Hybrid work arrangements have brought significant change to various industry sectors. A work-from-home arrangement may seem exciting initially, but it can lose its lustre over time, resulting in disengaged employees. When employees aren’t engaged, their productivity and motivation can suffer.
Below are five ways to keep employees engaged in a hybrid working environment.
Prioritize communication
Remote employees often feel disconnected, which is why daily communication is essential. Managers should consider scheduling regular check-ins to see how employees are doing and communicate any company news as needed. Remember that communication is a two-way street. Be sure to listen to any concerns that employees may have and evaluate whether there’s anything that you can do to help mitigate those feelings. Remote employees may start feeling isolated, so it’s important to remind them they’re not alone.
Set clear expectations
Be sure to communicate your expectations of employees while they work remotely. Employees aware of your expectations will be more motivated to meet them. If you want employees to be online for specific hours of the day, communicate that. If you want a daily report of their work, be sure to ask.
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Recognize good work
Recognizing and rewarding employees for their hard work is key to boosting engagement among your telecommuting employees. Employee recognition can take many forms, but the main goal is to incentivize continued productivity and dedication from your employees. For example, you could send out a team- or company-wide email detailing what an employee did and why it’s exceptional. If you want to offer a reward for their excellent work, consider sending an electronic gift card to a local restaurant or delivery service.
Sometimes, recognition doesn’t need to be formal or grand to be effective. A personal thank-you email or message can go a long way in making employees feel valued and engaged while they work from home.
Encourage work-life balance
Remote employees may have difficulty establishing a healthy work-life balance. Because there may not be a physical separation between their workspace and personal space, employees may feel like they need to be available for work 24/7, leading to unnecessary stress and, eventually, burnout.
Communicate the importance of creating boundaries with your employees. Suggest that they work their regular hours and then step away from their computer until it’s time to start working the next day. You can also encourage your employees to take their paid time off to recover from stress and/or burnout or to tend to other responsibilities.
Demonstrate a collaborative culture
Employees tend to be more engaged when they feel like they’re part of a team. When they’re working from home, it can be hard for them to buy into that mentality. As an employer, it’s your responsibility to ensure employees understand that even though you may not be in the office together, you’re all still working toward the same common goal.
Consider sending out regular communications reminding your team that you’re there to help them meet deadlines or provide assistance. Leveraging technology in a remote working environment can help keep employees healthy while working from home.
By following the above tips, your organization can help keep remote employees engaged, productive, and motivated while they work from home.
