Over half of employees have suffered a tech slip up over the past few months
As the old adage goes, to err is human. Making embarrassing mistakes is part and parcel of everyday life – it’s also, according to a new report, a great way of building morale in the workplace. A recent survey from Robert Half, in light of Award Moments Day, found that over half of employees have suffered embarrassing tech slip-ups in remote work.
The data, sourced from LinkedIn, found that 57% of employees and managers have had a digital disaster in the last year, with 23% having forgotten to turn off their camera or microphone, 11% messaging the wrong work colleagues, and nine percent accidentally screen sharing private information. And while it might be mortifying for HR leaders, making embarrassing slip ups in front of their teams, it’s actually something that really brings everyone together – and only enhancing a company’s culture.
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“Everyone experiences the occasional awkward moment at work – whether remote or in person – and it’s usually not a career derailer,” Michael French, national director for Robert Half Canada, told HRD. “Often, the best thing to do when you slip up is acknowledge the situation, learn from it, and try to find some humour in it. In fact, there is a silver lining when it comes to awkward moments at work: They tend to be small mishaps we all understand, relate to and bond over. That shared realization can help create a sense of team comradery, especially when working remotely.”
Throughout the pandemic, HR leaders have struggled to upkeep company culture in a remote working environment. Where once employers could rely on ping pong tables, beers on Fridays and company away days, they’ve been forced to reconsider what an authentic culture looks like. Team building is essential – especially in rapidly growing companies that are onboarding people in hybrid models. Instead of baulking at your team’s mistakes – help them to see the funny side and bring them together.
However, that’s not to say that you should go looking for embarrassing slip ups – and if they continue to happen, maybe try calming down a little.
“Most awkward moments when working remotely can be avoided simply by slowing down,” added French. “When we feel rushed, we’re more likely to forget to turn on our mic or share the wrong screen. But when they inevitably happen to someone – including when a pet or family member making a guest appearance on a video call – show empathy and compassion and consider jumping in to help if possible. For example, send a discreet IM to let them know their mic is off, or momentarily take over if they’re suffering a technical setback during a presentation. Awkward moments, when handled appropriately, can bring colleagues together and boost morale, as they provide opportunities to laugh over our challenges and move on together just as quickly.”
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