Remote work environments are becoming more and more accepted as the standard for many companies. The global pandemic has definitely played a role in shifting work-from-home arrangements from a perk reserved for many forward-thinking and lean organizations to the expected norm for many businesses. It’s been almost a year since some WFH policies have been instituted due to the impacts of COVID-19, and companies are coming to the realization that remote work may be here to stay.
While remote work privileges may be a great perk for employees, good leaders know that perks alone aren’t enough to keep employees engaged and performing at their best. Disengaged and unhappy employees can result in high turnover, loss of productivity, and a drain on company resources. So how can employers keep their teams engaged? Here are a few tips:
Stay connected
Not having employees physically present in the office means that there are no longer opportunities for random office drop-ins or water cooler conversations. Check in with your team frequently and regularly and take advantage of the different communication tools that are at your disposal. It is easy for employees working remotely to feel disconnected and isolated. Encourage collaboration and make sure teammates continue to communicate with each other. Weekly or daily team check-ins or huddles can be a quick and easy way for the team to stay current with each others’ activities at work.
Trust your employees
No employee wants to be micromanaged – especially a remote employee. Give your team the freedom and flexibility to manage their own work (within reason, of course) and don’t dictate how they should be spending their time. If you have employees who find themselves having to tend to family or other urgent issues throughout the day, giving them space and trusting them to get the job done will go very far in improving and maintaining their engagement. If the work allows for it, giving employees the freedom to work the hours that are most convenient for them can be a huge benefit.
Be open to (and encourage) feedback
Be available for your team and make sure they know that it is okay to reach out with questions, concerns, or feedback. But don’t stop there – show your employees that you care and take the opportunity to act on their feedback when possible.
Show your appreciation
Don’t forget to recognize the efforts of your team. This is a stressful time for everyone and even small gestures can go a long way. Highlight the accomplishments of your team in a company-wide bulletin, and share successes with the group. A gift certificate for a food delivery service is a great way to let the team know they are doing a good job. Virtual team meetings and the occasional happy hour won’t hurt either, and can be a fun way for your team to enjoy some non-working time together.
Employees are arguably a company’s most valuable asset, and it should be in every organization’s best interests to keep their teams engaged and happy at work.
