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Here's a fun question for today: How do you think the business etiquette has changed with regards to meeting new coworkers whom you've only known over Zoom or Slack — or at this point, meeting someone in person whom you've only worked with virtually for a year or two?
For my $.02, I really think you should go out of your way to say hi to a coworker whom you've only known virtually — whether you're the boss or subordinate — just to swing by their office to chitchat in person. (If you're the boss, though, take them out to lunch!)
Similarly, if you're involved with HR and people are coming back to the office, are you planning more frequent in-person social events to let people get to chat more, whether it's a cookie/donut offering at 3:00 p.m. or cocktails at a nearby patio? I'd love to hear what everyone's offices and teams are doing to ease the social transition back to work.
I'm curious for those of you with staggered work schedules (where, say, you have two days remote and three days in the office) — are you going out of your way to align those days with coworkers whom you haven't met yet in person? Have there been any funny surprises (like, I don't know, realizing that your boss is like eight months pregnant without her having mentioned it)?
Stock photo via Scopio / Pablo Nidam.
Anonymous
The stock photo of a handshake is so 2019.
Anonymous
+1 haha
Anon
Saying ‘Hi’ to coworkers and introducing yourself to new team members, this has always been the norm. I would hope that professional women do not need to be told this.
Anon
Exactly. Are things super bad somewhere I am unaware of? Act like a normal human being FFS!
Cat
I’m a little curious how many readers have gone back to work- it seems the standard among my acquaintances is that places were targeting a return in September, but decided to put a pause on that because of Delta and unvaxxed kids. (Also, if we had gone back to work, the weirdest part was that there were going to be limits on in-person interactions… if that’s the deal, what’s the point of going in??)
Anonymous
I haven’t gone back to work. I still haven’t met a lot of new pandemic colleagues yet. Honestly it’s kind of weird feeling like I ‘know’ people I’ve worked with virtually for over a year but I couldn’t even tell you how tall they are.
Anon
This came up in the thread yesterday in a discussion about flats vs. heels. I have been back in the office full time since November 2020. In my office, we have been handling in-person interactions according to local Covid guidelines. It is nice to see people in the breakroom, but strange to have most of our meetings remain virtual.
Anon
Went back last week. Sick this week. No point in being there when ready of my team in another country. More upset in forced back when I’ve been others quarantined ! Now I need to test, wish me luck…
Athena
I’m a higher ed administrator and so far the winner is, “Dean Athena, you’re so short! All year I thought you were at least as tall as I am!” I lie about being 5’2″ and I love the idea that this student gave me credit for a few more inches. =)