Remote work comes with many perks, but some people miss their in-office connections. At Conduent, we have extensive experience with remote employees. We understand the challenges that can arise, so we’ve created this series to help remote employees thrive in a work-from-home environment. Visit other posts in this series to get additional advice on how to maintain work-life balance, develop your career, and manage your time as a remote employee.

Tips to Connect with Your Colleagues as a Remote Employee

Not only is personal connection important to your overall well-being and work satisfaction, but it will also show that you’re an engaged employee. When you prove to be a reliable person who cares about their work and can play well with others, you’ll be more likely to receive stretch projects and professional development opportunities. So, how can you connect with colleagues you may never meet in person?

1. Keep consistent hours.

Not only will this help you maintain a helpful routine and healthy boundaries, but your coworkers will have a good idea of when you’re available, so they feel comfortable reaching out.

2. Leverage technology.

When you don’t work in a shared office, it can be hard to see who’s available, find someone to ask questions and set up meetings. That’s where technology comes in. Use it to communicate, collaborate and let people know when you’ll be available. Get comfortable using web conference tools to meet in small or large groups. You might also consider using a shared calendar with your team and getting into the habit of regularly updating your status on whichever messaging app you and your colleagues use. Using technology this way helps you stay responsive, reliable and up to date on your colleagues’ work progress.

3. Brainstorm ways to bond with your colleagues.

It’s not as natural to grab lunch together when you’re all in different places. And you certainly can’t meet in the breakroom for a coffee. Consider planning lunchtime walks over the phone or inviting colleagues to video chats over coffee to catch up with one another.

4. Set up regular times to stay in touch with your supervisor.

Discuss your workload and project statuses, but also catch up on your personal lives. Think of this as old-school water cooler chats that further your relationship.

5. Celebrate wins.

When a colleague does something impressive or especially helpful, reach out and say so. A shout-out during team calls or even a simple email can show your coworkers how much you value their contributions.

Look for a Remote Job

Conduent has long offered work-from-anywhere roles, and we’re committed to empowering employees with flexible working options. In fact, many of our employees already work remotely. Hundreds of our positions currently offer flexible options, so take a look at our open remote jobs.