Cliquey company when it comes to WFH. Help?

Question

My employer isn’t used to remote culture, prior to covid. But...in this current environment there are social slack channels and after hours team zoom events that I certain departments aren't included in. I find this very strange and am thinking about talking to someone about it. Any thoughts on how to bring this up to my manager (who isn't the one doing it) or to the HR creating this culture?

Tabbi Kinion · Answer

Start your own social events for your department! Or work with someone else to do so. When hanging out on Zoom, smaller groups are able to chat and talk better than larger groups. Instead of worrying about others being social, figure out how to do this for your team.

Corrinne Connolly · Answer

Have you tried asking the organizers if the whole company can attend instead of smaller groups? Or are they departmental zoom calls for “team bonding?” Or something? I could see that happening sometimes as large zooms can be overwhelming and no one talks but it’s worth discussing with the organizers IMO. Are you the only one excluded or your whole dept? And other depts?

Anonymous · Answer

Your manager probably is the one doing it to an extent in so much as HR is probably looking to the managers to plan and execute these things. Maybe your manager just isn't into them or hasn't expressed an interest? I offered some team building, social options to my team and they said no thanks so that was that. She might be assuming you aren't interested. Come at it positively - 'Hey, I'd really love to see something like [insert event] for our team? Could I plan something?'

Anonymous · Answer

I work for a company like this, I describe it as old and dysfunctional.  Sadly all attempts to change this are met with “I do not really think that is how we want to spend our time, we have an important mission to our patients and members”.  Basically it’s just not a priority.

Mara Fahl · Answer

Instead of bringing it up as something you want to stop, or change, I would go to your manager or HR with ideas for inclusive events that you'd be willing to organize. It's really hard and frustrating when there are cliques like this but when you try to control others they are more likely to end up becoming more insular. I bet you aren't the only one who is frustrated though, and taking the initiative to offer opportunities for everyone may be appreciated by the whole team! Anything that comes off as 'tattling' though is more likely to backfire on you than to improve the culture.

Laura McCann · Answer

This is interesting.  We have a few departments that are active on Zoom and doing that and other groups that are just not interested.  We do a monthly all campus Zoom call, usually at lunchtime.  I feel like we have a lot of different generations and some folks are just not into happy hours or doing Zoom later at night.  That's part of the reason why we've allowed departments to drive their own activities.

Jennifer Thornton · Answer

Are these department specific events or 'special' invite events where only some people across multiple areas are invited?

Cliquey company when it comes to WFH. Help?

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