A few short years ago, the idea of working from home was just a dream Fast-forward to today, and Covid-19 has redefined the working structure of millions of individuals worldwide, affecting the way we work, the way we communicate and our levels of productivity now that most of us are permanently faced with a career based at home.
Remote working comes with multiple benefits, and many employees have embraced the idea of home-based teams, and are enjoying sourcing new employees from a talent pool that stretches to all corners of the globe. However, despite this positive approach, remote working still comes with its own set of challenges. One of the most pressing is maintaining high levels of engagement with remote employees and building robust connections despite working apart.
Poor employee engagement presents its own set of challenges including issues with collaborative projects, employees feeling isolated and disconnected from the company and problems with brand identity. So, with this in mind, let’s explore some efficient and immersive ways to maintain connections with your remote teams.
Host Virtual Events
One of the biggest issues with remote workers is the lack of morale due to isolation and lack of recognition. By hosting virtual events such as conferences, online training, webinars, team chats and R&R sessions via a virtual platform you’ll be able to bring your remote workers into the fold and make them feel immersed and part of your company. For a list of the top virtual conference solutions, click the link.
Actively Support Their Needs
In a traditional office space, if an employee has an issue or needs help with a customer or process, they’ll ask those around them or reach out to their management for assistance. Remote workers, however, don’t have this luxury. A remote worker who feels isolated and undervalued is less likely to feel able to reach out for help when they need it.
Therefore, productivity will suffer, you’ll lose revenue, and you can expect employee retention rates to plummet. Employees, whether remote or office-based, want to feel secure. Therefore keeping your finger on the pulse of employee needs is essential. Check in with them regularly, offer assistance, improve the quality of your training and ask for feedback.
Highlight Career and Personal Growth Opportunities
Maintaining positive connections with your remote teams also extends to highlighting potential career and personal growth opportunities within your business. It’s easy for remote workers to feel neglected and forgotten when it comes to rising through the ranks, but with the right approach to career growth, training, and career advancement, you’ll be able to maintain good levels of employee retention and fill higher levels of your business with world-class talent. Make a start by discussing their goals and setting them up for success with regular check-ins with HR and other opportunities to discuss their aspirations.
Final Thoughts
In today’s remote-working world, businesses must be taking steps to engage, protect and preserve their remote workers. Consider the points above to change your remote worker approach.
