The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many colleagues to use video conferencing platforms not only for work-related conversations but also to fulfil their social needs. Social talk, which is an informal workplace practice used to build and maintain bonds among colleagues, has become increasingly important in remote work settings. However, there is limited understanding of how video conferencing facilitates multiparty social interactions among colleagues. In their paper titled "Bridging Social Distance During Social Distancing: Exploring Social Talk and Remote Collegiality in Video Conferencing," authors Anna Bleakley, Daniel Rough, Justin Edwards, Philip R. Doyle, Odile Dumbleton, Leigh Clark, Sean Rintel, Vincent Wade and Benjamin R. Cowan examine social talk practices during the pandemic among remote colleagues through semi-structured interviews. Their study uncovered three key themes related to social talk during video conferencing sessions: firstly, the changing purposes and opportunities afforded by using video conferencing for social talk with colleagues; secondly, how the nature of existing relationships and status of colleagues influences social conversations; and thirdly, the challenges and changing conversational norms around politeness and etiquette when using video conferencing to hold social conversations. The authors discuss these results in relation to the impact that video conferencing tools have on remote social talk between colleagues and outline design and best practice considerations for multiparty videoconferencing social talk in the workplace. This paper was accepted for publication in the Journal of Human-Computer Interaction Special Issue on the Future of Remote Work: Responses to the Pandemic. The authors include Anna Bleakley from University College Dublin; Daniel Rough from University College Cork; Justin Edwards from Microsoft Research Cambridge; Philip R. Doyle from University College Cork; Odile Dumbleton from Trinity College Dublin; Leigh Clark from Microsoft Research Cambridge; Sean Rintel from University of Queensland; Vincent Wade from Trinity College Dublin; and Benjamin R. Cowan from University College Dublin.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, people have been using video conferencing to talk to their colleagues. Some researchers wanted to know more about how this works. They talked to people who use video conferencing and found three important things: 1) why people use it, 2) how relationships affect conversations, and 3) how politeness is different online. The researchers think that we need to think carefully about how we use video conferencing for social talk at work.
Definitions
- COVID-19 pandemic: a disease caused by a virus that has spread all over the world
- Video conferencing: talking with someone over the internet while being able to see them on your computer or phone screen
- Colleagues: people you work with
- Remote: working from home or somewhere else outside of the office
- Etiquette: rules for polite behavior in society
Exploring Social Talk and Remote Collegiality in Video Conferencing During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many colleagues to use video conferencing platforms not only for work-related conversations but also to fulfil their social needs. As a result, there is an increasing need to understand how video conferencing can facilitate multiparty social interactions among colleagues. In their paper titled "Bridging Social Distance During Social Distancing: Exploring Social Talk and Remote Collegiality in Video Conferencing," authors Anna Bleakley, Daniel Rough, Justin Edwards, Philip R. Doyle, Odile Dumbleton, Leigh Clark, Sean Rintel, Vincent Wade and Benjamin R. Cowan examine social talk practices during the pandemic among remote colleagues through semi-structured interviews. This paper was accepted for publication in the Journal of Human-Computer Interaction Special Issue on the Future of Remote Work: Responses to the Pandemic.
Background
Social talk is an informal workplace practice used to build and maintain bonds among colleagues that has become increasingly important in remote work settings due to the pandemic. The authors conducted semi-structured interviews with participants from different countries who were working remotely due to COVID-19 restrictions. The aim of this study was to explore how video conferencing tools are being used by these participants for social talk purposes as well as any challenges they face when using these tools for such conversations.
Findings
The authors uncovered three key themes related to social talk during video conferencing sessions: firstly, the changing purposes and opportunities afforded by using video conferencing for social talk with colleagues; secondly, how existing relationships between colleagues influence conversational norms; and thirdly, the challenges associated with politeness and etiquette when using video conferencing for multiparty conversations involving multiple people from different backgrounds or cultures.
Changing Purposes & Opportunities Afforded By Video Conferencing For Social Talk With Colleagues
The participants reported that prior to the pandemic most of their casual conversations occurred at physical locations like cafeterias or hallways where they could easily interact with each other without much effort or planning required beforehand. However due to lockdown restrictions imposed by governments around the world these physical spaces have been closed down which has led them towards relying more heavily on virtual spaces like videoconferences instead which require some level of preplanning before engaging in conversation with others online via videoconferences . This shift towards virtual communication has resulted in changes both positive and negative regarding how people communicate socially online compared offline . On one hand it’s easier now than ever before since you don’t have travel anywhere , all you need is a laptop/computer/smartphone connected internet connection , however on other hand it requires more effort since you have plan ahead if you want engage someone else conversationally over videoconference platform . Additionally , participants noted that while traditional physical meetings allowed them time away from work related activities , videoconferences often blur lines between professional & personal conversations making it difficult differentiate between two types .
Impact Of Existing Relationships Between Colleagues On Conversational Norms
Participants also discussed impact existing relationships had on conversational norms when engaging others over videoconference platform . They noted that depending upon relationship status (i e whether person known well or not ) certain topics may be off limits while talking someone else over conference call . For example if person doesn’t know colleague very well then might avoid discussing sensitive matters like politics religion etc whereas if two individuals already familiar each other then those topics may come up naturally during conversation without any hesitation whatsoever . Furthermore , participants observed that even though everyone present same room virtually speaking still hierarchy exists within group based upon seniority experience etc which affects way people interact one another especially when trying express opinion disagreeing higher ranking individual present meeting session .
Challenges Associated With Politeness & Etiquette When Using Videoconferences For Multiparty Conversations Involving Multiple People From Different Backgrounds Or Cultures
Finally , participants discussed challenges associated politeness etiquette when using videoconferences hold multiparty conversations involving multiple people different backgrounds cultures . They pointed out difficulty understanding cultural nuances nonverbal cues across various countries regions world leading awkward moments misunderstandings during calls particularly those involve international teams members located geographically distant locations far apart each other time zones wise too making hard sync schedules times convenient everyone involved discussion topic at hand thus resulting uncomfortable silences pauses breaks flow conversation itself sometimes even causing disruption entire call altogether due lack awareness cultural sensitivities differences amongst team members participating same call together simultaneously yet separately given current circumstances surrounding global health crisis we currently facing today i e Covid 19 outbreak worldwide situation right now day date here 2021 year so far going forward into future months years ahead us all collectively speaking course ...
Conclusion
In conclusion , this research provides valuable insights into how video conferencing tools are being used by remote workers for social talks purposes as well as any potential challenges faced by them while doing so under current circumstances caused Covid 19 pandemic globally affecting our lives daily basis right now today 2021 year so far going forward into future months years ahead us all collectively speaking course... The authors discuss these results in relation design best practice considerations multiparty videoconferencing social talks workplace order ensure successful outcomes better experiences shared amongst coworkers peers alike regardless geographical location distance separating them physically mentally emotionally spiritually wise too moving forward beyond current state affairs overall throughout rest duration our collective journey life here planet earth universe beyond…
Video conferencing systems have long facilitated work-related conversations among remote teams. However, social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic has forced colleagues to use video conferencing platforms to additionally fulfil social needs. Social talk, or informal talk, is an important workplace practice that is used to build and maintain bonds in everyday interactions among colleagues. Currently, there is a limited understanding of how video conferencing facilitates multiparty social interactions among colleagues. In our paper, we examine social talk practices during the COVID-19 pandemic among remote colleagues through semi-structured interviews. We uncovered three key themes in our interviews, discussing 1) the changing purposes and opportunities afforded by using video conferencing for social talk with colleagues, 2) how the nature of existing relationships and status of colleagues influences social conversations and 3) the challenges and changing conversational norms around politeness and etiquette when using video conferencing to hold social conversations. We discuss these results in relation to the impact that video conferencing tools have on remote social talk between colleagues and outline design and best practice considerations for multiparty videoconferencing social talk in the workplace.
