Until the pandemic, we would regularly eat lunch together somewhere. For years, this was a standard routine in my life. It was a perfect way to get a feeling what others were doing, what the problems were, how the general mood in the team was, what was going on in their lives. I invited everyone to my wedding during lunch. I told them I was becoming a father during lunch. 2 people told us they were leaving during lunch.
In the beginning of the pandemic, we even switched to cooking at the office kitchen. Now there are only 2 people left on the floor, and eating lunch has stopped completely. Most of my colleagues I only see 1 or 2 times a year (Christmas party and work stuff that requires physical attention).
I noticed that it is much harder now for people to integrate when they are new. There is no real forum left for beginners to ask dumb questions they would rather not see in some chat log.
> There is no real forum left for beginners to ask dumb questions they would rather not see in some chat log.
this is a key point; employees who have been together a long time can easily switch over to maintaining that same level of connection while WFH (I've experienced that). But it's very hard for a "new guy" to integrate if s/he has never interacted, or only occasionally, with their coworkers in person.
There is nuance to this as well. The company size and culture make a dramatic impact. I recently joined a small company which is fully remote. Everyone has been helpful and supportive as I have been onboarding.
In the beginning of the pandemic, we even switched to cooking at the office kitchen. Now there are only 2 people left on the floor, and eating lunch has stopped completely. Most of my colleagues I only see 1 or 2 times a year (Christmas party and work stuff that requires physical attention).
I noticed that it is much harder now for people to integrate when they are new. There is no real forum left for beginners to ask dumb questions they would rather not see in some chat log.