Why we need the office (August 7, 2022)

When thinking of the office, it’s easy to fixate on the aspects of it that relate most directly to work—the daily commute, spreadsheets, meetings, paperwork, logistics, reports—but there is one aspect of coming into the office that is both important and overlooked. Socialisation.

The office, above everything else, is a social space which studies show that the social aspect of being human is essential to survival—from when we had to hunt food in groups until today when the sharing of ideas and collaboration remain as important as ever.

Our Nature

As just alluded to, wherever there are people, there’s socialisation. Socialisation could even be forbidden in a particular space, but humans will still find a way. Just think of prisoners-of-war (POWs) tapping on pipes, or kids in a classroom passing notes.

Humans need socialisation. Not only is it a major way in which we learn and grow, but it’s also how we’ve achieved revolutionary tasks throughout history.

Health and Wellness

Psychologists and other health professionals can attest to the health benefits of socialising. Not only is it good for us, but a lack of it can actually harm us. Socialisation also acts in the interest of wellness in a secondary capacity.

What does this mean? Healthy socialisation in the office creates a support structure. Coworkers can check up on each other and make sure things are okay. A coworker could encourage another to seek help if they have a problem or even just be there to listen, ever so slightly easing any burdens.

This creation of a workplace support structure isn’t just a benefit to the individual workers but to the company at large.

Psychologist Susan Pinker says that direct person-to-person contact is necessary for reducing stress and anxiety and making us more resilient.

“Face-to-face contact releases a whole cascade of neurotransmitters and, like a vaccine, they protect you now, in the present, and well into the future, so simply […] shaking hands, giving somebody a high-five is enough to release oxytocin, which increases your level of trust, and it lowers your cortisol levels, so it lowers your stress.”

Achieving Synergy

Workers who forge close social bonds work better together. Just think of the importance most workplaces put on team-building exercises. By fostering close social ties, workers synergise and are therefore happier and more productive in the workplace.

This leads to reduced chances of conflict and, in the case of physical work, less chance of an accident because workers are in tune with each other and looking out for each other’s interests on a deeper level.

Research reveals that remote working that the essentials of communication, like tone of voice and facial expressions, can get lost in translation, leading to mis-communication and sometimes conflict.

Conclusion

As can be seen, the social aspects of the office are not to be overlooked. Not only is socialisation core to the human experience, but proper socialisation is the foundation of a productive and safe work environment.