Take Back the Workweek

We’ve never been more connected, and we’ve never been more alone. For two years technology has kept us working, but now it’s keeping us apart. Humans need human interaction. In our work from home world, we’ve forgotten the power and, let’s be honest, fun of working together. Introducing Take Back the Workweek, a rallying cry and a reminder to re-establish those IRL connections.

Workplace culture needs to be experienced.

It’s difficult to feel connected to the culture of a place when you’re never there. That’s because the culture of a workplace needs to be lived, not just spoken of. Odds are culture played a role in your initial job search, and it’s likely a chief reason you are where you are. But that camaraderie, that ‘vibe’ isn’t easily translated into an email thread. Culture is above all else a bond, and it requires social interaction to flourish. Mission statements are just that, statements. And shared values need to be shared.

Working in office is convenient.

Working from home seems convenient, that is until you need to rush to a midday dentist appointment or drop off your dry cleaning. At home we’re mostly isolated from the everyday conveniences that we take for granted when we’re in-office. Grabbing dinner on the way home, popping into the salon or barber shop over lunch, treating ourselves to a manicure on a Friday afternoon; more than work gets done at work.

Working together is healthier.

Let’s face if working from home can be lonely, whereas office culture provides us with much needed human interaction. When we socialize our brains release the hormones that makes us happy and limit the release of stress hormones that have a negative impact on our health. Further, many home offices, if they’re offices at all, aren’t ergonomically ideal. Kitchen chairs, couches, beds – many of us make do with what’s available but our necks, eyes and backs wouldn’t mind a few hours at a proper desk each week. And let’s not forget the benefits of getting out of the house and communing to the office to get the blood flowing and a healthy dose of fresh air.

It’s good to get out.

Look, we love our partners, parents, roommates and children, and we love a little alone time, but it’s been a long few years and the draw of grabbing coffee with someone you don’t share a home with is, at this point, undeniable. We’ve already touched on the convenient services connected to the workplace, but what about the social ones? Because as eager as many of us are to get out and socialize, we’re also creatures of habit. It can be tough to shake off routine and organize after work drinks or mid-week coffee dates when the fridge and the French press are already within arm’s reach. When you’re in office it’s different, you’re steps away from over 60 restaurants, coffee shops and eateries to choose from to shake off the boredom.