{"id":936405,"date":"2023-06-26T17:03:09","date_gmt":"2023-06-26T17:03:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ouraring.wpengine.com\/?p=936405"},"modified":"2023-07-08T20:54:36","modified_gmt":"2023-07-08T20:54:36","slug":"introducing-oura-for-slack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ouraring.wpengine.com\/introducing-oura-for-slack\/","title":{"rendered":"Introducing Oura for Slack"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dear Community,<\/span><\/p>\n

We recently introduced a new optional feature, \u201cOura for Slack,\u201d aimed at fostering deeper human connection and empathy amidst the remote work environment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The response was mixed: while we saw encouraging feedback from some members, we also heard concerns from others. Some of our community voiced apprehensions that this feature might inadvertently lead to employee discomfort or a blurring of the lines between professional and personal lives, despite the voluntary, opt-in nature of the feature.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In light of the feedback received, it\u2019s clear we didn\u2019t quite hit the mark on delivering the value our members anticipate from us. We deeply value your input; it is through this feedback that we continuously improve and refine our offerings. Therefore, after careful consideration, <\/span>we\u2019ve decided to discontinue our integration with Slack.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Our primary aim is to create tools that empower our members to lead healthier lives, and to do so in a way that’s directly in line with one of our foundational core values of data privacy. We will never share your data without your explicit consent\u2014ever. We\u2019re committed to maintaining the highest standards in all we do, and continual feedback is invaluable to us in achieving that goal.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Thank you for your understanding and your ongoing support.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

-The Oura team<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

A sense of community at work is essential for individual and collective success. Recent <\/span>research<\/span><\/a> is shedding light on the vital significance of community and the deep-rooted need for a genuine sense of belonging. Startling <\/span>reports<\/span><\/a> are also drawing attention to a modern epidemic of loneliness, one only exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If the <\/span>majority of our waking hours<\/span><\/a> are devoted to work \u2014 of which many of us now spend working remotely \u2014 is there a way to forge more resilient and healthier communities within our workplaces?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One method involves connecting with colleagues within your organization, which has been <\/span>linked<\/span><\/a> to wellbeing and performance. <\/span>Similarly<\/span><\/a>, the positive impact of workplace communities on employee health and overall happiness emphasizes the importance of social connections in creating a healthy and thriving work environment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

These insights are backed by <\/span>research<\/span><\/a> that found when workers felt a sense of community at their job, they were 58% more likely to thrive at work, 55% more engaged, and 66% more likely to stay with their organization. <\/span>Thought leaders<\/span><\/a> also advocate that cultivating a sense of community in the workplace leads to greater employee retention and a more vibrant organizational culture.<\/span><\/p>\n

Build Community with Coworkers with Oura\u2019s Optional Slack Integration<\/strong><\/h2>\n

For those who choose to opt in, <\/span>Oura’s new integration with Slack enables Oura members to voluntarily synchronize their daily Slack status with their Oura Readiness and Sleep Scores. When members make the choice to use this feature and take the steps to link their Oura scores to their Slack account, it can provide a unique way for remote and hybrid colleagues and Oura members to check in and connect with each other. Colleagues can also choose to hide their Oura score on any given day. There’s also an option to share both Readiness and Sleep Scores, or only your Readiness category.<\/span><\/p>\n

In increasingly remote and hybrid work environments, <\/span>Oura for Slack<\/span> encourages coworkers to communicate with empathy and build a culture that is more connected, supportive, and engaged.<\/span><\/p>\n

READ MORE: <\/span><\/i>Introducing Oura Circles<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

\u014cURA & Slack<\/strong><\/h2>\n

During a small pilot study, members using <\/span>Oura for Slack<\/span> within a work setting expressed that it helped foster compassion for co-workers, creating human connection across time zones in a remote work setting. One pilot participant shared, “I can see when my teammates aren’t feeling their best and encourage rest, or delay meetings for when they are more ready.”\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Throughout the<\/span> Oura for Slack<\/span> pilot, safe spaces among colleagues emerged in which personal challenges such as caring for a sick family member during the night, coping with a demanding marathon training schedule, or dealing with work-related stress were shared in the context of Oura Readiness and Sleep Scores. For coworkers who may communicate and meet during the workday but may not engage with each other personally, Oura\u2019s Slack integration was a helpful conversation starter in small group settings.<\/span><\/p>\n

Findings from the pilot include:<\/span><\/p>\n