Hybrid Working Lingo: The Top 5 Buzzwords You Need to Know
December 7, 2022
The Wellness Tribe
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In the era of hybrid working, several buzzwords have become increasingly important to understand. These terms can help us navigate the changing landscape of work and communicate effectively about the ways in which we are working.
In this article, we will discuss five of the most important buzzwords in the hybrid working era: Frolleagues, distributed teams, asynchronous communication, Proximity Bias, and Productivity Paranoia.
Frolleagues are individuals who are both colleagues and friends, and the frolleague relationship can begin as a professional one and then evolve into a friendship. It is common for people who work together to form close bonds and friendships, especially if they spend a lot of time together and have shared experiences.
It is essential to recognise that different people may have different boundaries around their work relationships, and it is important to respect those boundaries. It is also important to be mindful of the potential risks or challenges that can arise when mixing professional and personal relationships and to communicate openly and honestly with frolleagues about expectations and boundaries.
A distributed team is a group of individuals who work together but are not physically located in the same place. This type of team is common in the era of hybrid working, as it allows for a mix of remote and in-office work. With distributed teams, it is important to establish clear communication channels and set expectations for collaboration and communication.
Asynchronous Communication
Asynchronous communication is a term used to describe forms of communication that do not require all parties to be present simultaneously. This can include emails, instant messaging, and other forms of written communication. In the era of hybrid working, asynchronous communication is important for allowing team members to collaborate and communicate effectively, even when they are not all in the exact location.
Proximity Bias
Proximity bias refers to the tendency to favour or give preferential treatment to individuals who are physically present or close to themselves. This bias can manifest in various ways in the workplace, such as providing more opportunities or attention to employees who are physically present in the office or overlooking the contributions or needs of remote workers.
Proximity bias can harm employees working remotely or not physically present in the office, as it may lead to a lack of equal opportunities or recognition for their contributions. It can also negatively impact team dynamics and morale, as it may create a sense of unfairness or inequality among team members.
Productivity paranoia refers to the anxiety or stress individuals may feel around their ability to be productive, especially in the modern workplace. This anxiety may be fueled by societal or cultural pressures to be constantly productive and achieve high levels of success, as well as by a lack of work-life balance or a lack of support from employers or colleagues.
In the era of hybrid working, productivity paranoia may be exacerbated by the challenges of working remotely, such as the blurring of boundaries between work and home life or the need to juggle multiple responsibilities. It may also be fueled by the fear of not being seen as a valuable contributor to the team or organisation or by the fear of being left behind in an increasingly competitive job market.
Closing Words
In conclusion, as a corporate wellness company, we always stay attuned to the buzzwords and trends shaping the modern workplace, especially in the era of hybrid work. However, by understanding the terms, we can better support the health and well-being of employees as they navigate this new way of working.
It is also crucial for us to recognise the potential challenges and risks that may arise in a hybrid work environment, such as productivity paranoia and proximity bias. By addressing these issues and promoting inclusivity and equity, we can create a healthy and supportive workplace for all employees, regardless of their physical location. Overall, the era of hybrid work presents both opportunities and challenges. By staying informed and proactive, we can continue to support the well-being of employees in this evolving landscape.
Productivity
The Productivity Guide - How to Be More Productive at Work
September 15, 2022
The Wellness Tribe
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We've all experienced a bad day while working from home.
You begin your day on a positive note. However, the deadline for a large project is approaching, and you don't have time to complete it. So, instead of staying on track and getting an early start, you get distracted by anything but work.
The majority of your workday is spent on Twitter, Slack, and LinkedIn. We won't even talk about email. So those ambitions of completing the assignment before lunch become far away.
You aren't alone: office workers spend 28% of their time on unnecessary distractions. In addition to this, an average of five hours are spent each week visiting non-work-related websites.
As soon as you put those useless distractions aside, you're hit by midday hunger pangs, and all you want is food. As a result of wasting your whole morning, your mind explodes into a frenzy, and your anxious afternoon transforms into an evening full of stress.
Try to imagine what it would be like if you had a productive workday every day; imagine what it would be like if it became a habit.
At first, you will need to put in more time and effort. Our recommendations, however, may be helpful for long-term adjustments in your work routine with a bit of self-reflection and forward thinking.
A day's work can be set in stone within its first hour. But, with a couple of mistakes, you will find it's already 11 a.m., having no idea where the first two hours of your day went.
Morning productivity is all about developing habits that will last. So if you're looking for something to do on Monday, instead of opening Facebook, open Google Docs instead.
A Few Things To Start With
Starting your day with a nutritious meal will set you up for success. Dietary choices affect your productivity at work, as they provide everything your mind body soul needs.
It is recommended to consume low-glycemic carbohydrate diets throughout the day to maintain consistent energy levels. For those of us who aren't nutritionists, this means lots of fruits and vegetables. In addition, an egg, banana, yogurt, or blueberry breakfast may improve memory and relieve stress.
You should resist the urge to look at your e-mail when you first arrive at your workstation. You might lose your most valuable thinking hours early in the morning if you start your day reading, responding, and sorting your inbox.
The constant checking of your email will also become a habit. Reading your email while you commute to work is an excellent idea if you don't drive to work. If you have any important to-do items to check in your email before heading out to work, allocate five to ten minutes for them.
Once you have inspected it briefly, please turn it off. You will notice the difference in your productivity.
"Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort." - Paul J. Meyer
The Little Things
Do you still want to open Gmail? You can achieve productivity goals most easily by developing "tiny habits." Tiny habits are simple, ongoing activities that create long-term behavioural changes.
For new behaviours to stick, consider the following factors:
1. Motivating factors that may assist in changing a habit.
2. Acts that make the new habit easy to form.
3. A stimulus that results in an action.
If you know that email is a huge distraction for you, schedule times to check it. Then, treat yourself to a snack break if you finish it in less than 15 minutes. Try this strategy for any habit you wish to create, such as reading or meditating, and you will have a perfect work life balance.
It may not be ideal for everyone to have an organised to-do list, but we could all benefit from it. First, sort chores into priority levels and categorise them accordingly. Prioritising the simplest chores is tempting, but setting priority levels will remind you to focus on the bigger tasks first.
Identify Your Distractions
A diagnosis is essential to administering the correct treatment in medicine. In addition, it is essential to understand what precisely distracts you if you want to establish productive habits that last months, not days.
Using time tracking software or good old-fashioned pen and paper, keep track of how you spend your time for a week. Record when you encounter distractions and what they are during the process.
Review your work time at the end of each week. Analyse patterns of cause and effect. For example, you may fall victim to reading the news while working. Then you scroll for 30 minutes on social media after checking your email.
The process of documenting your week may seem overwhelming to many people. They may claim that it will take a considerable amount of time. But don't ignore this one. You might have more work for one week, but you'll save hundreds of hours later.
A Remote Work Environment
Nowadays, more and more people work from home. Indeed, you're not distracted by co-workers at home, but that doesn't mean you're untouched by distractions. Homeworkers often become their own worst enemies when working from home.
Conclusion
Whenever possible, try to replicate your regular weekday on your off-days. A regular schedule of waking up, showering, and dressing as if you were going to work is important. Working from home doesn't mean staying at home all day.
Go to a coffee shop to avoid the temptation to clean the bathroom or organise your bookcases. Instead, commit to accomplishing more - preferably ahead of the weekly demands - when you work from home.
Occupational Wellbeing
Beyond the Bottom Line: Empathetic Layoffs Guide for Companies
March 8, 2023
The Wellness Tribe Team
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As the month of March 2023 draws to a close, the tech industry is currently experiencing a storm of layoffs, leaving a trail of job losses and uncertainty in its wake.
But the impact is not limited to Tech companies, as the shockwaves of these layoffs will be felt across the industry and beyond. It is in such times of crisis that the importance of empathy in conducting layoffs cannot be overstated.
Companies that prioritize the well-being of their employees and conduct layoffs with compassion and respect can minimize the negative impacts of these difficult decisions, both on the affected employees and on the company's reputation.
By embracing the gentle art of farewells and adopting empathetic layoff practices, companies can navigate this challenging time while providing much-needed support to those who are leaving the organization.
When companies conduct layoffs in an unempathetic manner, it can have a devastating impact on the employees who are losing their jobs, as well as those who remain.
Unempathetic layoffs can cause psychological trauma, anxiety, and stress for the affected employees, who may feel betrayed and unsupported. The resulting sense of loss of identity and financial insecurity can lead to long-term negative effects on their mental and physical health.
Furthermore, unempathetic layoffs can also negatively impact the remaining employees. They may fear for their own job security and feel demoralized by the company's lack of compassion. The sudden loss of colleagues and friends can lead to a decrease in morale and productivity.
These effects can also spread beyond the company, affecting the broader community and even the industry as a whole. Unempathetic layoffs can also severely damage the company's reputation, resulting in a loss of customer loyalty, a decline in brand trust, and decreased sales.
"Empathy is about finding echoes of another person in yourself." - Mohsin Hamid.
The Importance of Empathy in Layoffs
At the heart of any successful layoff is empathy. But what exactly is empathy, and why is it so important during layoffs? Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person.
In the context of layoffs, empathy means acknowledging and addressing the emotional impact that losing a job can have on employees. This includes recognizing the stress, fear, and uncertainty that employees may experience and providing support to help them through the transition.
The benefits of empathetic layoffs are numerous. Firstly, it helps to maintain a positive company culture by demonstrating that employees are valued and respected, even in the face of difficult decisions.
Empathy can also foster a sense of trust and loyalty between the company and its remaining employees, who may be worried about their own job security in the wake of layoffs. In addition, empathetic layoffs can help to protect the company's reputation and reduce the risk of negative press or backlash from the public.
Therefore, it is essential for companies to prioritize empathy when conducting layoffs. By doing so, they can not only minimize the negative impacts of the layoff but also create a more supportive and positive work environment in the long run.
Layoffs are never easy, and preparing for them can be just as challenging. However, when done with empathy and care, companies can ease the transition for employees and help them navigate the job market during difficult times. Here are some important considerations for preparing for empathetic layoffs:
Communication with affected employees
Open and honest communication is key when preparing for layoffs. Employees should be informed about the impending layoffs as soon as possible and provided with clear and transparent reasons for the decision. Companies can also offer resources and support to help employees through the process, such as providing counseling services or financial advice.
Providing outplacement services
Outplacement services can be a valuable resource for laid-off employees, providing them with guidance and support as they search for new job opportunities. Companies can work with outplacement firms to provide services such as resume writing, interview preparation, and networking support.
Assisting with job searches
In addition to outplacement services, companies can assist with job searches by providing references, making introductions, and even hosting job fairs. Companies can also provide training and education opportunities for employees to help them acquire new skills and become more competitive in the job market.
By preparing for empathetic layoffs, companies can help their employees navigate the transition with as much support and care as possible. With open communication, resources and support, and a commitment to helping employees find new opportunities, companies can make a difficult situation a little bit easier for everyone involved.
Conducting Empathetic Layoffs
Choosing the right time and place
When it comes to conducting layoffs with empathy, the timing and location of the announcement can make a big difference. Ideally, companies should choose a time that allows affected employees to process the news without having to leave work immediately.
Additionally, the location of the announcement should be private and conducive to a calm and respectful discussion.
Providing a clear explanation for the layoff
Transparency is key when conducting empathetic layoffs. It's essential to provide a clear explanation for the decision to lay off employees, along with any relevant details about severance packages, outplacement services, and other forms of support. This can help to alleviate confusion and uncertainty among the affected employees.
Being honest and transparent
Honesty is the best policy, even in the context of layoffs. Being upfront about the situation and the reasons behind the decision can help to establish trust and demonstrate empathy towards the employees. This can go a long way towards minimizing the negative impact of the layoff on the employees' well-being and morale.
Supporting Employees After Layoffs
Following the layoff, companies should maintain open lines of communication with the affected employees. This can include providing them with access to career coaching, resume building, and other job search resources.
Additionally, companies can organize alumni groups or other networking opportunities to help former employees stay connected with the organization and with each other.
Providing support for remaining employees
It's important not to overlook the impact that layoffs can have on the remaining employees. To help employees cope with the stress and uncertainty that often accompany layoffs, companies must provide them with training and support to take on new responsibilities, as well as emotional support via corporate wellness programs.
This can include counseling, team-building activities, or other initiatives designed to boost morale and promote a sense of camaraderie among the remaining employees.
Addressing negative impacts on the company's reputation
Finally, companies should take steps to address any negative impacts on the company's reputation that may have resulted from the layoffs. This can involve communicating openly and transparently with customers, partners, and other stakeholders about the reasons behind the decision and the steps being taken to support the affected employees.
Companies can also consider public relations initiatives or other outreach efforts to help repair any damage that may have been done to the company's image.
Conclusion
While no one wants to conduct layoffs, they can be necessary in certain situations. By following the guidelines outlined in this guide, companies can minimize the harm caused by layoffs and demonstrate their commitment to treating their employees with respect and compassion.
It's also important to remember that layoffs are just one aspect of a company's broader culture and employee relations and that companies can take steps to prevent or mitigate the need for layoffs in the first place by prioritizing employee engagement, satisfaction, and growth.
As a corporate wellness company, The Wellness Tribe is committed to supporting the well-being of both employees and companies. If your organization is facing the difficult process of layoffs, we want to help.
Our team of experienced wellness professionals can provide support, resources, and guidance to help employees navigate this challenging time with resilience and grace.
Whether you need counseling services, stress-management tools, or team-building activities, we have the expertise and experience to help you and your employees thrive.
Reach out to us today to learn more about how The Wellness Tribe can support your organization and its employees during this tough time.
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