The days of a worker spending their entire career at one company are long gone. Now, many people change jobs every few years or even months. 

According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), baby boomers born between 1957 and 1964 had an average of 12.4 jobs between 18 to 54 years of age. This means that workplace socialization is more important than ever, as it can help employees feel better about their work environment and build lasting relationships that transcend job titles.

The Growing Workplace Stress

Stress is a normal and healthy response to an external stimulus. It can be positive or negative, short-term or long-term. Stress can be caused by anything from an exam to a relationship breakdown.

However, the stress in the workplace is constantly growing. According to a recent Gallup report, 44% of American and Canadian workers feel stressed. 

Stress in the workplace is a common issue. It can be caused by various factors, such as heavy workloads, tight deadlines, micromanaging, conflicting demands, lack of control and support, and organizational changes.

It is essential to adopt healthy coping strategies, maintain a healthy work-life balance, communicate effectively with coworkers and superiors, and seek support from colleagues and mental health resources to manage stress in the workplace. One of the best options that can help mitigate workplace stress is socializing among employees.

Why Should Leaders Encourage Workplace Socializing?

There are many reasons why leaders should encourage workplace socializing.

• It's good for the physical and mental health of employees.
• It can help employees bond with each other, which makes them more productive as a group.
• It can also help employees bond with the company and its mission, increasing loyalty and commitment to their jobs. In addition, this will make it more likely that they'll stay at your organization instead of leaving for another one where there isn't any office mingling.
  
  

Besides, workplace socializing is also crucial for lasting relationships. According to a Forbes article, when asked what they will miss after leaving their current company, 90% of the people said coworkers. This means that workplace socializing can help build strong bonds among coworkers even after job changes. This can lead to a vast network in the future.

Ways to Encourage Workplace Socializing

There are many ways to encourage workplace socializing and reap the benefits it can have on your employees. Here are some simple steps you can take.

After Work Happy Hour

Finding time for socializing in a workplace where people are busy, stressed, and working long hours can be challenging. After work, happy hour allows workers to gather in a relaxed setting outside of work where they can enjoy each other's company and connect with colleagues they may not typically interact with daily.

Socializing at work functions is also essential because it helps create cohesion within teams or departments by allowing employees who aren't working directly together to get to know one another better. This helps promote productivity among coworkers who might otherwise be unfamiliar with one another's strengths and weaknesses outside their specific roles in the company structure.

There's not even a need to step outside the office. Employers can simply plan a happy hour within the office. They can allow some drinks and beverages for the day and also have some food. There are many happy hour catering service providers to help employers with that.

These happy hour catering providers can make the event more blissful with mouth-watering dishes. Employers can also ask them to prepare custom dishes based on the workers' preferences. If not, the service providers usually have standard dishes that everyone can enjoy.

Weekend Barbecue

Here are some tips for hosting a successful office barbecue:

• Let people know about the event well in advance so they can plan their schedules accordingly.
• Make sure there is enough food and drink to go around. Ensure enough buns and condiments if you're serving burgers and hot dogs. Don't forget drinks; water bottles are always appreciated at outdoor events like this one. You may also want to include some nonalcoholic beverages for those who don't drink alcohol or simply prefer not to on a given day.
• Provide space for people to sit down during their meal breaks. You might have brought folding chairs from home or purchased cheap plastic ones from Walmart. Whatever works best for your situation will work great here. You could even set up tables indoors near the kitchen area if necessary. However, if possible, try not to do this unless required due to safety concerns with having too many electrical appliances near each other simultaneously.
  
  

Barbecue sessions can bring employees together and create an environment everyone can enjoy. This can be helpful for team bonding. According to a survey from the American Survey Center, 62% of workers feel satisfied with their work because of cordial relations with coworkers.

Family Sporting Event

If you're looking for an opportunity to get your coworkers together, a family sporting event can be a great way to do so. This can be a work-related event or something that happens naturally because the people you work with are also parents and therefore have children who play sports.

It doesn't matter what sport or level of skill your child is playing. If they are involved in any type of team sport or activity, their teammates will likely include other kids from school and even some who aren't students. 

When these teams meet up with each other outside of school hours, it's easy for parents who work together to talk about their jobs while watching their kids play together on the field, making workplace socializing that much easier.

Corporate Team Building Organizing activities like axe throwing can help improve employee morale, foster collaboration, and build trust within an organization, resulting in higher productivity. By engaging in activities together, your employees will learn to communicate more effectively, build relationships with their colleagues, and share ideas more effectively. Activities can also help your employees develop strategic planning and problem-solving skills and strengthen their sense of unity.

Short Breaks During Work Hours

One of the most effective ways to encourage workplace socializing is through short breaks during the day. These breaks don't have to be long, just enough time for everyone in your office to get up from their desks and talk with each other.

If you're worried about productivity loss due to these breaks, consider implementing a policy where employees are allowed one 20-minute break per eight-hour shift. This way, it won't feel like an interruption for those who want more than five minutes of relaxation.

Conclusion

It's important to remember that socializing doesn't have to be a big deal. In fact, it can be as simple as having coffee with a colleague or planning a happy hour after work. The key here is just getting people together, so they feel more connected and enjoy each other's company regularly.