Engaging remote employees is crucial for companies with distributed workforces.
With more employees working from home, it can be challenging to keep remote workers engaged, connected, learning, and productive.
This guide will provide nine best practices for engaging your remote employees.
Background on Engaging Remote Employees
Remote work has been increasing over the past decade.
According to a recent Gallup poll, 43% of employees work remotely at least some of the time.
Remote work offers many benefits, including greater flexibility, reduced commute times, and access to a broader talent pool. However, it also comes with some unique challenges.
Remote employees can feel isolated and disconnected from the company and their coworkers. This makes employee engagement more challenging but also more critical than ever.
Disengaged remote employees are more likely to be less productive, have higher turnover, and negatively impact the company culture.
That’s why companies must focus on keeping remote staff engaged.
9 Best Ways to Engage Remote Employees
Here are nine tips for boosting engagement among your remote team members:
1. Encourage Regular Communication
- Schedule regular check-ins, both one-on-one and team-wide.
- Use video conferencing instead of just phone calls.
- Provide multiple communication channels like chat, email, and intranet.
2. Send Regular Company Updates
- Share newsletters, blogs, and vlogs about company news.
- Update on new products, services, campaigns, etc..
- Organize virtual social events and activities.
- Randomly pair up remote workers for virtual coffee chats.
- Send care packages or gifts to employees’ homes.
4. Provide Mentorship and Coaching
- Assign mentors or coaches to new remote employees.
- Offer leadership coaching for managers of remote teams.
5. Recognize and Reward Contributions
- Implement remote-friendly recognition programs.
- Send appreciation gifts or gift cards to top performers.
- Share wins and milestones broadly.
6. Encourage Collaboration and Feedback
- Use collaboration tools like Slack, Asana, and Miro.
- Solicit input through surveys, polls, and suggestion boxes.
7. Clarify Goals and Priorities
- Set clear objectives for remote employees.
- Align individual goals with team and company goals.
8. Offer Remote Onboarding and Training
- Send welcome kits to new remote workers.
- Conduct virtual onboarding and training sessions.
- Provide online training courses and resources.
9. Build a Strong Remote Work Culture
- Role model effective communication and collaboration.
- Highlight remote work perks and benefits.
- Share remote work policies, guides, and resources.
Benefits of Engaging Remote Employees
- Increased job satisfaction and morale.
- Improved productivity and performance.
- Enhanced loyalty and retention.
- Stronger company culture and cohesiveness.
Challenges of Engaging Remote Teams
- Lack of face-to-face interaction.
- Communication barriers across locations.
- Difficulty building trust and relationships.
- Feelings of isolation and disconnection.
Conclusion
Engaging remote employees requires focus, intention, tools, and strategies.
Companies can keep their distributed teams motivated, valued, and connected to the organization by implementing regular communication, collaboration, recognition, and onboarding.
The payoff of engagement is well worth the investment in retaining top talent, boosting productivity through positive onboarding, and nurturing a thriving remote work culture.
With 30+ years of experience, Catherine Fitzgerald, B.A., M.A., PGDip, founded Oak Innovation in 1995. Catherine received her Bachelor’s degree and Master’s from University College Cork. She holds qualifications in Professional Development And Training from University College Galway. She is completing a second Master’s from University College Cork. Since 1995, clients include Apple, Time Warner, and Harvard University.
