Workplace Isolation: Alone Together

The “Return to Normal”

The so-called “return to normal” in recent months hasn’t put an end to isolation—because “normal” has changed significantly over the past few years. Hybrid work is here to stay, but it still fosters a sense of solitude. What mindset should we adopt? How can managers and employers actively combat isolation and strengthen team cohesion?

Breaking Away from a 100% Productive Routine

First observation: Even with employees spending several days a week at the office, informal interactions remain rare, impacting team bonding and a sense of belonging. Long-time employees have maintained strong personal connections even through remote work, while new hires struggle to form meaningful relationships with their colleagues. Since the pandemic, simple coffee chats or casual check-ins between meetings have become key engagement factors.

Even in a hybrid model, time spent with others remains overly focused on productivity. Whether at home or in the office, employees tend to follow the same routine: finishing meetings, isolating themselves, and completing their tasks. But the best ideas often emerge after the formal meeting ends. Progress is difficult without tapping into the collective brainpower of colleagues!

Creating Informal Moments

No matter your approach, sending a few GIFs won’t boost engagement. You can’t control every interaction, and fostering real connections is difficult when everyone is working behind a screen.

Hybrid work allows employees to choose their ideal work environment. Some thrive in the office, preferring a structured workspace over a cramped kitchen counter. Others are more productive at home, balancing work with personal life. The key is adaptability—creating opportunities for in-person collaboration, using face-to-face time to fuel creativity, and tailoring these moments to the needs of each project, team, and role.

Experiment with different approaches and observe what works best. Office presence should contribute to something collective. At La Tête Chercheuse, we strive to be efficient without being solely task-oriented. Our hybrid model includes two in-office days per week, with one dedicated as a common team day to ensure no one works alone at the office.

For us, teamwork is more than just checking off tasks—it’s about building meaningful relationships and fostering a sense of purpose within the collective. Workplace happiness thrives when employees feel their contributions matter, and strong team bonds must be cultivated before they can endure between video calls.