Companies worldwide turn to virtual water coolers because of the positive impact of casual conversation on remote teams. Building and maintaining engagement should be a priority for all employees, but it becomes especially important in remote environments. Here are three very important benefits that come with the adoption of a virtual water cooler. Virtual water coolers build a sense of camaraderie Building trust and camaraderie in virtual teams can be challenging because of the lack of casual in-person interactions. Teams will often only interact to discuss issues strictly related to work. Virtual water coolers bring teams closer together and increase trust between team members. During water cooler conversations, employees can focus on other topics, discussing their interests and passions. They may even share stories and challenges from their personal lives and look for support from their team members. This kind of personal bonding forms workplace friendships. These friendships can significantly boost employee satisfaction and retention: 57% of people confirm that having a best friend at work makes work more enjoyable. Virtual water coolers help employees stay productive Water cooler conversations and activities are a break from work. These small breaks improve employee focus, stamina, and productivity throughout the day, and can have a strong effect on employee wellbeing. Sitting at your desk for long hours can strain your body and brain. And when you’re not in the office, you probably don’t get up as much, as a Slack message easily substitutes a stroll to a colleague’s desk. That stillness can increase fatigue and lack of concentration and hurt your productivity. A five-minute microbreak enhances focus, innovation, and energy levels. You could chat with a colleague, stretch your legs, take a glass of water, pet your cat or dog, or text a friend. This downtime is essential for your brain to regain its creativity. Companies promote these microbreaks by encouraging teams to have virtual water cooler conversations. Even non-work conversations can impact productivity. Chatting about personal matters may create cross-team bonds, improve teamwork, or even prompt employees to set up a brainstorming session to find new ways to work together or discuss an idea that popped up during a casual conversation. Virtual water coolers enhance employee happiness and retention Employees who can build meaningful relationships at work are happier and stick around at their company longer. Studies confirm that interaction with coworkers is critical in employee engagement and happiness. Work happiness matters to employees, sometimes even more than salary. Companies with happy employees experience lower absenteeism rates and higher employee retention rates. And since an employee’s mood impacts how they interact with customers and colleagues, you may see a positive trend in customer retention and even higher company profitability. A Gallup study also found that companies could experience fewer workplace incidents and more satisfied customers when employees nurture friendships and feel engaged at work.