The pandemic upended norms for socializing in the office. Employees vary in their level of anxiety and comfort about being back in a work environment, so it is important to respect their wishes, The Wall Street Journal reported Nov. 8.
Here are five tips to remember when socializing with colleagues in the office and avoiding unnecessary conflict:
1. A respectful hello
Instead of assuming your colleague wants to go in for a hug or handshake, simply ask what they are comfortable with.
2. Personal space
If you feel uncomfortable with colleagues entering your personal space based on pre-pandemic norms, voice your concern and let them know what distance you're most comfortable with.
3. Mask policy
Wearing masks in the workplace, in public or in schools has become controversial. If a colleague isn't wearing a mask, try not to single them out, but instead focus on the local or workplace requirements that mandate mask-wearing.
4. Vaccine questions
Asking a fellow colleague whether they are vaccinated isn't a violation of HIPAA, but the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits managers from disclosing individual employee names. For clarity of purpose, human resource managers should be the people who generally look into and discuss vaccination with employees.
5. Happy hour issues
Discuss the logistics of socializing outside of work with the team and ensure that everyone has the choice to participate in an activity that will make everyone feel comfortable. Anonymous surveys are a good way to collect this information. If socializing is difficult for you, just admit to your colleagues that you're a little rusty. People generally appreciate honesty.