APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions.
Here she gives a reader advice who's feeling lonely while working a fully remote job.
Q: Six months ago, I took on a new job that is fully remote. At first, it was great not having to do a long, costly commute.
However, as the months have gone by, I’ve found it difficult to build relationships within my team – everyone works from home and we don’t have a central office.
I live with my boyfriend and have lots of friends I see outside of work, but during work hours I feel a lack of social interaction – talking on screen just isn’t the same as IRL!
Do you have any suggestions so I don’t feel so alone?
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A: It’s normal to experience feelings of loneliness when working remotely, as you’re not getting the usual social interactions that come with an office environment.
While in-person human interaction is always the best in my opinion, there are things you can do to help bridge the gap.
Opt for video calls instead of emails or chat messages when discussing work.
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Seeing and hearing your colleagues can help foster a sense of connection and build relationships.
Plus, establish a routine of check-ins with your manager and colleagues.
This can be a great opportunity for both work-related discussions, but also more casual conversations.
You could explore using a co-working space occasionally – it can provide a change of scenery and social interaction with other professionals – or consider working from a local coffee shop if it won’t prove a distraction.
It’s important to communicate your feelings with your manager, as the company may have initiatives in place to help employees feel more connected.
Finally, be patient. Building relationships in a remote setting takes time, but with effort and persistence, it is definitely possible.
- Got a careers question for Karren? Email [email protected]
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