The quality of an organization’s social environment – including positive connections between coworkers and supportive management  – can significantly reduce employee burnout. To build a supportive community within the workplace organizations may consider promoting a culture of health, implementing supportive management strategies, building inclusive and trusting spaces, and supporting a community-building orientation. Use the resources in this section of the Hub to identify actionable steps your organization can take to promote a work environment that includes a supportive community among leaders and staff.

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Understand and Promote Connection

  • The Work and Wellbeing Initiative sponsored by Harvard University and MIT describes why social relationships matter and provides a summary of promising practices to promote more positive social relationships in the workplace: Improve Social Relationships in the Workplace

Take the Time to Build Connections

Promote Team Building Opportunities

There are lots of fun and easy ways to help employees connect and know each other better. Below are a few tips to help grow team relationships.

Take Action

Form Connections with Coworkers

  • Take a break with a coworker- even if it’s virtually!
  • Learn something new about a coworker.
  • Provide a gesture of support to a coworker.
  • Identify a common hobby, activity, etc. that you have with a co-worker and invite them to do that activity with you and your significant other. Examples include golfing, trying new food, starting a book club, etc.
  • Recommend to leadership that you have a social opportunity with co-workers where significant others are invited. For example, a team holiday party.

Reflective Question

In the past year, how often have you felt supported by your supervisor? How often have you done something to support your coworkers or employees?

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