5 Ways to Develop Relationships with Your Coworkers In a Remote Work Setting

Relationships are a critical part of our lives. And while it’s important to maintain a work-life balance, it’s certainly important to have good relationships with colleagues, even if you want to keep your professional and personal lives separate.

Now that so many of us are working remotely all or some of the time, it can be difficult to build these connections. But there are some ways you can cultivate relationships with your colleagues, even in virtual settings.

1. Check in regularly.

Perhaps your team has frequent check-ins. Use them as an opportunity to learn more about your colleagues and their goings-on. If you don’t have team-wide check-ins, take the time to chat with your colleagues on a one-on-one basis. Even a quick “How are you?” on Slack will demonstrate that you care about their well-being and can help replace informal chats in the office kitchen.

2. Have social time.

Make time to socialize with your colleagues — even if it’s over Zoom. It could be as small as having a brief, non-work-related chat at the beginning of meetings, where you and your colleagues can share what’s happening in their lives. Or, perhaps you can have virtual happy hours and coffee breaks. This will help you build camaraderie, the kind that would come more naturally in a face-to-face setting.

3. Meet up in person.

Just because you’re working remotely doesn’t mean you can’t meet up in person! If you’re located in the same geographical area and are both comfortable with face-to-face contact, why not get together to cowork or socialize? You could even make it a team or group hang and head to a local park or restaurant.

4. Ask colleagues how they’re doing.

You appreciate it when others ask how you’re doing — so why not do the same for them? This is a great way to show your coworkers that you care about their well-being and want to support them.

5. Share tips.

Your coworkers are going through a similar experience as you, and they may be having trouble connecting with others, too. Offer tips about how you’ve been coping, and ask for advice from them, too. This will allow you to deepen your relationship with your coworkers and help them weather the storm at the same time. 

Remember: even if you’re feeling lonely, you’re not alone in this. Remote work arrangements can be isolating, but by creating a community for yourself in the workplace, you will be well equipped to navigate challenges.

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This article reflects the views of the author and not necessarily those of Fairygodboss.

Laura Berlinsky-Schine is a freelance editor and writer based in Brooklyn with her demigod/lab-mix Hercules. She primarily focuses on education, technology and career development. She has worked with Penguin Random House, Fairygodboss, CollegeVine, BairesDev and many other publications and organizations. Her humor writing has appeared in the Weekly Humorist, Slackjaw, Little Old Lady Comedy, Flexx Magazine, Points in Case, Jane Austen's Wastebasket, and Greener Pastures. She also writes fiction and essays, which have appeared in publications including The Memoirist and The Avalon Literary Review. View her work and get in touch at: www.lauraberlinskyschine.com.

What’s your no. 1 piece of advice for building relationships with coworkers in a remote work setting? Share your answer in the comments to help other Fairygodboss members!