Reimagining workplace connection: Beyond the Friday drink

Reimagining workplace connection is an ongoing process, but it’s one that pays dividends in engagement, wellbeing, and retention, writes Brad Krauskopf.

Hub Australia’s Love Where You Work Report reveals a clear shift in how Australians want to connect at work. According to the report, only three per cent of employees participate in weekly Friday work drinks, while one in five never attends at all. Instead, 87 per cent spend more of their social time with friends and family outside of work than with colleagues.

This shift is being shaped by several forces: the rise of hybrid working in a post-pandemic environment, changing lifestyle priorities, and a generational move away from alcohol-led socialising. Together, they’ve reshaped what “connection” looks like and what employees expect from their workplace culture.

For HR professionals, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Traditional, one-size-fits-all social activities no longer resonate. Employees are looking for meaningful ways to connect and build relationships at work.

Here are practical ways HR leaders can achieve just that:

Ask employees what they actually want

Run short pulse checks or anonymous surveys to understand what types of activities resonate. Let employees co-create the social calendar so initiatives feel relevant, not prescriptive.

Diversify social events beyond alcohol

Introduce options like workshops, wellness sessions, team fitness challenges, or creative classes. These formats cater to different personalities and life stages.

Make space for purpose-driven connection

Charity events, volunteering days, or community partnerships allow teams to bond over impact – something nearly one-third of employees prefer.

Build in flexibility

Offer lunchtime or mid-week sessions, hybrid-friendly events, or repeat activities at different times so people with varied schedules still feel included.

Prioritise work-life balance as a part of the culture

Connection shouldn’t mean sacrificing personal time. Encourage boundaries and avoid scheduling social activities outside work hours unless employees specifically request it.

Reimagining workplace connection is an ongoing process, but it’s one that pays dividends in engagement, wellbeing, and retention. By embracing new approaches, HR leaders can help their organisations cultivate authentic, inclusive cultures where people genuinely want to belong.

Brad Krauskopf is the founder and chief executive of Hub Australia.