Has remote working replaced human connection?

​The way we communicate at work has changed dramatically over the past few years. With an array of digital tools and social platforms at our fingertips, we're communicating and meeting more frequently and efficiently than ever. But is digital evolution at the cost of meaningful connection?

If we rely too much on Teams and not enough on being a team, what do we leave behind? Freelance writer Nicola Greenbrook explores the balance between convenience and connection - and asks if it’s time to rethink how we communicate in a hybrid world.

A shift in workplace connection

Communication at work has undergone a major transformation. In the 1980s and 1990s, we were in our desk phones, memos and face-to-face meetings era. A quick desk-side chat or water cooler moment was an essential part of the working day. Email arrived with a bang (or rather, a ping) in the early 2000s and became ubiquitous at the office, along with mobile phones and text messaging.

By the 2010s, smartphones were omnipresent, fax machines made way for scanners and chat tools like Yammer joined the party. With a growing focus on seeking work-life balance and not being tethered to the office, these digital tools helped create a remote workforce.

Still, sadly, not a distant memory, 2020 brought the COVID-19 pandemic—and with it, a sudden upheaval in how we worked. As remote work became mandatory, platforms like Zoom and Teams surged in popularity, keeping us productive and connected through uncertain times

In the current landscape, hybrid working has reshaped our daily interactions. From digital tools like Slack for real-time collaboration, Google Meet video calls for meetings and project management platforms like Trello to align and update on shared goals, we’re spoiled for choice.

How digital tools power remote teams

The upsides to using digital tools to work remotely are wide-reaching. Arguably, one of the biggest benefits is the positive impact on our work-life balance.

Remote working allows us to fit work around our busy schedules and balance professional responsibilities with personal ones; from caregiving to volunteering and creative pursuits. For many, productivity levels are supercharged, with fewer workplace distractions and less commuting helping us accomplish more. Plus, there are cost-efficiencies for employees and employers, saving on travel and food expenses, as well as reduced overhead costs related to office space and utilities.

All of this is powered by digital communication tools that connect us globally, instantly and asynchronously. With screen-sharing, greater inclusivity and real-time editing, we’re streamlining like pros and communicating at warp speed!

...and the downsides of digital dependence

Digital tools may have transformed how we communicate and what we can achieve, making conversations quicker, more efficient and global — but have we sacrificed the warmth and spontaneity that come with in-person meetings and phone calls?

There’s also a subtle shift in how we value time and interaction. With the advent of video calls, a quick check-in or casual chat now often feels like a scheduled event that must be carefully planned into an already meeting-heavy day. Real-time conversations — whether over a screen or in the office kitchen — can feel intrusive or draining, especially after hours of screen time.

Other disadvantages include:

• Technostress, which People Management defines as the feeling of anxiety, frustration and overload caused by the use of technology. Constant connectivity can disrupt concentration, increase mistakes and leave us feeling dissatisfied and empty.

• Screen fatigue and Zoom gloom, where the pressure to be constantly visible makes connection feel superficial, and endless scrolling and video calls leave us feeling exhausted.

• Digital burnout, when non-stop connection can lead to emotional exhaustion, decreased productivity and even a disconnection from real life.

• Loneliness. The Institute of Directors reports the risk of developing isolation when working remotely and feeling excluded from discussions, decisions and the workplace culture as a whole.

  

We may be efficient, responsive and available, but are we truly connected?

Di Gates, writing for People Management, doesn’t think so, and believes that “colleague relationships, not physical location, drive engagement, productivity, wellbeing and retention.”

Di, the founder of Connection Heroes, a learning community for organisations that want to understand and improve employee connection across their remote and hybrid teams, reports that human connection at work is eroding - and this is a critical problem. Slack threads filled with playful emojis may spark quick replies and seem fun at the time, but they can sometimes water down empathy and lose a sense of genuine interaction.

Rebuilding connection in a digital age: practical tips

So, how can we start to rebuild meaningful workplace relationships and turn our focus to connection, rather than connectivity? Leaders and people professionals play a crucial role. Here are some strategies that could help foster authentic connections in remote and hybrid setups.

• Create opportunities for socialising: re-introduce on-site days, shared lunches and team off-sites to deepen relationships. Add workshops and creative huddles to build togetherness and collaboration and help tackle loneliness.

• Great creative with knowledge sharing: Whether it’s lunch-and-learns, casual but engaging internal talks or more structured mentorship programmes - offered in-person and digitally - it means best practices don’t get lost or siloed, and innovation thrives.

• Don’t make it all about work: Schedule regular catch-ups, virtual coffees and agenda-free chats for lighter-touch and more meaningful conversations.

• Upskill and equip leaders and teams: From active listening to using open questions in team meetings, consider training that will build a psychologically safe work environment and bolster work relationships.

• Offer emotional support to remote workers: Don’t forget regular check-ins, and encourage social interaction and personal contact if it’s been a little too Teams or Slack-heavy. This can help prevent feelings of isolation and disconnection.

• Revive the water cooler: Consider creating ‘gather’ spaces where unplanned, happy interactions can flourish. Sure, it could be replicated digitally - but if you can do it physically, even better. Stephen J. Bronner, writing for Inverse dives into the positive impact it can have on workplace culture.

• Go retro: Video calls can feel more like an obligation than a natural conversation, so why not give them a call instead? Phone calls help us to connect without the pressure of being 'on camera'. Face-to-face meetings allow for natural, nuanced exchanges, where body language and tone are key players. If there’s biscuits, even better.

  

Reconnecting with what matters

Digital tools offer countless benefits, but technology should enhance, not replace, connection. Remote and hybrid work might be here to stay, but so is our need for genuine, authentic work relationships. Rebalancing our communication culture with a thoughtful blend of digital and in-person catch-ups could help restore that all-important human touch.

See you at the water cooler!

​Nicola Greenbrook

London based freelance writer, podcaster and HR specialist

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