Working from home has become a common occurrence in many industries, but it’s not without its challenges. One of the main issues remote workers face is feeling disengaged and disconnected from their team. This can quickly lead to a decrease in productivity and performance.

We are social and collaborative creatures by nature, so it’s important to find ways to keep your remote employees engaged. As a manager, you can help them feel valued and connected by implementing a collaborative remote work environment.

Ways To Keep Your Remote Workers Engage and Productive

While working remotely has its perks, it can also lead to employees feeling isolated and disconnected from their team. As a manager, you can help them feel valued and connected by implementing a collaborative remote work environment.

Why is Employee Engagement Important?

Employee engagement is a key driver of productivity and performance. When employees feel valued and connected to their team, they are more likely to be engaged in their work.

When you have an engaged workforce, you can expect to see improved communication, increased productivity, and reduced turnover.

10 Ways To Keep Remote Employees Engage

Here are creative ways to engage your remote employees and keep them productive:

1 Encourage informal check-ins

One of the best ways to stay connected with your team is to encourage regular informal check-ins. This can be done through quick video chats, phone calls, or even just a quick chat on Slack.

2 Make time for socializing

Just because your team is remote doesn’t mean they don’t crave social interaction. Make time for socializing by scheduling regular virtual happy hours, coffee chats, or lunch breaks.

3 Create opportunities for collaboration

Working on projects together is a great way to engage employees and promote collaboration. Use a project management tool like Asana or Trello to assign tasks and track progress.

4 Encourage healthy competition

You can engage your team and promote a little healthy competition by hosting virtual scavenger hunts, trivia contests, or other fun games.

5 Make sure employees have the resources they need

Ensure that your employees have the resources they need to do their job by setting up a remote work policy. This policy should include guidelines for communication, collaboration, and technology.

6 Encourage employees to take breaks

Working from home can be isolating, so it’s important to encourage employees to take breaks throughout the day. This can be done by scheduling regular breaks into the workday or providing employees with access to a wellness program.

7 Recognize and celebrate achievements

Make sure to recognize and celebrate employee achievements, both big and small. This can be done through public recognition, awards, or simply saying thank you.

8 Stay connected with regular communication

One of the most important things you can do as a manager is to stay connected with your team. This can be done through regular one-on-one meetings, all-hands calls, or companywide newsletters.

9 Get feedback and give praise

Make sure to get feedback from your team on a regular basis and give them praise when warranted. This will help you identify areas of improvement and keep your team motivated.

10 Make remote work fun

Last but not least, make sure to have some fun! Working from home can be monotonous, so spice things up with virtual costume parties, themed days, or other fun activities.

Trust Your Remote Team

As a manager, it’s important to trust your team and give them the freedom to work independently. This can be done by setting clear expectations, providing adequate resources, and giving employees regular feedback.

The best way to show trust is through actions, not words. If you want your team to be productive and engaged, give them the autonomy to work how they best see fit.

Don’t micromanage, and resist the urge to constantly check-in. This will only serve to frustrate your team and hinder their productivity.

The Bottom Line

The key to keeping remote employees engaged and productive is regular communication, trust, and respect. By following the tips listed above, you can create a positive work environment that will promote engagement and productivity.

What are some other important factors to consider when trying to engage remote employees? Share your thoughts with us!