Remote working appeals to many workers because of the convenience and potential cost savings. However, it may affect collaboration and lead to feelings of social isolation. Workplace design and fit-out company Evoke Projects has tips for making all your employees feel part of the team, no matter where they work.
It’s easy to assume that people are overjoyed by the option to work in pyjamas, give up a long commute or hang out with new people in a co-working hub. Certainly they may enjoy these perks of remote working, but being away from their regular colleagues and not having access to management can feel isolating. If you notice that remote workers seem disengaged, less productive or low in morale, this is a sign that they need more nurturing.
1. Spend one-on-one time
Remote workers miss out on casual interactions around the office, particularly coffee breaks and corridor chats. Schedule time for a video chat each week. Let people know what to expect on these calls so they can prepare and feel relaxed. Try not to spend all the time on work topics. Take an interest in people’s hobbies and families. As a manager, it can be difficult to keep track of all this information so take notes and ask follow-up questions in future chats. Be authentically engaged and connected so that people feel they have a social relationship with the boss.
2. Communicate the bigger picture
Do people understand where their tasks and goals fit into the bigger corporate picture? For example, if you are asking remote salespeople to log calls and opportunities into a sales database, do they understand how that information may feed into decisions to order stock or discontinue a product line? All tasks fit into a bigger picture, and they are not always obvious, particularly to remote workers. It also opens up lines of conversation amongst all employees about the company’s goals, which is motivating and inclusive.
3. All work and no play…
You know what happens next! Plan non-work activities during the workday, evenings and weekends. A 10-minute trivia quiz after lunch will lift that sluggish feeling for office and remote workers alike. Survey all staff to find out what social activities they would value in the evenings/weekends. Yoga sessions, barefoot bowls, dining out and card nights are popular choices. Include virtual activities so that remote workers don’t have to travel to participate. A book club, Office Olympics (see e.g., https://teambuilding.com/blog/virtual-office-olympics) mindfulness sessions or virtual cheese/wine tasting will engage people, even more so if you subsidise the activity.
4. Design their home office
Working at the dining table or sofa is likely to lead to back, neck or wrist problems. Help staff with their home office design and provide ergonomic office furniture, height-adjustable desks and display screens where possible. Show them that you respect their working environment in the same way that you support office workers. Educate everyone on the value of good working posture and reduced sedentary work.
5. Recognition
Proactively seek out the opinions of remote workers. Make them realise that they are valuable to you. Take time to recognise the contribution they make with a quick thank you email or phone call. No matter how busy you are, that small gesture will make so much difference to morale and motivation.
6. Gamification
Look for opportunities to gamify objectives and give more visibility to achievement. Leaderboards, rewards, prizes, team challenges, training simulations, apps and avatars can all introduce game elements into the workday. Remote workers can participate in these equally with office workers, so everyone is being treated the same.
7. Restructure training and development
Take the opportunity to revisit your training and development programs, particularly those that haven’t been updated for years. There is a plethora of online resources that can supplement or replace classroom-based training. Again, it’s best to aim to put everyone on an equal playing field for career development.
Humans are social creatures who look for meaningful connections with colleagues who share their objectives and work culture. Any steps you can take to increase collaboration and communication between remote workers and office staff will pay dividends in motivation and productivity.
For advice on ergonomic working, office design and fit-outs, please call Evoke Projects on 1300 720 692.
