5 Tips for Engaging Remote Workers,EmployeeExperience, Magazine, Spring/Summer 2020

Keeping remote employees happy isn't complicated—ask them what they may need and make sure they feel included. Try these tips for remote employee engagement.

1. Provide a platform for effective communication

As with all things in business and relationships, communication is key. Use technology to stay in sync. It’s especially important to be able to work closely with the entire team, even when they’re not in the same office. Managers may need a glimpse into what the team is working on — while resisting the temptation to micromanage the process.

Tip: Using project management solutions, collaboration platforms, and document sharing tools, like Google Docs or Dropbox, help employees work together easily.

2. Small Talk Matters

Water cooler chat, or whatever you want to call a break for idle talk, is important to all workers. Not every communication with employees needs to be workfocused. Send the occasional offtopic email, instant message or funny GIF.

Tip: Plan a virtual lunch once a week or so. Spend the first 15 minutes only discussing business and then chat about personal things or anything else while eating. Daily chats or texts have a tremendous impact on providing inclusion for teleworkers.

3. Develop Remote Onboarding Activities

Without clear direction, remote employees may feel out of the loop. Not knowing what to do next or who to turn to may leave them disengaged. Just as you onboard a new employee, make sure remote employees know tips, tools and processes to help them succeed.

Tip: Create an online scavenger hunt to answer key questions like: What is the best way to contact your manager? (Email, text or another tool?) What is the procedure if you are sick or need time off? What is expected?

Additional Tip: Use an icebreaker game such as “Two Truths and A Lie” to make introductions and uncover common bonds among employees. Do your best to make onboarding activities memorable and interactive.

4. Emphasize Meeting Presence

Attendance during virtual meetings is important. When planning meetings with remote employees, be respectful and help engage everyone by reducing distracting noise, letting them know who is in the room and asking for their feedback whenever possible. There is such a thing as too much. If a meeting is not necessary, don’t schedule one just because it was agreed to address a specific project every day at 8:30am. Communicate when necessary, and then leave the remote employee alone to do their job.

Tip: Make it easier for everyone to contribute by sending meeting agendas and materials ahead of time. Tele and videoconferencing tools such as Skype and Google Hangouts can build cohesion, no matter where participants are.

5. Recognize great work

Check in with your team often to see how they are doing. Regular praise and shoutouts are important as well. Be sure to recognize big achievements and publicly announce those to the team. Tip: Newer communication and collaboration tools make highly visible recognition very simple. The best way to motivate people, regardless of where they are, is rewarding positive behaviors.

By using these strategies, you can help your remote workforce feel more connected. A more connected employee is more engaged, and ultimately more productive!