Many organisations have reinstated back-to-office work arrangements post pandemic, while some are continuing to provide flexibility with the one or two days per week Work From Home (WFH) option. As this new trend of working away from the office continues into the future, employers must keep in mind that remote employees need more motivation than their physical counterparts to ensure that they give their best to work.
Engaged employees care about their work and their company. It is a known fact that an engaged employee is a productive employee. They are focused, committed, enthusiastic and dedicated not only towards their personal success but also the success of the organisation.
While teleconference meetings provide an avenue for some face-to-face connection, there are other ways for employers to keep their WFH employees engaged with the office. Here is a list of some of key initiatives to create a supportive work environment:
1. Connect on a daily basis
Very often, employees are left to their own devices to deliver on their tasks. By connecting with them on a daily basis, not only to check on the work progress but also to check if they need any support, helps build relationships and good teamwork for better outcomes. Communication also drives better collaboration. A team’s goals become more achievable when work expectations are clearly communicated and support is extended in areas that require assistance.
2. Build trust
Connecting with employees daily does not mean that they need to be constantly checked on. Remote working means there will be some flexibility in the work hours. Each team member may put in different hours on the work but ultimately knowing that the work gets done is key to avoid micromanaging employees. Trust also reduces apprehensions, stress and hostilities at the workplace. Employees will enjoy a culture of honesty and mutual respect when trust is placed at the forefront. Build that trust as it is a great motivator.
3. Listen to feedback
Often times, employers ask for feedback only to put those feedback on the backburner. If feedback is sought, it is imperative that the feedback is acted upon so that changes can be made to ensure that employees feel appreciated. Listening to feedback builds better relationships and cultivates a better work environment. Attending to a simple request such as giving some time off for remote employees to attend to some domestic chores can result in better commitment from employees who will reciprocate the leeway given.
4. Recognise and reward hard work
To keep employees engaged, HR can continuously roll out initiatives to achieve their objective. While such initiatives may be more suited for company-wide programmes, keeping employees engaged can be easily achieved with employee engagement tools.
One such tool is Xoxoday Empuls, which adds value by enabling employee recognition, rewards and surveys within the existing workplace technologies. It allows employees to get their work done as well as participate in a host of activities. This helps to build a culture of appreciation through timely recognition. Xoxoday Empuls is touted as an empowering tool to help companies build a happy and engaged workforce. Organisations which have subscribed to JustLogin, the cloud-based HR solution, will be pleased to note that Xoxoday Empuls has been integrated with JustLogin. The integration enables JustLogin users to send employee data directly to Empuls and leverage the platform to connect, align and motivate their workforce.
5. Encourage professional development
When not in sight, the professional development of remote employees can be easily forgotten. Training and development should be emphasised whether the employee works in the office or is home-based. Developing employees’ skills through training helps not only in keeping employees’ skills up-to-date but also helps in retaining employees who feel appreciated.
As remote workers can become disconnected from their office counterparts, employers have a responsibility to keep them engaged. While good motivation techniques can help employees remain excited about their tasks and work, engagement tools facilitate the engagement activities to enrich employee experiences.