With the rise of remote work, fostering a sense of community and connectivity among employees has become increasingly important. Companies that support remote work have found that running internal events can boost employee engagement and communication. A recent Harvard study highlights the benefits of well-planned internal events for remote teams.
The Harvard study found that meeting in person, even once a quarter, can greatly improve employee connectivity. The study showed a 113% increase in employee communications after these in-person meetings. This highlights the importance of regular face-to-face meetings to maintain strong internal networks and effective communication channels.
The study also found that the boost in connectivity was highest among similar groups. Employees tended to link up most with colleagues of similar age, ethnicity, and gender. This suggests that well-planned events can help reinforce existing social bonds and create new ones, particularly within diverse workforces.
Another interesting finding from the study was the impact of random group meetings. Employees who shared an Uber airport ride experienced large benefits in connecting with others. This demonstrates that informal, unplanned interactions can be just as valuable as structured events in building employee relationships.
Data shows that effective internal events are typically small (less than 100 people), short (less than a day), and involve minimal travel (less than two hours). This suggests that local, easily accessible events are most effective for promoting employee engagement and connectivity.
Research indicates that temporary colocation events (where employees are brought together in the same place for a specific time), such as company retreats and in-person meetings, play a crucial role in stimulating online interactions among remote workers. These events help counteract the challenges of asynchronous communication by providing opportunities for spontaneous interactions and relationship building. The effectiveness of these events, however, can vary based on demographic similarities and the structure of the interactions.
Temporary colocation events can enhance online communication, but the benefits are often less pronounced for pairs of employees from different backgrounds. Differences in age, ethnicity, and gender can create barriers to interaction. However, shared activities, such as sharing a taxi ride, can help overcome these barriers and encourage interactions between diverse employees.
Organizations can optimize the benefits of temporary colocation by designing events that encourage diverse interactions. Structured activities, such as randomly assigned groups for events or shared transportation, can reduce the tendency for employees to stick to similar others, or people they already know. By planning ways for people to meet and interact by chance, companies can help employees from different backgrounds connect better and improve communication.
To further support these findings, we can look at survey data on employee preferences and experiences with in-office and remote work. These are actionable Insights from an 8,000-Worker Remote environment, and you can download the surveys here.
According to survey data, the most enjoyable aspects of being in-office include spending time with co-workers (46%) and the ease of collaboration and idea-sharing (29%). This reinforces the importance of in-person interactions for building strong team relationships and fostering innovation.
When working in an office, employees prioritize the quality of office space (58.8%), ease of travel (53.2%), and office equipment (52.3%). Ensuring these factors are addressed can make in-office work more appealing and productive for employees.
Survey data shows that offsite employer-sponsored events typically last less than a full day (52.9%) and involve minimal travel time (57.5% travel one hour or less). This suggests that short, local events are most effective for fostering employee engagement and connectivity.
Based on the data, internal events should be kept small and local. This reduces travel time and makes it easier for employees to attend. These gatherings can be as simple as a team lunch, workshop, or a short offsite meeting.
Incorporate opportunities for random, informal interactions. This could be through unstructured networking sessions, random group activities, or shared transportation to events. These informal moments can lead to significant boosts in connectivity and relationship building.
Ensure that events cater to diverse groups within the organization. Tailor activities to different interests and backgrounds to foster inclusivity and ensure that everyone feels valued and connected. This can be done by offering a variety of event types and formats.
For companies with a hybrid work model, consider organizing hybrid events that allow both in-person and virtual participation. This ensures that remote employees can still engage and connect with their in-office counterparts.
After each event, gather feedback from participants to understand what worked well and what could be improved. Use this feedback to refine future events and ensure they continue to meet the needs and preferences of employees.
Epoch's platform is designed to streamline and enhance internal event management. With features that allow easy creation, distribution, and tracking of events, Epoch helps companies deliver personalized experiences at scale. Epoch supports embedding interactive content, automating reminders for events, and generating insightful analytics that help HR teams measure and improve their engagement processes.
By utilizing Epoch, companies can ensure their event management process is not only efficient but also engaging and responsive to the needs of employees. This approach speeds up the planning process and enhances the overall employee experience, leading to better participation rates and more successful team integration.
For more information on how Epoch can transform your event management, book a demo today!
One email, every month.
.png)