Starting a new job, in a new sector, with new people during lockdown was nerve wrecking, and when I saw an ‘informal team call’ scheduled into my diary on my second day, I had no clue what to expect. How ‘informal’ really was this? Was it just going to be ‘organised fun’? I had no real knowledge what everyone was like, or what the call would be like. To my surprise, it really was what it said on the tin – an informal team call. We spoke about what we had been watching on TV, what was happening in our daily lives, memes that we had seen – just general chit chat.
I’ve been with AAB Consulting for 3 months now, and for me, these team calls have been so important; they let me get to know the people I am working with. Their thoughts, opinions, what they enjoy doing, what makes them laugh, what makes them, them. Even for those who have worked alongside each other for years, they give an insight into people’s lives outside of work, which we may not see in an office. They can help to remind us that everyone has their own personal struggles on top of work, and without these team calls, it can be easy for people to forget about that.
Not only are these calls beneficial for social aspects, but they can also help us to improve our work and mental wellbeing. Staring at a screen for hours on end can make us disengage, which can reduce the quality of our work. Taking a break – especially during these uncertain times – can help us to avoid burnout and increase our productivity. We are quick to forget that burnout isn’t essential; we shouldn’t feel ashamed to admit that we need to take a break – we aren’t machines, and we shouldn’t be expected to act like one. We know that working from home can be difficult and, in some cases, lonely. Sometimes these informal calls can act as a ‘breather’ and give people a guaranteed break from work – which may not happen otherwise, as well as giving people the chance to connect with others.