Many businesses are now turning to remote work to reduce costs and attract talented employees who may not want to relocate. Although working remotely can have many benefits, it also comes with its own set of challenges. Here are seven tips on how to successfully manage your employees working remotely:
Set Expectations
It’s important to set expectations with your employees from the start. This includes setting work hours, what is expected to be accomplished during those hours, and how you will communicate with each other. By setting these expectations upfront, you can avoid misunderstandings and frustration later on. If possible, have a trial period where everyone works remotely for a set period to see how it goes. It will allow you to work out any kinks in the system and ensure everyone is on the same page.
Create A Communication Plan
It’s important to have a communication plan in place if you’re working remotely. Ensure everyone knows how to reach you and how you prefer to communicate. You can set up scheduled check-ins, use a chat system like Slack, or send regular emails. Anonymous question submission systems can also be helpful. The key is ensuring everyone knows how to reach you and how you prefer to communicate. That way, you can avoid miscommunications and keep everyone on the same page. Having a remote working communication plan will help make your team more successful.
Invest in Job Management Software
Job management software can be a lifesaver when trying to keep track of employees working remotely. This software allows you to assign and track tasks, set deadlines, and communicate with employees in one place. Many types of job management software are available, so be sure to research to find one that will work best for your needs. It is vital to read more about this job management software to understand how it works and can benefit your business. In addition, by automating tasks and tracking progress, it can help businesses to optimize their workflow and improve their bottom line.
Encourage Breaks and Time Off
When you’re used to seeing your employees in the office daily, it can be easy to forget that they need breaks too. Just because they’re not physically in the office doesn’t mean they should be working all day. Ensure to encourage your employees to take breaks and use their vacation days to stay refreshed and avoid burnout. In addition, by encouraging breaks, you’re showing your employees that you value their work-life balance. Allowing your employees to take the time they need to recharge will ultimately benefit your company by making them more productive and engaged when they are working.
Encourage and Embrace Diversity
When you have employees working remotely, you have the opportunity to embrace diversity in your workforce. It includes gender diversity, cultural diversity, and even diversity of thought. Embracing diversity can help you create a more innovative and successful team. In addition, by encouraging diversity, you’re showing your employees that you value their unique perspectives and backgrounds. It will help to create a more positive and productive work environment. You can encourage diversity by:
- Ensuring your hiring practices are inclusive. That means looking for candidates from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.
- Creating an environment where all employees feel comfortable expressing their unique perspectives. You can do this by fostering open communication and creating opportunities for collaboration.
- Offering training and development opportunities tailored to employees from diverse backgrounds. You can show your commitment to promoting diversity within your organization.
Encourage Social Interaction and Bonding
Friendly social interaction and bonding between team members are essential for a harmonious work environment, even if everyone is working remotely. Video chat, social media, and even phone calls can help coworkers stay connected and build relationships. When team members feel like they are part of a close-knit group, they are more likely to be productive and cohesive, which benefits the entire company. Encouraging social interaction can also help to prevent loneliness and isolation, both of which can lead to burnout. So take the time to encourage your team to interact socially, and you’ll reap both productivity and morale rewards.
Train Your Employees
When employees start working remotely, it’s important to give them thorough training on the company’s systems and processes. This will help them to hit the ground running and be productive from day one. Make sure to cover all the basics, such as accessing company resources, staying in touch with colleagues, and maintaining a professional attitude while working from home.
Ongoing training is also crucial for employees who are working remotely. As new tasks and processes arise, ensure your team has the skills and knowledge they need to complete their work effectively. Consider using online courses or webinars to deliver training, or create internal training materials that can be used as needed. Investing in employee training will ensure that your remote team can always work at its best.
Promote a Healthy Lifestyle
Being healthy is not just about working out at the gym or eating right. It’s about having a holistic approach to wellness. To promote a healthy lifestyle for employees who are working remotely, consider implementing some or all of the following tips:
- Encourage regular physical activity by setting up a virtual fitness challenge or subsidizing memberships to online workout programs.
- Make healthy eating easier by providing delivery or reimbursement for meal delivery services specializing in nutritious food.
- Promote mental health by offering access to online counseling services and encouraging employees to take breaks throughout the day to relax and de-stress.
- Offer employees incentives for living a healthy lifestyle, such as discounts on health insurance premiums or gift cards to health food stores.
Many challenges come with managing a remote team, but plenty of opportunities exist to create a productive, cohesive, and diverse workforce. Following the tips in this article can set your team up for success. So don’t wait. Start implementing these tips today and see the positive results tomorrow.
To maximize flexibility, empower your team to set their own schedules within specific guidelines. For instance, permit employees to select their start and end times, provided they fulfill a minimum of eight hours of work each day.
