otherwise-banal office socialising

[Maybo]

In March, a viral Twitter thread exposed its prevalence. Well after leaving a job, people shared that anything from retracing their old commute to otherwise-banal office socialising might induce chest pains, muscle spasms and more. (Why long-term workplace trauma is a real phenomenon by Lexi McMenamin)

Does "otherwise-banal office socialising" mean the office socialising is just banal and no more than that?

 

[jutfrank]

It means that this kind of socialising would normally (if it were not associated with trauma) be considered banal.

otherwise means something like 'under other circumstances'.