Here’s How Your Relationship With Your Boss Has Changed While Working From Home
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Even if you and your boss were the best of pals before the pandemic hit, working from home would have impacted the way you communicate with one another. You and your boss are probably pretty tight when it comes to getting work done. Considering you have to work together, you know each other’s routines by heart. However, lockdown can send these routines into a state of chaos. We might find ourselves overly stressed or unable to sleep and this can lead to some often frustrating thoughts. Seeing your boss around is something you’re extremely used to and video calls just don’t feel the same, right? So here are a few changes you’ve probably noted between your relationship with your office and boss/manager.
- Almost All Conversations Now Are Work-Related
It’s totally natural to cut the small talk and want to get to work, however, you shouldn’t forget to greet each other or drop a simple high before beginning your workday. Sure, it can get frustrating constantly talking about work and if it gets too much for you, you can let your boss know of the same. You might feel like earlier you and your boss spoke about things other than work like your favorite food or similar tastes in music and now you’re probably just frustrated because things have changed. Make it a point to have one non-work-related phone call in a week during this time.
- You Miss Being Physically Present In Office
We all miss chilling at our office desks and having a constant supply of coffee. The best part about the office was that everyone was congregated in one area and you don’t have to move around too much to get the job done. Being around one another also meant fewer video calls and more face to face interaction. Your boss would just need to tap on your shoulder twice to get your attention versus calling your cell phone 3 times. No matter how modern we are, virtual communication just never feels the same as face to face communication.
- Work Starts To Become Your Main Focus
If you want to save yourself from becoming #boredinthehouseandiminthehousebored, you have to work to pay your bills. You’ll slowly start to notice that it gets easier and easier to focus on work when you’re alone in a room rather than being surrounded by colleagues at work. However, this is a gradual process and won’t happen in just one month of self-isolation. You probably stopped taking as many offs and leaves since it doesn’t make much of a difference these days.
- You Start To Bond With Colleagues Over Video Calls
You’ll steadily start to notice an improvement in the bond you share with your colleagues. You might even find yourself making friends with someone you were unaware of while you were physically present at the office. They could even be from a different department than yours. Having a weekly video call bonding session with your teammates is actually a fun idea to get back into the routine at work that you shared previously. Maybe you guys can get on a group chat and exchange recipes or bond over other fun hobbies you might have in common.
- You Adopt A No-Nonsense Attitude
“No more Mr. Nice Guy”, if this is a dialogue you can relate to, then you’ve probably reached a stage during the lockdown where you just want to get things done and log out for the day. This usually happens because of a stressful week or simply because you just need a breather. You might find yourself snapping at your colleagues or being very impatient with them when it comes to completing certain tasks on time. This is totally normal but be careful not to hurt anybody’s feelings and take a break if you feel like you’re over-stressed.
- You Start Getting Comfortable
Eventually, you grow more used to working from home and start to dread the day you have to return to the office. Well, fret not. Once you get back into your routine everything will get better. After all, you and your team have so much to catch up on. But while you’re still working from home, enjoy it while it lasts. The best part about working from home is that none of your colleagues get to judge you for eating a bowl of ice cream for lunch (jk).
Sure, shifting to a remote working setup can be daunting at times. Many of us have to face issues like electricity cuts, slow internet, personal, and even emotional and mental problems during this time. It’s okay to feel low about having to switch up your routine but if you notice that you’re getting a little too affected by the shift, consider talking to a therapist or someone else who might help ease your situation. Do let us know your thoughts on this article in the comment section below.
