How to End Awkward Employee Encounters

How to End Awkward Employee Encounters Ever felt like your workplace is full of Toms, Dicks and Harries who  dont know each other  from bars of soap? Is the summer party a disaster waiting to happen? A  company full of mutual strangers can be damaging to its working culture, often inhibiting overall productivity as well as personal  performances.  While you cant force friendships in the office, you  can encourage employees to get to know each other by  creating opportunities to mingle. If your companys culture  needs a makeover, heres where  to begin: Start with the new starters Set good habits  from day dot. When newcomers join the business,  have their manager  walk them around the office and introduce them to everyone in the organisation. If you work in a  massive company with thousands of employees,  draw the line at the rest of the department or the same floor. While the new starter wont remember everyones name, this exercise will turn  a bunch of strangers into a network of familiar faces.  Its also a good heads up on who the newbie is for everyone else. (Yes, they will be wondering). Give the kitchen a makeover If I had a pound  for every hot drink Ive made  at work, Id  probably be  able to afford a personalised coffee van to park by my desk all day long. The office kitchen should be a hub for social interaction a place to prepare breakfast and lunch or brew a tea while having a casual conversation with the people you dont work directly with. Heres some food for thought: why not go one step further and add some chairs and tables, so people can enjoy more than just a brief moment away from their desk in a common area with other colleagues? Adding a TV or scattering some newspapers and magazines on the benches  can also  add  to the relaxed vibe and keep people coming back  to mingle. Sign up to support  a charity Nothing brings people together better than a good, deserving cause. Pick an organisation and encourage employees to help raise money. Holding different fundraising activities that cater to different personalities will help  employees network with colleagues who share  common interests.    Another option is  using  Everydayhero, which  allows individuals get behind a cause that matters to them, and enlist support from peers. Sponsor a company  sports team Think mixed netball, dodgeball, five-a-side football  The key here is to downplay the competitiveness and promote teamwork. The  mutual respect and  sportsmanship this creates among colleagues will no doubt carry across to the office and rub off on other employees.  Find a  corporate sporting league that offers local after-hours games, put together a team and go get em, Tiger! Tip: Perhaps go for a non-contact  sport if youre worried about having an office full of broken arms and legs! Also, remember to change the sport  up each season so as many people can get involved as possible. Schedule  inter-team meetings If only for 15 minutes, facilitate catch up sessions  that include people from different areas of the business. This will encourage collaboration among colleagues outside of their immediate teams, and create a professional forum  for raising issues. Take a holistic approach to supporting a positive corporate culture, by encouraging teams to work cohesively with other teams as well. Here, ignorance is NOT bliss. Understanding what other teams are working on can minimise a blaming culture when things go wrong. Try hot-desking If  the  office layout is as old as the dinosaurs, then the approach to corporate culture is likely dated too. While not everyone will be a fan of moving to a new spot each week,  hot desking  is  a technique that  fosters freshness and encourages employees to get to know other people in the same building.  Its important to shake up the workspace from time to time  try  rearranging tables, chairs and seating arrangements. Publish regular  internal newsletters Send around frequent  communications emails to staff members, showcasing  company  statistics, achievements, employee profiles and other employee-related news. Be sure to include plenty of photos (and name labels!) so workers  can learn  the faces of distant colleagues, without even having to talk to them! A newsletter format can be effective treat it like a weekly or monthly highlight reel that promotes positivity and celebration of success. It can also be a great vehicle for informing employees of upcoming events, major workplace changes and company initiatives. What are your top tips for axing awkwardness in the office? Image: Shutterstock