Workplace

Employees who socialize together also tend to work better together, said Kristina Shevory in The New York Times. A recent study by Towers Perrin suggests that companies’ operating margins went up as much as 4 percent over three years when company employees felt supported and involved. That’s why some corporations underwrite employee social clubs. “Google, for example, backs everything from jugglers to Ultimate Frisbee to gay employee clubs.” Boeing supports more than 100 social clubs, for avocations from rubber-stamp collecting to winemaking. “Workplace specialists say clubs are a way to build camaraderie and help people get to know fellow employees away from work.” For the company, that translates to lower turnover and higher productivity.

Not all employees feel like being quite so friendly, of course, said Lily Garcia in The Washington Post. “I know the dread of having to mingle at social gatherings and the awkwardness of making small talk with a virtual stranger.” Don’t try to fake your way through conversations just to be social. If the company softball league or square dancing club doesn’t interest you, come up with social events that are more your style.

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