How can you keep remote employees engaged?

Regular communication helps maintain a strong working relationship and keeps employees engaged. Virtual water cooler moments, such as virtual coffee breaks or team-building activities, help employees socialize and get to know each other. They need to know the bigger picture only then would they be able to understand their roles and responsibilities and contribute effectively. Remote work can sometimes also feel isolating, so it's important to show empathy and support to your remote employees.

In my experience, engaging in non-work related conversations is crucial to building connections and minimizing isolation. Consider virtual water cooler conversations with your team. Use meeting time to connect on a personal level by using ice-breakers. Start conversations with topics of interest to get to know individuals, and once the connections are fostered, the employee feels engaged, and collaboration and productivity increase.

I agree that by well-being checking, employers can demonstrate their commitment to the overall well-being of employees. Focus should be in; Mental health support - offer resources and access to mental health services, such as employee assistance programs (EAPs), counseling services, or online mental health platforms. Work-life balance - promote a healthy work-life balance by setting clear expectations regarding working hours and availability. Physical health - provide resources or subsidies for fitness memberships, online workout classes, or wellness programs. Promote the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Social connections - promote casual conversations, or dedicated chat channels for non-work interactions.

By organizing effective virtual team-building activities, employers promote employee engagement, morale, and overall team cohesion. This can be achieved by; Selecting activities that are fun & interactive. Acknowledging and celebrating individual and team accomplishments during virtual team meetings.Think virtual awards & shout-outs, Creating informal spaces or channels where remote employees can connect and engage in casual conversations. example, "water cooler" chat room for sharing personal interest Ensuring access to the necessary tools and platforms to participate in virtual team-building activities. Encouraging respectful and open communication, and address any concerns or issues that may arise promptly.

It's important to take into account various needs and wants of team members - being particularly careful not to "force" after-hours interactions. They may be fun for some, but for introverts (like me!), virtual book clubs or hobby groups may not be the best way to go. Think instead of ways to foster collaboration and socialization during the work day. Create cross-functional teams to work on projects. Have a short stretch break (even two minutes can work) each day, so all employees - remote and not - can participate. If there's an in office lunch, send your remote employees a DoorDash or UberEats gift card so they can participate as well. And above all else, ask your remote employees what would help them feel most connected.

Making space for remote team members to connect meaningfully with others (who are in the office or also working remotely) is critical. That said, don't fall into the trap of thinking that all remote team members will want to take part in 'extra' activities to bond as a team. Instead, find moments within your existing structures where people can connect (e.g. repurpose a team meeting, build time into 121s where people can share what's on their minds, etc.). If you're going to include them in social events where a majority of people are together in a physical space, ensure you're involving them intentionally and not alienating them further by just having them dial into a social gathering in the office.

Flexibility Autonomy and FAIRNESS is critical. Fairness from a perspective of Performance Management and goal evaluation. Proximity Bias is something that should be taken care of. When an organization has laid out the guideline of Remote or Hybrid work, and output is what has to be measured, Managers need to look at the metrics clearly of achievement and not if the employee has delivered remotely or being in office.

Some advantages of providing flexibility and autonomy include; Providing flexibility and autonomy to remote workers offers several advantages, including: Improved work-life balance Increased productivity and efficiency Enhanced job satisfaction and morale Increased creativity and innovation Attraction and retention of top talent Global talent access Cost savings and environmental impact

Many workers appreciate the flexibility that remote work brings to their lives, enabling them to design their day in a way that meets their family needs more effectively. The time saved from commuting to the office can be redirected towards taking care of their well-being and personal commitments. Such flexibility and autonomy tend to benefit proactive employees, as long as the expectations regarding deadlines and job requirements are clearly communicated. Remote employees who are offered a flexible schedule and autonomy over their projects are likely to thrive and remain motivated, contributing positively to their work.

I agree that assigning mentors, coaches and peers is key as well as the following; Consider compatibility to foster a positive and productive mentoring or coaching relationship. The assigned should be accessible and responsive to address questions, provide feedback, and offer guidance when needed. Communicate the purpose, scope, and desired outcomes to both the mentors, coaches, or peers and the remote employees to align Provide a framework that ensures progress and accountability for both parties involved Encourage regular feedback and constructive conversations to address challenges, provide guidance, and track progress. Emphasize the importance of trust & confidentiality Evaluation and make adjustment as needed

In my experience, when rewarding employees it is important to consider legal factors, you can ensure that your gifting and rewarding practices are fair, transparent, compliant, and contribute to a positive and motivating work environment for remote employees.