Strategies

7 Practical Ways to Engage Employees Working Remotely

Device Rescue

Author

May 19, 2023

Published

Engage Employees Working Remotely
As the world continues to shift towards a more virtual workplace, it’s becoming increasingly important for businesses to find ways to keep their remote employees engaged and motivated. While working from home certainly has its perks, it can also lead to feelings of isolation and disconnection from the rest of the team. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide on 7 practical ways you can engage employees working remote and set them up for success. From regular check-ins to virtual team-building activities, these tips will help you create a collaborative and productive environment no matter where your employees are located. So let’s dive in!
engage employees
Introduction to Remote Working
Assuming that your employees are already remote workers, there are a few key things to keep in mind when trying to engage them. The most important thing is to keep the lines of communication open. Have regular check-ins, whether that be daily, weekly, or bi-weekly. Let your employees know that you are available to talk if they need anything.
Another way to engage remote workers is to give them clear and concise tasks. When an employee knows what is expected of them, they are more likely to be engaged in their work. Make sure to give deadlines for tasks so that employees can plan their time accordingly.
Try to create a sense of community among your remote workers. This can be done by setting up group chats or having regular video calls. Let your employees know that they are part of a team and that you are all working towards the same goal.
The Challenges of Remote Working
It can be difficult to stay motivated when working remotely, especially if you’re used to working in an office environment. Here are a few challenges you may face when working remotely:
  • Isolation: When you work remotely, you can sometimes feel isolated from your colleagues. It’s important to find ways to connect with other people, whether it’s through video conferencing, online chat rooms, or even just picking up the phone.
  • Lack of Structure: Without set hours or a designated workspace, it can be easy to let your work life bleed into your personal life. It’s important to create structure for yourself, whether that means setting regular office hours or finding a quiet place to work.
  • Distractions at Home: Even if you have a dedicated workspace at home, there are still distractions like family members, pets, and the TV that can make it difficult to focus on work. Again, it’s important to create structure for yourself and find ways to minimize distractions.
Strategies for Engaging Employees Remotely
There are a number of strategies you can use to engage employees working remotely. Here are a few key ones:

  1. Keep communication channels open: Make sure you have regular, open communication with your remote team members. This will help ensure that they feel connected to the company and their colleagues, and that they are able to give and receive feedback effectively.
  2. Encourage social interaction: Try to create opportunities for social interaction among your remote team members. This could include arranging regular virtual coffee breaks or happy hours, starting an online book club, or organizing some other type of social activity that employees can participate in from their homes.
  3. Make use of technology: There are many different types of technology that can be used to engage employees working remotely. For example, you could use video conferencing software for team meetings or one-on-one check-ins, or set up a chat system so employees can easily communicate with each other throughout the day.
  4. Give employees autonomy: One of the great things about working remotely is that it allows employees more autonomy than they might have in a traditional office setting. Make sure you trust your team members to get their work done independently, and resist the urge to micromanage them.
  5. Set clear expectations: It’s important to set clear expectations with your remote team members from the start. This includes things like what their work hours should be, how often they should check in with you

1. Communication
Communication is key to engage employees working remotely. Here are practical ways to ensure your team stays connected and engaged:

  1. Schedule regular check-ins. Whether it’s a weekly team meeting or a daily stand-up, regular check-ins are essential to keeping everyone on the same page and ensuring that everyone feels comfortable sharing their ideas and concerns.
  2. Encourage open communication. Make sure that your remote employees feel comfortable reaching out to you with questions or concerns. Encourage them to use company messaging platforms or video conferencing tools to stay in touch.
  3. Be responsive. When your employees do reach out, make sure to respond in a timely manner. Let them know that you’re available and willing to help with whatever they need.
  4. Seek feedback. Ask your remote employees for feedback often, whether it’s about their work experience or suggestions for improving company culture. Showing that you value their input will go a long way in engaging them with the company.
2. Virtual Team Building Events
There are a number of virtual team building events that can be used to engage employees working remotely. These include:

  • Virtual scavenger hunts: Employees can be divided into teams and given a list of items to find or tasks to complete. The first team to complete the tasks or find the items wins.
  • Virtual trivia nights: Employees can compete against each other in a trivia game, with questions based on company knowledge or general trivia.
  • Online escape rooms: Employees work together in teams to solve puzzles and clues in order to “escape” from the room.
  • Virtual cooking classes: Employees can learn how to cook new recipes together, with each team member responsible for a different dish.
  • Online fitness challenges: Employees can compete against each other to see who can get the most steps or exercise minutes in a week.
3. Flexible Scheduling
Flexible scheduling is one of the most important aspects of successfully engaging employees who work remotely. It allows employees to create a work schedule that fits their individual needs and lifestyle, which can boost morale and productivity.
There are a few things to keep in mind when creating a flexible schedule for remote employees:

  1. Communicate clearly what the expectations are for each workday. Employees should know how many hours they are expected to work each day and what tasks need to be completed.
  2. Allow for some flexibility within the schedule. Employees should have some control over when they start and end their workday, as long as they meet their daily expectations.
  3. Make sure all employees have access to the same tools and resources. Regardless of where they are working, all employees should have the same access to resources so they can be productive and successful in their roles.
  4. Encourage communication and collaboration among team members. Working remotely can sometimes make it difficult to stay connected with teammates, so it’s important to encourage communication through various channels (e.g., Slack, email, video conferencing).
4. Collaborative Tools & Platforms
In order for remote employees to be productive, it is important for them to have access to the same collaborative tools and platforms as their on-site counterparts. By providing remote employees with the same tools and platforms, they can easily stay connected and collaborate with their team members.
There are a variety of different collaborative tools and platforms available, but some of the most popular ones include:
Slack: Slack is a messaging platform that allows team members to easily communicate with each other in real-time. It also has a number of features that make it ideal for collaboration, such as file sharing, video conferencing, and searchable history.
Google Drive: Google Drive is a cloud storage service that allows users to store and share files online. It also includes a number of collaboration features, such as the ability to leave comments on files, tag other users in comments, and see who else is viewing or editing a file.
Asana: Asana is a project management tool that helps teams track their work and progress towards goals. It includes features such as task assignation, deadlines, progress tracking, and commenting.
By providing remote employees with access to these kinds of tools, you can help them stay connected and engaged with their work.
5. Social Media & Online Groups/Communities
When it comes to engaging employees working remotely, social media and online groups/communities can be a great resource. Here are a few practical ways to use these tools to engage your remote workforce:

  1. Use social media to connect with employees on a personal level. Get to know them as individuals and learn about their interests outside of work. This will help you build stronger relationships with them and make them feel more connected to the company.
  2. Use social media or online groups/communities to crowdsource ideas and feedback from employees. This is a great way to get input from a large group of people without having to schedule multiple meetings or conference calls.
  3. Use social media or online groups/communities to share company news, announcements, and updates. This is an easy way to keep everyone in the loop without having to send out individual emails or make phone calls.
  4. Use social media or online groups/communities to host virtual happy hours, coffee chats, or other informal gatherings. This is a great way to promote team building and morale among employees who are working remotely.

6. Motivating Incentives & Rewards
Working remotely can be a great way to increase productivity and engagement for your employees. However, it is important to make sure that you are providing motivating incentives and rewards for your employees who are working remotely. Here are some practical ways to engage employees working remotely:

  1. Set clear goals and expectations. When employees know what is expected of them, they are more likely to be motivated to meet those expectations.
  2. Provide feedback regularly. Feedback helps employees know how they are doing and what they need to improve upon. It also shows that you are paying attention to their work and care about their progress.
  3. Offer flexible work hours. Many remote workers appreciate the ability to set their own work hours, as it allows them to better manage their time and responsibilities outside of work.
  4. Allow for some social interaction. Although remote workers may not be able to interact with their coworkers in person, there are still ways to allow for social interaction, such as through online chat or video conferencing platforms.
  5. Give employees the opportunity to learn and grow. Employees who feel like they are learning new things and growing in their roles are more likely to be engaged in their work. You can provide opportunities for learning through online resources or by offering training courses

7. Measuring Performance Outputs
There are a few key performance outputs you can measure when employees are working remotely:

  1. First, you can measure the number of tasks or projects completed within a certain timeframe. This will give you an indication of whether employees are meeting deadlines and completing assigned work.
  2. Another output you can measure is the quality of work produced. This can be done through peer review or feedback from clients or customers.
  3. You can measure employee satisfaction by surveying them on a regular basis. This will give you insight into whether they feel engaged and motivated in their work.
Conclusion
Working remotely has become increasingly popular in recent years, and with that comes the challenge of engaging employees. With these 7 practical tips, we hope to have provided you with the tools necessary to foster a more engaged remote workforce. It is important to remember that engagement goes beyond simple tasks like sending out surveys or organizing team activities – it involves creating meaningful connections between employees and leaders, so take advantage of every opportunity you can!