The increasing popularity of remote employment has changed the landscape of work, allowing greater freedom to both business operators and the workforce. Nevertheless, keeping remote employees engaged and motivated is an intentional and ongoing process, which requires new innovative ways. To get around these issues, a strategy has to be designed by the organizations that not only protects but enhances employee engagement, creates a sense of belonging, and increases output in the cyclic virtual working model. With a greater number of organizations adopting remote work policies, managers are challenged to review the existing employee engagement methods. The fineness lies in being steadfast and pliable – crafting an ambiance that promotes teamwork, encourages the balancing of work and other aspects of life, the quest for career development and taking care of oneself. In this article, we investigate practical, tested ways that can enable firms build and maintain a successful, engaged, and high-performing culture in a remote working environment.
Strategies to improve employee engagement
- Prioritize clear communication
Effective communication is the foundation of every successful remote collaboration. Miscommunication and delays are common when there are no face-to-face encounters. As a result, it is critical to create open lines of communication and ensure that all team members are on the same page about goals and expectations. To achieve clear communication, companies must deploy the right tools to keep the employees on track, such as- Slack, Trello, Zoho, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, etc. This will help the remote employees understand their tasks and stay connected with their peers and seniors. The seniors must also clearly establish their expectations from the employees, and encourage all sorts of feedback which can help the overall growth of the company.
2. Foster a culture of Recognition
One of the most effective methods of keeping employees motivated is recognition. Recognizing their accomplishments, small or big, instills a sense of value in the employees and keeps them driven to achieve more. Acknowledging the achievements, whether minor or major, makes the employees appreciate their worth, and motivates them to reach for further heights. One such way is by celebrating their successes by offering either tangible rewards or verbal appreciation. Bonusly and Kudos are examples of such applications that can be used and incorporated in the daily working system, to help others recognize their peers’ wins as well. One-on-one feedback can also greatly help in boosting the morale of employees.
3. Encourage work-life Balance
One of the primary benefits of remote work is the opportunity to design a schedule that fits the employee’s personal life. However, employees who lack boundaries may find it difficult to separate work and personal life, leading to burnout. This can be achieved by setting clear boundaries which will help the individuals stick to the dictated work hours, after which they will be free to pursue their personal activities. Offering flexible schedules can also help employees structure their day according to their most productive hours. This fosters autonomy and helps maintain motivation. Lastly, it is very important to promote physical and mental well-being among your team to ensure maximum productivity. Offering flexible schedules so that the employees can organize their day around their most productive hours is another way to encourage work-life balance. This encourages independence and keeps the motivation high. Last but certainly not least, promoting health- both physical and mental- has to be done with the utmost priority to ensure that the team’s productivity is retained at its peak level.
4. Organize virtual team-building activities
When employees are working remotely, they might not be able to connect with their peers efficiently, which can affect the coordination and uniformity of tasks. Teams need to be on the same page, which will lead to optimal use of the resources and a uniform outcome. This will also further build rapport between the individuals. This can be done through hosting online quizzes, scavenger hunts, and virtual escape rooms, which are all activities that may add some fun and creativity to the workweek. These activities allow team members to unwind and interact in a non-work environment, fostering camaraderie. Schedule casual virtual coffee breaks, happy hours, or luncheons to foster social relationships. These informal contacts can help team members connect outside of professional topics.
5. Professional growth opportunities
Remote employees also crave chances for their professional growth, helping them move forward in their careers. Engaging employees entails investing in their professional development and giving them opportunities to broaden their skills and expertise. This can be done by offering them online courses and certifications on Udemy, Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, etc., which will help them enhance their skills. Seniors can also hold mentorship programs which can help new employees navigate their professional development.
Conclusion
Remote work has several advantages, but it also demands a purposeful strategy to keep employees motivated and engaged and build a sense of connection. The strategies discussed above are implemented to ensure the upkeep of morale and promote the employee to perform better. Engaging a remote team isn’t just keeping the team busy; it’s about creating a supportive, inclusive, and thriving work culture. At Graffersid, we ensure that your work is recognized and rewarded while maintaining a thriving company culture.
