The Key to Keeping Your Remote Employees Engaged
Due to COVID-19, the portion of employees in the United States that were working remotely five days a week rose from 17 percent to 44 percent. While the pandemic is calming, both companies and professionals now have a solid grasp on the benefits of telecommuting. As a result, many professionals will continue to work from home, at least part of the time, for the foreseeable future.
Generally, working remotely is associated with productivity gains. However, engagement can be trickier to manage, particularly as work-from-home fatigue begins to set in with many. Luckily, it is possible for companies to improve employee engagement, ensuring that every worker remains motivated and productive.
If you are wondering how you can keep your remote employees engaged, here are some tips.
Implement the Right Solutions
Remote work relies heavily on technology. Along with productivity-oriented software, companies need to implement additional solutions to streamline workdays while supporting security goals.
First, it’s crucial to have the right communication tools and collaboration solutions. Often, email and phones aren’t enough to keep information flowing smoothly. Instead, it’s wise to add extra avenues, such as chat software with file-sharing as well as a video conferencing solution. That way, everyone can reach on when the need arises, ensuring silos don’t develop.
Second, make sure you implement cybersecurity measures that protect company data and systems. Focus on robust, capable solutions that are simple to use. This ensures that everyone can easily use the solutions properly, reducing frustration while keeping everything secure.
Communicate Early and Often
When your team is working remotely, certain communication opportunities don’t arise organically. You can’t simply stop by an employee’s desk to share a helpful tidbit or conduct a quick check-in. Instead, you have to be more proactive.
Ideally, managers should focus on touching base regularly, even if there isn’t any sign of difficulties. This approach creates opportunities to assess progress and identify roadblocks or challenges faster while also giving the employee a platform to express concerns and get feedback.
Additionally, if management knows a change is on the horizon, they should discuss it as early as possible. With a remote team, coordinating a major shift in procedure or implementing new approaches can be harder. By reaching out sooner, you give your team as much time as you can to adapt.
Make Room for Socializing
Socializing is essential for bonding and relationship-building. While opportunities for casual conversation regularly arise when everyone is in the office together, that isn’t the case when your team is remote. As a result, you need to create those opportunities intentionally to ensure socializing can occur.
Hosting a weekly video chat specifically for catching up can be a great option. It lets everyone see each other and have relaxed conversations, ensuring bonds stay strong.
You can also have chat channels dedicated to socializing. It can similarly be wise to create policies that give employees permission to use certain company resources for casual conversations, ensuring they understand that doing so is an option that is encouraged by management.
Embrace and Promote Gratitude
Recognition is crucial for engagement. Make sure that you carve out time to express your gratitude to your team, both one-on-one and in a group. Acknowledge accomplishments along with daily efforts, particularly during challenging periods. Offer specific praise, outlining precisely why you are offering your thanks.
It’s also wise to create places where your team can share kudos. Encourage them to thank each other, both privately and publicly. That way, gratitude becomes part of your overall culture, allowing recognition to become a habit.
Ultimately, all of the tips above can help you keep remote employees engaged. If you’d like to learn more, contact On Cue Hire today.
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