Pyn compiled this list of icebreaker games that can be done virtually-along with instructions on how to play them-from sources across the web. Psychologist Anton Villado outlines three main purposes to effective icebreakers: They decrease anxiety within the group, allow the facilitator to model expected behavior or set the tone for a meeting, and encourage individuals to open up and share about themselves. Icebreaker games are one way to foster relationships among virtual co-workers. With more employees teleworking, employers must consider how to keep staff engaged and prevent feelings of isolation. The Pew Research Center reported in February 2022 that the majority of workers whose jobs can be done remotely are choosing to continue teleworking even as offices reopen. This is an uptick from pre-pandemic numbers, as nearly 1 in 3 employers increased telework during the pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the way work is conducted across the U.S. A little more than a third of jobs involve teleworking at least part-time, according to a March 2022 survey from the U.S.