Remote work has been steadily increasing for years, and it’s not going to slow down anytime soon. Many people are realizing the benefits of virtual work as companies and employees adapt to this new remote world. Remote workers tend to be more productive, engaged, and happier, which attracts top talent to businesses that offer remote and flexible work options. However, managing a remote workforce can be challenging, so how do you ensure your remote employees are successful? The key is to keep your remote employees engaged, no matter where they are working. There are many ways to engage remote employees. In this blog post, we will explore practical strategies and actionable tips on how to engage remote employees. Here are some tips to empower them in their roles and contribute to the overall success of your organization.

There is an Opportunity to Global Companies to Step Up their Remote Engagement Game

Although remote work has numerous benefits, there are unique challenges that come with it. According to a survey, 62% of employees believe working remotely positively impacts engagement, yet only 5% are likely to stay at their company long-term. This gap represents an opportunity for companies to be proactive and step up their engagement efforts. In other words, you’ll need more than perks and remote happy hours to keep your remote employees engaged.

How to Engage Remote Employees?

To engage remote employees requires a strategic approach and a long-term commitment to your people. When companies invest in their remote employees’ long-term success and engagement, they enjoy happier, more productive employees who are in it for the long haul.

  • Craft A Company-wide Remote Work Policy

    When it comes to remote work, clear expectations are key. Without structure and boundaries, it’s easy for work to bleed into personal time and for employees to feel overwhelmed. To set your remote team up for success, it’s important to establish guidelines and provide them with the tools they need to thrive. One way to ensure the productivity of remote workers is by setting expectations for work hours and availability. If you’re offering flexible scheduling, be sure to specify the window of time that employees must be available. This will help ensure that everyone is on the same page and that work is being done when it needs to be.

    Communication is another important factor to consider. Make sure you’re clear on what type of communication requires documentation, and what’s acceptable for phone calls, meetings, and instant messaging. This will help keep everyone on the same page and reduce confusion. Finally, it’s important to be clear about what metrics to consider for measuring productivity. Will it be based on meeting deadlines, quality of work, or responsiveness? Whatever your criteria, make sure it’s clearly communicated to your team. These are just a few examples of the types of guidelines you should consider when setting up your remote team. By providing structure and clear expectations, you can empower your employees and set them up for success.

  • Set A Seamless & Easy Remote Onboarding Process

    Starting a new job is always a little daunting. The added challenge of remote work can make it even more stressful. As internal communicators, it’s important to find ways to engage remote employees so that they feel like they’re a part of the team from day one. This will help boost productivity of remote workers. Keep this in mind when you design your company’s remote onboarding process. One simple and effective approach is to take introductions beyond small talk. By setting up one-on-one meetings between new employees and different team members, you can help break the ice and encourage deeper connections. A quick 30-minute conversation can go a long way in helping two people get to know each other and start building a rapport.

    Another fun way to engage remote employees who have just joined is to have them host your company’s end-of-day stand-up meeting. Though they may be hesitant at first, this is a great opportunity for newbies to get creative and introduce people they’ve never met before. It’s a fun way to mix things up for your remote team and help new employees feel included and welcomed. Remember, the key is to find ways to create a sense of belonging and connection for new remote workers. Take the time to facilitate introductions and encourage engagement. This way, you can help ease the stress of starting a new job in a remote environment.

  • Give Your Remote Employees A Voice

    Working remotely can make employees feel like their voices aren’t heard. But as an employer, it’s crucial to provide your remote workforce with opportunities to express their thoughts and opinions, and then act on their feedback. One way to engage remote employees this way is by conducting recurring employee engagement surveys. Pulse surveys can help track changes in employee sentiment over time. While always-on feedback channels enable employees to share their thoughts on anything in real-time. With an employee engagement platform, managers can easily review, analyze, and act on the data collected from these surveys. But collecting feedback is just the first step.

    HR plays an important role in helping managers develop collaborative action plans with their employees and ensure productivity of remote workers. Managers should host listening sessions. Hence, team members can provide input and share how they would respond to the issues that have surfaced. This approach helps establish trust among managers and their direct reports. It helps both parties feel invested in putting the action plan into practice.

    When it comes to the tools and technology used in remote work, involving your colleagues in the decision-making process can make all the difference. After all, your colleagues are the ones who will be using these tools day in and day out. By including them in the decision-making process, you can avoid frustrated employees and wasted service expenditure. A feedback process that features a cross-section of relevant staff members in your ROI analysis for software products is a great way to gauge opinions. Ultimately, giving your remote workforce a voice and involving them in decision-making processes will help them feel valued and engaged. And that will help them contribute more to your company’s success.

    benefits of employee engagement

  • Set A Seamless & Easy Remote Onboarding Process

    Starting a new job is always a little daunting. The added challenge of remote work can make it even more stressful. As internal communicators, it’s important to find ways to engage remote employees so that they feel like they’re a part of the team from day one. This will help boost productivity of remote workers. Keep this in mind when you design your company’s remote onboarding process. One simple and effective approach is to take introductions beyond small talk. By setting up one-on-one meetings between new employees and different team members, you can help break the ice and encourage deeper connections. A quick 30-minute conversation can go a long way in helping two people get to know each other and start building a rapport.

    Another fun way to engage remote employees who have just joined is to have them host your company’s end-of-day stand-up meeting. Though they may be hesitant at first, this is a great opportunity for newbies to get creative and introduce people they’ve never met before. It’s a fun way to mix things up for your remote team and help new employees feel included and welcomed. Remember, the key is to find ways to create a sense of belonging and connection for new remote workers. Take the time to facilitate introductions and encourage engagement. This way, you can help ease the stress of starting a new job in a remote environment.

  • Use Efficient Communication & Collaboration Tools

     Working remotely can sometimes make employees feel like they’re stranded on an island, cut off from the rest of their team. To prevent this, it’s essential to establish a framework for frequent and structured communication between peers and between managers and their direct reports. Regular check-ins can promote social interaction and keep teams aligned. But, it’s important not to overdo it, as ad hoc calls can disrupt someone’s workflow, leading to micromanagement and stress. Once you’ve determined the appropriate meeting frequency, it’s worth exploring communication and collaboration tools to improve your virtual work environment. Platforms like Google Meet and Zoom make video conferencing easy.

    While chat tools such as Slack and Google Chat help engage remote employees in company decisions and discussions. With these platforms, remote workers can take on as much responsibility as in-office employees, providing them with a sense of belonging and purpose. Investing in project management software also helps to increase visibility and simplify teamwork. When selecting collaboration tools, choose ones that are easy to use, without steep learning curves. Otherwise, your remote workers might feel discouraged from using new technology, and your company’s productivity might suffer. Ultimately, establishing clear communication channels and equipping remote workers with collaboration tools helps foster a more collaborative, productive, and happier remote work culture.

  • Support Learning & Professional Development

    When we shift to remote work, it’s easy to let some things slip through the cracks. However, we should make sure that professional development isn’t one of them. It’s a win-win for both employers and employees. By investing in continuous learning and development, employees gain valuable skills while employers grow, develop, and retain top talent. To get started, it’s a good idea to invest in a learning management system (LMS) that’s accessible from anywhere. This will allow HR teams to purchase and upload training courses on various topics, from coding to presentation skills to leadership practices. And it’s not just about formal education. Veteran employees and managers can coach their less experienced counterparts to help unlock their potential and keep them connected.

    In a recent study by Amazon and Workplace Intelligence, 89% of employees surveyed said they are motivated to improve their skills in 2023, feeling they lack the skills and education required to advance in their careers. So it’s important that managers and HR departments work together to create a work environment where upskilling is available to all employees, whether they’re working remotely or not. To make this happen, it’s important to use different training delivery methods like blended learning, classroom face-to-face learning, virtual classrooms, e-learning, and mobile applications. And when it comes to career development opportunities, they should be based on merit rather than visibility. This gives remote workers the feeling of being valued and will ensure that they have a future within your organization.

  • Assign HR Managers To Conduct Training on Remote Skills

    As remote work becomes more prevalent, many managers are struggling to adapt to this new way of working. In fact, according to Harvard Business Review, 40% of supervisors and managers feel unsure of their ability to manage a remote team effectively. This lack of confidence can be especially detrimental to the team’s morale, as it can create a sense of micromanagement and mistrust. To alleviate this uncertainty, it’s crucial for HR to provide training and resources to help managers become more comfortable with managing a remote team. This can include technical support, such as ensuring that employees have the right equipment and resources. Also, providing tips and best practices for staying productive while working from home.

    Additionally, it’s important for managers to regularly check in with their team to identify any challenges they may be facing and to offer support as needed. These check-ins should be brief and focused on what’s working well and what could be improved, rather than micromanaging individual tasks. By providing managers with the training and support they need to manage a remote team effectively, companies can ensure that their employees feel engaged and supported, even when working from home. This is one of the most effective ways to engage remote employees. 

  • Always Consider & Prioritize Employee’s Mental Health

    Working from home is becoming increasingly popular, but with it comes a unique set of mental health challenges that employers must address. Despite this, many employers fail to recognize the impact of workplace stress on their employees’ well-being. However, it’s important to remember that stress can cause burnout, reduce productivity, and even lead to voluntary turnover, which costs US employers billions of dollars annually. To avoid burnout and promote wellness among remote workers, employers should encourage their employees to take time off to recharge.

    Additionally, promoting healthy habits like getting enough sleep, eating well, and exploring creative hobbies can help reduce everyday stress. Encouraging mindfulness and self-awareness can also help employees develop coping mechanisms and concentration skills. Consider hiring a mindfulness expert or providing employees with a subscription to a meditation app. Another effective way to motivate employees to prioritize self-care is to start a “healthy habit challenge.” Integrate a recognition software with wellness platforms. Here, employees can earn reward points for practicing healthy habits like meditation, staying hydrated, spending time with family, or getting exercise. Prioritizing mental, physical, and emotional wellness in the workplace not only prevents burnout and increases productivity, but also keeps remote employees happy. By creating a positive and productive work environment, you’ll foster a culture of well-being that benefits everyone.

  • Celebrate Milestones & Try Recognition Programs

    Don’t let virtual work hold back your celebration of big accomplishments. It’s still essential to recognize and appreciate significant milestones to maintain employee morale and engagement. One way to do this is by publicly acknowledging people’s work anniversaries and birthdays on your intranet. Colleagues can comment and contribute to the celebration, sparking a chain reaction of recognition. If your company uses a points-based recognition program, encourage managers to lead by example. Award points to employees who complete professional development courses, deliver an exceptional presentation, or go beyond their duties. It’s also crucial to encourage peer-to-peer recognition.

    Employees should recognize their colleagues who helped them reach a sale or complete a significant project. Don’t forget to recognize teams who exemplify the company’s values each month by awarding them a virtual team lunch. Each celebration may look a little different, but making the effort to personalize them and make employees feel special is the key to keeping everyone motivated.

  • Be Flexible With The Remote Employee’s Working Hours

    Embracing the flexibility of remote work can be a game-changer for your team. As a manager, it’s important to recognize that not everyone works best under the same conditions. While some of your team members might thrive in the traditional office environment, others might work better in a coffee shop or library. Allowing them to choose their work environment can lead to a boost in morale, creativity, and productivity. Flexibility is also important when it comes to work hours. Giving your employees some control over their schedules can alleviate stress and help them work more efficiently. For instance, some employees might have personal obligations that require them to take a break during the day.

    Allowing them to take that time will help them recharge and come back to work with a renewed focus. Of course, there are times when teamwork is essential. In those cases, setting aside certain time frames for discussing projects as a team is crucial. But even with a limited amount of flexibility, employees will appreciate the gesture and feel valued by their organization. When it comes to remote work, trust and communication are key. Trust-building is one of the best ways to engage remote employees. By offering your team the freedom to work where and when they work best, you’ll build a culture of empowerment and engagement that will pay dividends in the long run.

  • Ensure Uniform Workload Distribution

    As a manager, it’s your job to make sure your employees don’t get bogged down with too much work. Overloading your staff can lead to burnout and decreased productivity. However, when managing a remote team, keeping track of workloads can be a challenge. That’s why using time trackers and project management tools is essential to ensure everyone has a balanced workload.

    Another useful tool is having employees send brief email reports to their managers. These reports can contain a rundown of their current projects, which helps managers see if they’re being used to their full capacity or if they can take on additional tasks. It’s also important to check in with your team regularly. When working remotely, it’s easy to forget about small gestures like asking how someone’s day went. But these gestures can go a long way in showing your team that you care about their well-being. In a remote setting, the little things count, and keeping up with the best practices of office life is crucial.

  • Set A Regular Check-In Meeting Schedule

    When you’re working remotely, it can be easy to skip or cancel routine team meetings. As the leader or manager, you may feel like your time is better spent on other tasks. However, regular team meetings are crucial for maintaining connections and promoting team spirit. Especially when your team is spread out across different locations. Even if your meetings are short and to the point, sticking to a consistent schedule will help prevent tunnel vision and keep everyone focused on the bigger picture. Taking a break from individual work to check in with your team will help you stay informed. You can be up-to-date on what’s happening with projects and team members. Remember, it’s worth it to delay responding to emails or put calls on hold for a little while in order to ensure that your team is communicating effectively and working together towards common goals.

  • Reward Exceptional Performance

    If you want to show appreciation for your employees who go above and beyond, it’s important to understand what motivates them. This requires some effort on your part, but it’s worth it. Take the time to experiment with different ideas for rewards that are suitable for both your company and your employees. It doesn’t have to be extravagant, but it should be something worthwhile. For example, you could offer free days off, e-retail coupons, or even sponsored remote team dinners for departments that surpass their KPIs. It’s important to recognize and reward employees who take initiative and come up with innovative solutions to the challenges of remote work. By doing so, you’ll encourage a culture of creativity and problem-solving that benefits everyone in the company.

  • Familiarize Remote Teams with Virtual Socializing

    Building a cohesive team is challenging, especially when your team is distributed across different locations. The lack of face-to-face interaction makes it difficult for team members to build relationships. In-human interaction is essential for collaboration and productivity. However, there are ways to overcome this challenge.

    As a manager, it’s important to create opportunities for your team members to interact and bond, regardless of their physical location. You can organize virtual coffee breaks, work lunches, and after-work events to encourage socialization. While it may seem challenging to socialize over a screen, there are many creative solutions available. For example, you can organize team-building activities such as virtual games or escape rooms, or have a team cooking challenge.

    Lastly, don’t underestimate the power of small talk. It may seem unimportant, but it’s an integral part of building and maintaining relationships. So, make sure to allow some time for informal conversation during your video meetings, as it can help your team members connect on a personal level.

    ways to engage remote employees

  • Encourage FaceTime To Avoid Misunderstandings

    Effective communication is essential for remote teams to work successfully, but without nonverbal cues like facial expressions and body language, misunderstandings can occur. Virtual video meetings can help by clarifying messages and adding a human touch to remote interactions. However, the rise of Zoom fatigue has highlighted the importance of avoiding unnecessary meetings. It’s crucial to strike a balance between the need for communication and avoiding burnout.

    When deciding whether to hold a meeting, consider its importance. If a simple response will suffice, alternative communication methods such as email or chat may be more efficient. If a meeting is necessary, be sure to set a clear agenda ahead of time. This is to ensure everyone is prepared and the meeting doesn’t go over its scheduled time. To make scheduling and confirming meetings easier, try using automated scheduling tools that can send invites via email, manage RSVPs, and more. By being intentional with meetings, you can reduce Zoom fatigue and keep remote teams engaged and productive.

Wrapping Up!

Engaging remote employees is an ongoing mission that requires constant attention and care. Keeping remote workers engaged is crucial for the success of any organization, and it’s not something you can just tick off your checklist once and be done with it. Your engaged remote employees are some of the most valuable assets you have. So, it’s essential to keep nurturing and developing their engagement. Be sure to stay informed about the latest strategies for engaging remote workers and regularly reassess your approach to ensure you’re providing the best possible support for your team. Remember that investing in employee engagement is a long-term effort that pays off in spades.