Having a job no longer necessarily means going into an office. A recent study by Pew Research estimates that about 14% (about 22 million) people in the United States are currently working from home all the time.
How can employers ensure these workers are building relationships with their team members and contributing to a positive company culture? This is the BIG question and one that has caused some organizations to implement a “return to the office” mandate. However, it’s short-sighted to believe that remote employees can’t be fully engaged ones, because they can. Building a strong and engaged remote workforce takes a bit of tenacity and creativity, but it’s entirely possible.
The Challenges of Engaging Remote Employees
Keeping employees engaged is never simple, but remote workers present unique challenges. Five of the biggest ones are:
- Lack of in-person interactions. This issue is obvious since the nature of remote work means the person isn’t physically in the office. This distance can cause the employee to feel isolated and disconnected from the team and company, which can dampen their engagement.
- Problems with trust-building. Managers may struggle to identify and address remote employees’ needs. The employee may lack the validation and support they need to perform well.
- Distractions. Working away from the office can tempt workers to knock out housekeeping tasks, talk to friends, nap, or watch their favorite TV show. These distractions can distract from their commitment to work and create a lack of focus.
- Burnout. Remote work can blur the lines between professional and personal life. Employees may find it more difficult to “turn off work” without the physical separation on-site workers enjoy. This can erode work satisfaction and lead to burnout.
- Communication barriers.Using digital communication tools helps dial in remote workers. However, they can lack the nuances of in-person conversations. Misinterpreting information is more likely to happen, which can cause employees to not be on the same page. Inefficient communication can cause remote workers to feel disconnected and ill-informed, which can negatively impact their engagement.
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12 Remote Employee Engagement Activities
Employers need to put resources into engaging remote employees to maintain productivity and a strong work culture. Here are 12 activities companies can use to engage and inspire their team members who work outside the office.
Implement online communication tools.
Lack of communication is one of the biggest potential downsides to a remote workforce. Giving employees ways to communicate clearly is often crucial for building strong communication channels within teams and across departments. Tools like Slack and Zoom, along with a robust customer relationship management (CRM) system, facilitate information-sharing and keep everyone in the loop.
- What it accomplishes: Employees can use these tools to share information and stay updated with their co-workers.
Pair up remote and on-site employees.
Assigning a remote worker with an on-site counterpart can forge relationships that may not have otherwise blossomed. This can be a two-way mentoring arrangement, where they help each other learn more about the company and their roles in its success. Or, it can strictly be a personal one with set interactions where they get to know each other.
- What it accomplishes: These pairings can decrease the isolation a remote employee feels and can help them stay informed and engaged.
Ask for remote employee feedback.
Showing remote workers that their opinions and thoughts are valued can help them stay engaged. Requesting feedback is a productive vehicle for this, as it gives them an open channel to express what they think about a project, goals, or the company as a whole. The feedback can be gathered in a survey or during a virtual meeting.
- What it accomplishes: Asking for feedback gives remote employees a voice and allows them to contribute to how the company is run.
Offer online development programs.
Providing access to online training, webinars, and workshops gives employees a chance to hone existing skills and develop new ones. They may take away new expertise that will help them move forward in their careers.
- What it accomplishes: By showing that the organization is invested in helping employees grow, they are more likely to feel like they are part of the team (even if they don’t physically come to work).
Follow a robust rewards and accolades policy.
Positive validation can go a long way toward helping employees feel validated and appreciated for the work they do. Create a reward system where people who hit certain goals or go the extra mile get extra PTO, gift cards, or other perks. Make sure the entire company hears about the results.
- What it accomplishes: Recognition and awards can increase employee morale, boost engagement, and motivate them to continue performing at a high level.
Set up multi-player games.
Use online platforms like TriviaMaker and Fundoo Friday to host fun, interactive games during meetings. Employers can choose either fast, 5-minute games or longer, half-hour games, depending on how much time is available.
- What it accomplishes: Games are FUN! Plus, they encourage teamwork, break up work monotony, and foster a sense of camaraderie with team members.
Hold (short) video meetings.
Toiling away in a home office day after day can make a person feel like they’re all alone in the world. Teams should meet at least once a week via video to talk about tasks and discuss upcoming initiatives. And yes, everyone’s camera needs to be on.
- What it accomplishes: Even though they aren’t together, people on a video call will feel like they have met with others, which will help decrease the feelings of isolation.
Start a book or movie club.
This is one of the most fun remote employee engagement activities on the list. Invite employees to join either a book or movie club. Decide what the group will read or see next and then schedule a virtual meeting to talk about it.
- What it accomplishes: Book and movie clubs allow remote employees to bond over similar interests. It also helps them share their ideas and learn to listen to those who may not agree with them.
Provide remote volunteer opportunities.
Choose a non-profit organization that aligns with your company’s mission and offers virtual volunteering. This may be tutoring, mentoring, or another type of activity. Ask remote and on-site employees to give some time to the worthy cause.
- What it accomplishes: Volunteering helps enhance team spirit through giving back and helps employees feel good about themselves.
Send out regular interactive polls.
Create and send out a poll with a few questions and ask each employee to answer. These can be work-related questions regarding projects or technology, or they can be for entertainment purposes only. Review the answers and translate them into an announcement about what the majority thinks.
- What it accomplishes: Simply answering the poll gets remote employees engaged and seeing the results can spark conversations with other workers who may think like they do.
Virtual lunches or happy hours.
Host a lunch or a happy hour once or twice a month, where employees can enjoy their favorite food or beverage and visit others. You can set a theme for each one or just allow conversation to flow naturally. Not everyone may want to eat on camera – but something that is not work related to bring folks together casually and informally can help them connect and build a stronger team bond.
- What it accomplishes: This downtime provides vital social interaction for remote employees and helps strengthen co-worker relationships.
Organize an online wellness challenge.
Set a goal like a number of steps per day, pounds lost, or meditation minutes that will help employees manage stress and stay healthy. Ask the participants to share their progress, especially their wins.
- What it accomplishes: Wellness challenges get remote employees involved with each other and promote physical and mental well-being.
Keeping Remote Employees Engaged is Essential for Success
Saying “I’m going to work” no longer automatically means the person is leaving the house. With remote work looking like it’s here to stay, employers must stay agile in using resources to keep every employee motivated and engaged. Doing so can be challenging, but it’s not impossible.
These remote employee engagement activities can help employers reach their off-site workforce and keep them just as engaged and productive as their on-site counterparts.
