Remote work is a practice in the corporate landscape even before the pandemic. Some companies have been offering this alternative work method to some employees for a more flexible lifestyle. However, the current threat of the pandemic has urged almost all companies to transition.
While it is presently seen as a necessity to continue business operations, remote work is here to stay with or without the pandemic. Organizations are always looking for new ways to adjust to the new norm. However, admittedly, this setup has affected employee morale and productivity.
Fortunately, there are ways to keep employees engaged and motivated, even when working from home. This article will discuss how HR can engage their remote workers.
Here are some practical and actionable employee engagement tips for remote workers.
1. Schedule online training
Much like the onboarding process, online training helps employees familiarize themselves with the tools they need to use in the remote work setup. Aside from the tools and their purpose, you can also use online training to share new learnings with the team to help them develop new skills.
2. Have non-work-related video calls
Distance is not a hindrance to enjoy that cup of brewed coffee with your workmates. Like the usual coffee breaks, your employees can have small online talks about how their day is going. Non-work-related video calls are relevant to open up communication lines and loosen up to prepare for upcoming tasks. It brings the routine you usually have in the office online.
3. Update each other about personal goals
Remote work should provide an opportunity for workers to allot time for things they love to do. Personal goals are what drive them these days. While at home, they are more inspired and get more creative towards their job.
Employees are said to be more productive while working remotely as 39% can complete tasks faster. Finishing your tasks earlier than expected means more time to do things you love. Update each other about personal goals, and the company can enjoy low turnover.
4. Focus on giving and receiving feedback
Appreciate your workers by sending them tokens as a reminder of a job well done. You can also send coffee and snacks to their doorsteps. Always find small ways to celebrate, be it their birthday, an outstanding performance, or when they hit a goal.
You can send a virtual card or schedule a video meeting to recognize their efforts and celebrate. They will be grateful for it, and before you know it, they have seen their worth as an essential part of a team ready to contribute to the company’s success.
5. Provide health and wellness programs
You don’t want to end up with non-performing remote workers due to sickness. Encourage them to take care of themselves by promoting health and wellness as essential factors in all work setups. According to Kevin Sheridan, job stress is the no. 1 reason people quit. To avoid this, institute health and wellness programs that suit your team.
Organize a fitness challenge, or perhaps a yoga program. You can also set up a virtual market excursion of food, books, or gadgets—anything that piques your employees’ interest can be used to help foster productive engagement. Ironically, you can bond together while apart: you can let them off early to enjoy the newfound hobbies they discovered during the lockdown.
6. Introduce more ways to communicate
Make employees feel valued by ensuring them that your virtual door is always open for them. They can talk to you to avoid miscommunications and show them that you are available for any of their concerns.
You can introduce team collaboration as it results in greater productivity. You can set up teams to work on a project and let them meet together virtually to accomplish their tasks. Supervise, but don’t dictate—allow them to create their strategy.
This is also a chance for you to ask about any difficulties they may be experiencing with remote work so you can address them. Of course, you should provide alternatives in case of any interruptions on internet connectivity or power outage.
7. Play virtual games
Playing games is now the trend to promote remote work culture and engagement. Virtual games make employees feel that they belong to a team. It is an important engagement strategy that promotes cooperation regardless of proximity.
The main purpose is to allow teamwork to happen towards a common goal: to win. Virtual games have been used to insert fun and interaction in online gatherings, so why not use them in fostering work culture in the remote setup?
Engage Your Remote Workers
You would never know if your strategies are effective if you don’t evaluate them. Consider getting feedback from your remote workers after a few weeks of implementation to measure your employee engagement strategy’s relevance. Evaluation is critical from the hiring process to employee retention, as what a recruitment agency in the Philippines often encourages companies to do.
If things go well, maintain it and continue on its improvement. If you think you need to restrategize, revisit your company’s core values and remote work policy, and develop new engagement efforts.
