Work/Life Comes Home
For many offices, the University's transition online made real person-to-person engagement more difficult. Interactive workshops online aren't the same when half the participants turn their cameras off and attendees don't get to meet each other. And evening receptions without cocktails and finger foods just don't hold the same draw.
But while some found that the loss of in-person interaction triggered a drop-off in engagement, the Office of Work/Life has found that the online format has helped them reach new audiences: faculty and staff whose schedules or locations prevented them from making it to an on-campus workshop, as well as members of the community who are reticent to go to live events which might feel too personal. "Since I first started at Columbia, I have thought it was important to create a video archive for faculty and staff who are unable to attend events in person or might want to watch something on their own time," said Amy Rabinowitz, Associate Provost and Director of Work/Life. “We have used this period when people have been working remotely to build a tremendous library.”
The majority of the team's events are now available on-demand in two growing video libraries: one library, which requires users log in with their uni, includes well-being events. These range from active classes, like yoga, to workshops on how to set up an ergonomic work station at home. The second library is a compilation of other Work/Life workshops and includes all sessions held in the past two years. It covers issues as diverse as parenting and schooling issues (especially in COVID-times), as well as housing issues, elder care dilemmas, and the always-popular “Cut the Clutter and Get Organized” workshop.
The well-being programming has become especially popular. The Wednesday Take a Break: Stretch and Reset, developed for quarantine life, has built a loyal following since it launched last year. (If you’d like to join the group, you can register anytime.)
“One of the biggest surprises,” said Daniela Elazari, Director of Well-Being, “is how consistently participants show up.”
When considering why people are more receptive to this programming, Daniela said that a sense of community during an isolating time was a big draw. And for some, the option of anonymity through Zoom is an added bonus, particularly for yoga classes. Many new yoga regulars tell Daniela that they were hesitant to attend an in-person yoga class where they might run into colleagues. Now, said Daniela, shyer participants feel more comfortable showing up with the option to turn their cameras off.
But no matter how popular the online workshops and classes have been, Amy is quick to note that these will never substitute for the on-campus experience.
"For some of the things we do, it is important to have people meet each other in person and share," she said.
As soon as it is safe and viable, the Office of Work/Life is looking forward to reinstating face-to-face events where people can meet, chat, and build community, while also developing new programming options informed by what they learned during quarantine. At the same time, those who either prefer anonymity or who just can't get away from their desk to make a workshop will continue to enjoy the ever-growing video libraries of Work/Life events.