Returning to the Office May Refuel Workers Who Are Running on Empty

Full disclosure: This blog post was first started in August 2021—before Delta, before Omicron, in that brief period when everything seemed to be settling in and returning to campus seemed possible. Six months later, in March 2022, I'm ready to give it another go. And, after seven more months of hybrid working that brought tantalizing samples of in-person interactions, I'm even more certain that physically coming back to work is beneficial. Below, I outline two benefits of working in person.

Co-Workers Complete You

A recent study by Microsoft found that younger workers and those new to a company experienced the pain of social isolation more than veteran workers. These employees did not develop relationships with their teams and felt more distant from leadership.

Self-expansion theory suggests that this isolation not only leads to dissatisfaction but can also stunt personal growth. People experience a sense of personal growth when they complete new tasks or when they incorporate new perspectives and identities and research by McIntyre and his colleagues suggests that because our jobs are central to how we see ourselves, workplaces and co-workers can have the same expanding effects.

In a typical workday, people are exposed to new perspectives through both formal and informal workplace interactions with customers, coworkers, bosses that require adopting and understanding the perspectives of others and lead to expanding one's sense of self to include those co-workers and the workplace. However, since the onset of the pandemic, organizations have become more siloed. Stronger relationships were prioritized, weaker relationships fell to the wayside, and new relationships were not created. As a result, people interacted less with people with different perspectives, were exposed to fewer new challenging tasks, and experienced less self-expansion. A workplace with richer experiences, such as in-person workplaces, creates a feeling of personal growth, leading to greater job satisfaction and commitment.

There Are More "Little Birds" in a Workplace

While the are formal communication networks within organizations, sometimes the most useful information comes through informal networks. Embedded in gossip, people learn how new initiatives are implemented, how to work with new managers, and organizational culture. In addition, large and small companies run on knowing the right person to ask for help or information. Informal information is especially helpful when people can't learn by observing others, or when tasks are complicated and nuanced. Direct observation of others can also help in creating career ambitions, as people can observe co-workers and leaders across a variety of responsibilities and tasks. Finally, informal information exchange builds social connections and trust.

While informal networks can survive via chats and instant messages, getting to know and trusting those with whom you might exchange such information is harder in a virtual environment. We've all been in situations when an exchanged look or glance communicates shared opinions or concerns. Eye contact and two-way, responsive nonverbal communication are nearly impossible in anything except a 1-on-1 online conversation. And, people are unlikely to initiate 1-on-1 online interactions with unknown coworkers. While we might drop by the office of a potential new friend, casual conversation is difficult online. That lack of nonverbal communication can eliminate pathways to authentic relationship building.

In summary, when you work side-by-side with people, you expand your sense of self and open avenues for growth. And, you gain access to the informal information that can help you succeed in an organization.