5 Ways Your Remote Employees Can Be More Productive
While working remotely is about creating a flexible work environment for employees, it can also bring its own set of challenges. Remote employees are often less likely to have coworkers to chat with, making them more isolated from the office culture. This can lead to poor communication, strained relationships, and an increased risk of burnout.
5 Best Ways Your Remote Employees Can Be More Productive
Thankfully, there are many things you can do as a manager or team lead to boost productivity among your remote employees.
Help Remote Workers Feel More Connected to The Team
Working remotely can frequently bring on emotions of isolation and loneliness. Still, if you can make everyone on the team feel like they are an integral part of the operation, you can help mitigate these effects.
You can make sure you are spending time with your remote workers, connecting with them, and building a stronger sense of community among your team. This could involve setting up an employee experience platform and regular meetings with your remote employees, organizing conference calls, and regular contact with them on messaging apps.
Additionally, create opportunities for social interaction, whether planning regular team lunches or happy hours or encouraging employees to connect outside work. You can also make an effort to keep everyone updated on company news and events, even if they cannot be there in person.
It’s important to remember that though you may not see your staff every day, you still have an impact on them. Your team members’ productivity and engagement will increase when they know that you’re invested in their success and when they feel like they are valued and wanted within your team.
Equip Workers with The Right Tools
The right tools can help remote workers stay on track and be more productive. By providing your remote workers with access to the same resources as your on-site personnel, you can streamline operations, maintain quality standards and make life easier for everyone involved.
Create a digital toolbox and share it with your remote employees to ensure they have everything they need. You can create a shared workspace where all remote employees can access and store their tools, documents, and files.
Implement a project management system that allows you to assign tasks to your team members and track their progress on different projects. You can also use a shared calendar, like Google Calendar, that your team members can check and update to track their work schedule and availability.
Endorse Flexible Working Practices
Remote workers are often looking for more flexibility in their schedules, and that’s great. It’s also important to remember that they aren’t suddenly expected to be able to work every hour of every day. As a manager or team lead, be sure to offer your remote team members as much flexibility as possible.
When you manage a remote team, you can promote flexible working practices to help your employees create a work routine that works for them. This might involve negotiating flexible work arrangements with your remote employees if they have unique needs.
When employees can set their own hours, they have more freedom over their schedule, meaning they can take time off when needed. This can be particularly beneficial for employees who have children or other commitments.
Allowing flexible working arrangements can also help remote employees feel more welcomed and valued within your company. When they know that you value their input and are willing to accommodate them when they need time off, they will be far more likely to be productive and committed to the team.
Provide Feedback and Emotional Support
When managing remote workers and impacting their motivation and productivity, the most crucial component is having clear and well-organized communication. Everyone who works for the company ought to have the sense that they are appreciated and should be aware that their efforts are essential to the business’s success.
Make it a priority to maintain consistent communication with your remote workers by checking in with them daily or weekly, depending on what best suits the needs of your team. Take the time during these check-ins to inquire about how they are doing and whether there is anything you can do to be of assistance to them.
In addition to that, you should provide them with consistent feedback on their job. This could be accomplished through casual chats or more official performance assessments, in which the individual is informed of what they are doing well and where there is room for improvement.
Insist On Setting Up a Distinct Workspace
It is important to encourage your remote employees to organize a dedicated workspace at home. It can help increase their productivity by providing them with a space that is free from distractions and more conducive to work. It can also help reduce their stress levels by giving them a designated area to focus on their work and not worry about other household tasks or family members.
In addition, it enables them to manage their time better and the obligations they have, which can assist enhance the work-life balance. It is also a good way to show your employees that you are invested in their performance and that you want to assist them in becoming as successful and productive as possible.
You may choose to invest in and subsidize your staff’s use of home offices if your budget permits. If they require a second monitor or a standing desk converter, you should provide them with one of these items. Not only will this make your employees more productive, but it will also show that you care about them, which will earn you their undying allegiance.
It is quite important to maintain communication with your team of remote employees to ensure they are receiving all they require to function at a higher level of productivity. Maintain awareness of the current demands placed on them, and be prepared to step in and provide assistance whenever required.
Maintain open and frequent communication. Maintain communication with the other team members and hold frequent meetings to discuss the goals, concerns, and progress made. Check that everyone is on the same page and has the resources required to achieve their goals.
