Social Facilitation and Remote Work

Two weeks before the first lockdown in New Zealand was announced, I started a new job.

Initially, one of my reservations was that the company was based in Wellington. I would be joining the three other team members that worked remotely from Auckland, Christchurch and Melbourne.

My concern was that I would struggle to get work done without the necessary social facilitation that I believed comes with working in an office environment.

After a year of working remotely, I’ve realised that social facilitation extends beyond the physical. Being in the same room or building is not necessary to motivate people to do their work. And depending on how you function, it may actually hinder your work.

One of the things I have noticed on the days I have spent in a co-working space is that I am incredibly distracted being around others. Overhearing conversations, or feeling uncomfortable about the social ambiguities of office etiquette can pull my attention away from the task at hand and break my focus.

There may be value in the social cohesion that comes with a shared workspace. But I am not yet convinced it’s the only way for people to work productively. Nor is it necessary for people to find enjoyment in their work and form good relationships with the people they work with.