

    PETER MISCOVICH

    Peter Miscovich JLL Global Future Of Work Leader | The Hybrid Workplace Evolution: Unlocking The Future Of Work

  • Design
    Designing with Insight and Intention: Uncovering Behavioral and Functional Needs

    Designing with Insight and Intention: Uncovering Behavioral and Functional Needs

    Redefining “Amenity” in the Workplace

    Redefining “Amenity” in the Workplace

    How to Design for Behavior To Create a New In-Person Working Environment

    How to Design for Behavior To Create a New In-Person Working Environment

    People-Driven Alternate Workspaces

    People-Driven Alternate Workspaces

    How Physical Spaces Shape Human Relationships and Emotional Well-Being

    How Physical Spaces Shape Human Relationships and Emotional Well-Being

    Resimercial Design Balances Comfort and Sustainability in the Office

    Resimercial Design Balances Comfort and Sustainability in the Office

    Sustainability, Well-being, and the Building Blocks of a Biophilic Workplace

    Sustainability, Well-being, and the Building Blocks of a Biophilic Workplace

    Repurposing Furniture Realizing the Environmental, Economic, and Design Benefits

    Repurposing Furniture: Realizing the Environmental, Economic, and Design Benefits

    Designing A Better Future For The Workplace

    Designing A Better Future For The Workplace

  • Workforce
    How To Post On Social Media About Losing Your Job

    How To Post On Social Media About Losing Your Job

    Hiring Internationally Doesn't Have To Make Payroll Complicated

    Hiring Internationally Doesn’t Have To Make Payroll Complicated

    Master the Art of Hosting Engaging Virtual Meetings

    Master the Art of Hosting Engaging Virtual Meetings

    Adapt Or Die: Future-Proof Your Business With These Essential Tips

    5 Steps To Master The Hybrid Work Model

    Unmasking the Corporate Return-to-Work Fallacy A Genuine Approach to Junior Staff Development

    Unmasking the Corporate Return-to-Work Fallacy: A Genuine Approach to Junior Staff Development

    Diplomas and Dilemmas: How 2023 Graduates Can Navigate Job Market Chaos

    Diplomas and Dilemmas: How 2023 Graduates Can Navigate Job Market Chaos

    Want To Stop Employees From Walking Out The Door? Build Them A Career Ladder

    Want To Stop Employees From Walking Out The Door? Build Them A Career Ladder

    Unveiling the Hidden Potentials of Remote Work Productivity

    Unveiling the Hidden Potentials of Remote Work Productivity

    Side Hustles or Survival Jobs? Overemployment Spikes Among Remote Workers

    Side Hustles or Survival Jobs? Overemployment Spikes Among Remote Workers

  • Coworking
    Tech Check: 5 Signs Your Coworking Space Is Due For An Upgrade

    Tech Check: 5 Signs Your Coworking Space Is Due For An Upgrade

    Reaching Beyond The Desk: How Coworking Spaces Can Transform Communities

    Reaching Beyond The Desk: How Coworking Spaces Can Transform Communities

    All Good Work Partners with JLL To Support Nonprofit Organizations

    All Good Work Partners with JLL To Support Nonprofit Organizations

    We Told You So

    We Told You So

    LiquidSpace and Kadence Team Up to Revolutionize Hybrid Work

    LiquidSpace and Kadence Team Up to Revolutionize Hybrid Work

    How the Rise of Four-Day Work Weeks Could Reshape the Coworking Industry

    How the Rise of Four-Day Work Weeks Could Reshape the Coworking Industry

    How Coworking Spaces Can Leverage Blockchain to Enhance Their Services

    How Coworking Spaces Can Leverage Blockchain to Enhance Their Services

    Want To Work At The Ritziest Coworking Office In The World? It’s Going To Cost You

    Want To Work At The Ritziest Coworking Office In The World? It’s Going To Cost You

    The Warehouse_ Where Coworking Meets Inspiration In The Heart Of New Orleans

    The Warehouse: Where Coworking Meets Inspiration In The Heart Of New Orleans

  • Marketing
    8 Reasons Why Sponsored Content Is Worth The Investment For Your Brand

    8 Reasons Why Sponsored Content Is Worth The Investment For Your Brand

    Instagram GenZ

    2023 Instagram Trends Reveal How To Market To Gen Z

    TrueView360 Interactive Virtual Tours

    TrueView360s Interactive Virtual Tours

    2023 Future Of Work Forecast: Focus Marketing On Values and Customer Experience, Not The Product

    2023 Future Of Work Forecast: Focus Marketing On Values and Customer Experience, Not The Product

    Want Your Coworking Newsletter to Actually Convert

    Want Your Coworking Newsletter to Actually Convert? Start by Keeping It Simple, Fun, and Consistent

    5 Pros Share How To Use Instagram To Grow Your Coworking Business

    5 Pros Share How To Use Instagram To Grow Your Coworking Business

    Want To Wow Coworking Members

    Want To “Wow” Coworking Members? It All Starts With (The Right) Insights

    6 Free, High-Quality Photo Sites To Level Up Your Marketing

    6 Free, High-Quality Photo Sites To Level Up Your Marketing

    The Creator Economy Is Dramatically Changing Marketing Practices, Here’s Why

    The Creator Economy Is Dramatically Changing Marketing Practices, Here’s Why

  • CRE
    75% Of Business Leaders Lack Data Needed For Crucial CRE Decisions

    75% Of Business Leaders Lack Data Needed For Crucial CRE Decisions

    Rapid Work Style Shifts Are Tanking Tax Revenues — Can City Planners Catch Up?

    Rapid Work Style Shifts Are Tanking Tax Revenues — Can City Planners Catch Up?

    San Francisco Skyline

    The Future of Commercial Real Estate in San Francisco Doesn’t Look Good

    3 Things CRE Players Must Do To Stay Relevant In 2023

    2023 Future Of Work Forecast: 3 Things CRE Players Must Do To Stay Relevant In 2023

    The Office Space Sector Is Projected To See A Strong Fourth Quarter In 2022

    The Office Space Sector Is Projected To See A Strong Fourth Quarter In 2022

    Meet Flex Space More Chaotic Cousin Gray Spaces

    Meet Flex Space’s More Chaotic Cousin: Gray Spaces

    The Future Of Our Offices And Our Planet Hinges On The Real Estate Industry Priorities

    The Future Of Our Offices — And Our Planet — Hinges On The Real Estate Industry’s Priorities

    JLL New Future Of Work Survey The Next Few Years Are Crucial For Commercial Real Estate (2)

    JLL’s New Future Of Work Survey: The Next Few Years Are Crucial For Commercial Real Estate

    What Is The Impact Of Hybrid Working On Space Optimization

    What Is The Impact Of Hybrid Working On Space Optimization?

  • Podcast
  • Subscribe
  • More
    • Advertise With Us
    • Marketplace
    • Events
No Result
View All Result
Allwork.Space
Subscribe
Nexudus Ad
Home Workforce

Online Friends With Benefits: Build A Remote Buddy System To Boost Productivity, Creativity, and Happiness

In addition to general social benefits, individuals within a buddy system often find that it keeps them on track with their work, helps maintain focus and ensures accountability.

bySheya Michaelides
September 26, 2022
in Workforce
Reading Time: 6 mins read
A A
Online Friends With Benefits: Build A Remote Buddy System To Boost Productivity, Creativity, and Happiness
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare to Network
  • Loneliness, unwanted distractions and a lack of motivation are some of the main issues facing people who continue to work remotely. 
  • An online buddy system could be one solution to these challenges, but the onus is on company leaders to ensure that they support these systems by integrating them into the work culture. 
  • Based on an online survey conducted by the virtual coworking service Focusmate, 93% of their remote coworking software users reported an increase in productivity. Other online buddy systems are reporting similarly positive results.

Working remotely should not mean working in isolation. Loneliness, a lack of self-motivation and constant distractions are not only problematic for productivity; they can also adversely impact an individual’s mental health. 

According to the 2022 The State of Remote Work report by the social media firm Buffer, 24% of remote workers admitted to feeling lonely and socially isolated from colleagues. Last year, Allwork.Space highlighted the troubling link between loneliness and young remote workers. 

It’s undoubtedly a growing issue — but what can be done to combat this new pandemic? It’s surprisingly simple: find a friend.

What is a remote coworking system and how do you find these buddies online?

Most offices have programs for onboarding new employees and integrating them into the work culture. An online coworking system (buddy system sounds friendlier) is similar, but it all happens remotely. An online buddy provides a cost-effective means of ensuring that remote workers maintain a degree of professional accountability to someone else. 

“Buddying” is about talking and motivating each other to complete daily tasks and possibly longer-term goals. A buddy can be an existing friend, acquaintance or virtual stranger who agrees to a level of commitment that works for both parties. 

The system is highly flexible, enabling workers to decide when and how they wish to provide and receive accountability using online communication platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet or FaceTime. There is also the option to sign up for a virtual coworking service such as Focusmate or Life At Spaces, where you can choose packages that are free or ones that charge a monthly premium.

An online buddy system involves an initial degree of effort — for instance, establishing compatibility, stating individual requirements, setting a reasonable schedule and sharing discrete, achievable goals. 

Once the system is in place, it should require less effort and start to deliver benefits for everyone involved. Regular check-ins and reminders are beneficial, as is maintaining a level of professionalism that ensures the relationship does not develop into an additional distraction. 

What are the personal benefits of having a remote work buddy?

“Relationships matter because they help us feel connected, making us more motivated and productive,” according to Catherine Fisher, career expert and Vice President of Integrated Data and Consumer Communications at LinkedIn.

Remote work does not have to be a solitary endeavor; however, many remote workers do feel as if they are flying solo. A Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) survey discovered that 67% of employees who work from home now feel less connected. 

This finding is unsurprising, and troubling given that numerous social and cognitive psychologists have cited “being socially connected” as a basic human need. Not everyone craves friendship and human interaction; however, research indicates that constant solitude can harm our long-term mental and physical well-being. 

Emiliana Simon-Thomas, PhD, Science Director of the Greater Good Science Center at Berkeley, University of California, has studied the impact human connection and happiness within the workplace can have on individual employees. Their findings include benefits such as an increased sense of belonging, more resilience (in the face of adversity at work), a greater sense of purpose and increased job satisfaction.

In addition to personal and social benefits, individuals within a buddy system often find that it keeps them on track with their work (helpful because there are plenty of distractions when working from home), helps maintain focus, and ensures accountability. An online coworker can also provide guidance and mentoring support — often in short supply for remote workers. The right buddy can also inspire creativity, innovative thinking and a more positive attitude towards work.

Why employers should recognize the benefits of buddying

In addition to the negative impact that a lack of human connection can have on physical and mental well-being, it can also lead to lower job performance and productivity. A recent Forbes article argues that remote work, per se, should not be blamed for loneliness. Loneliness was already a growing problem across many workplaces. The meteoric rise of remote and hybrid work merely exacerbated an existing issue that employers had failed to tackle.

This year’s Betterup report explores the importance of meaningful connections between remote workers as well as highlights why interactions need to go deeper than informal group chats. According to the report, 52% of remote workers want more meaningful connections with colleagues. 

The report also highlights an important point for employers — a successful online buddy system can be a competitive advantage. This is becoming increasingly apparent in the labor market, where competition is often based on what a company can offer prospective employees (beyond the advertised role).

A culture that enables people to feel valued can increase job satisfaction and generate professional growth for the individual — resulting in greater productivity for an organization. Online businesses will succeed when they embody a community of remote workers who feel as valued and supported as their office-based counterparts. 

Before the pandemic, our professional interactions were already starting to take place increasingly online, but recent changes have been swift and considerable. The proliferation of new online communication tools and platforms is a testament to this change. 

Some social media platforms, such as Meetup, are purported to have grown in popularity among people who want to become part of an online social community. Meetup is more of a social events platform, but its rise in demand signifies that remote workers are looking to make connections.

Employees are not the only benefactors of a successful buddy system — businesses can also thrive when there is a positive work culture in place. In the absence of a physical workplace, a buddy system can help to foster a community where collaboration is paramount. According to Built In, an online community for start-ups and tech companies, when there is a strong, connected corporate culture, employee engagement increases by as much as 72%. The positive impact that this can have on recruitment, retention, innovation and creativity within an organization, cannot be underestimated. It has even been suggested that a connected workplace culture means that a company is 14 times more likely to appear on lists naming the best places to work.

How can employers establish a buddy system to support company culture?

Any company must adapt to the changes brought about by the proliferation of remote work and the impact this type of work can have on an employee’s ability to understand a company’s core values. Employers should prioritize a company culture that can thrive online. The onboarding process should be offered as a complete virtual experience with a suite of online management tools designed for this purpose.

Remote buddies can play a significant role in onboarding new employees online. These specific buddies could be existing team members or appropriately experienced employees from different departments. The primary role of the onboarding buddy should be to guide and provide mentorship for the new employee, potentially with a view to a longer-term online relationship.

Onboarding through the online buddy system indicates to remote workers that they are valued. Employers who provide the space for remote workers to succeed within a new culture are positioning the business for long-term success. 

The availability of opportunities for increased employee engagement could ultimately inspire a greater sense of affiliation to the company — a benefit that no organization would wish to miss out on.

Subscribe today to know what's changing tomorrow.

* indicates required
100% FREE. You can unsubscribe or manage your preferences at any time.
Tags: Remote WorkWorkforceWorkplace Wellness
Sheya Michaelides

Sheya Michaelides

Sheya is a freelance writer and part-time Psychology Masters student based in London, England. With a bachelor’s degree in organizational psychology and industrial sociology, Sheya has a diverse working background in both the voluntary and private sectors, with a focus on issues of race, diversity, and equality.

No Result
View All Result

How will work change in 2023?

Subscribe today to know what's changing tomorrow.

* indicates required
100% FREE. You can unsubscribe or manage your preferences at any time.
Hire a freelancer Fiverr
Sonos Roam
A world of learning — on sale now. Expand your horizons with online courses starting at $11.99

Latest News

Demand for Flexible Workspace Gains Momentum in India

Demand for Flexible Workspace Gains Momentum in India

June 5, 2023
Meta Employees Brace for a Return to the Office

Meta Employees Brace for a Return to the Office

June 5, 2023
Canadian Federal Government Targets 50% Reduction in Office Spaces

Canadian Federal Government Targets 50% Reduction in Office Spaces

June 5, 2023
Pennsylvania Considers Incentives for 4-day Workweek

Pennsylvania Considers Incentives for 4-day Workweek

June 2, 2023
NYC Mayor’s Policy Reversal Opens Doors to Remote Workers

NYC Mayor’s Policy Reversal Opens Doors to Remote Workers

June 2, 2023
Unemployment Rate Increases Despite Job Growth

Unemployment Rate Increases Despite Job Growth

June 2, 2023

News and Features

Business

Tech

Marketing

Design

Work-life

CRE

Coworking

Workforce

Daily Digest

Podcast

Resources

Marketplace

Events

Press Releases

FlexSpace, Coworking
and Office Space

Los Angeles

New York

Chicago

Washington, D.C.

Houston

Dallas

Miami

San Francisco

Atlanta

Philadelphia

Seattle

Austin

Company

About Us

Submit to Allwork.Space

Contact

Advertise

FlexSpace

Terms Of Use

FlexSpace FAQs

Privacy Policy

Connect with Allwork.Space

Twitter

Linkedin

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Google Podcasts

©2023 Allwork.Space  l  Exploring the FUTURE OF WORK® since 2003.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Topics
    • Work-life
    • Workforce
    • Design
    • Tech
    • Coworking
    • Business
    • CRE
    • Marketing
  • Experts
    • Podcast
    • Opinions
  • Resources
    • Research + Reports
    • Marketplace
    • Find Office Space
    • Find Remote Jobs
    • Press
  • Events
  • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Submit to Allwork.Space
    • Contact
Subscribe

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
-
00:00
00:00

Queue

Update Required Flash plugin
-
00:00
00:00