Beyond Remote, Towards Connection
Coreteam is a 100% global remote team. Our “office” is a shared digital space spanning cities, countries, and continents. It comes with both incredible breakthroughs and unique challenges for the HR team.
Remote work has given us the gift of flexibility, inclusivity, and the ability to tap into talent from every corner of the world. Since 2020, when COVID-19 reshaped the way we operate, remote work has emerged not just as an alternative but as a new normal, proving to be more productive, cost-effective, and connected.
However, I quickly learned it comes with challenges that are hard to ignore: isolation, fatigue, and the loss of everyday interactions that impacted team bonding.
The Invisible Threads of Belonging
In traditional workspaces, when employees work under the same roof, we tend to underestimate the impact of simple everyday interactions. Exchanging greetings, chatting by the coffee machine, or walking to lunch together, these weren’t just “casual” moments; they were the threads that knitted all employees with a sense of belonging, community, and shared purpose.
With remote work, I found myself asking: “Maybe we are more networked, but are we truly connected?”
This question hit me as an HR more deeply, especially since Employee Engagement and Diversity & Inclusion are the ethos of my role.
I realised that connection doesn’t always come from big initiatives; sometimes, even sharing a lame joke, meaningful collaboration, or mutual respect also helps you create lasting bonds and relationships.
Reimagining Friday Coffee
The insight sparked a change. That’s what led us to reimagine our Friday Coffee sessions. Initially, they were just an informal catch-up to talk about anything but work. But I wanted to listen to the pulse of our employees. So, we ran a simple opinion poll at Coreteam, asking the team what they would really enjoy.
Now, every Friday isn’t just another remote call; it’s more of our Company Culture Day. A day where we show up not just as employees, but as individuals. They are a rotating calendar of:
- Virtual games
- Online cooking sessions
- Stress-burnout meditation
- Team walks
- And newer activities each week
Our team is a diverse group of incredible individuals who are sometimes gamers, sometimes chefs, and sometimes meditative ninjas. Each week, we celebrate individuality while strengthening and nurturing our bond with each other.
More Than “Fun Activities”
From HR lens, these sessions may come across as just some “fun activities,” but in reality, they humanise the remote experience. They give employees space to unwind, express, and connect in ways that reinforce inclusivity, joy, and authenticity.
These sessions reinforce inclusivity by building trust and injecting joy into work, thereby orchestrating a rhythm of connection that keeps culture alive in a workplace without walls.
In a world where “office” no longer means a physical building, it is now a global platform; a shared digital environment that thrives on trust, respect, teamwork, and culture. What truly matters is not the screen we stare at but the laughter we share, the belonging we feel, and the spirit we build together.
And as HR, that’s the ultimate reminder: it’s not about managing people, it’s about humanising the workplace, wherever that place may be.
Ready to transform your workplace culture into one that thrives?
