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Corona changed our lives in various ways. The shift from office work to working from home has probably been the biggest change for many. Yet we are increasingly accustomed to the new normal, and this new work situation sometimes feels as if it has always been this way. Working from home is here to stay and will only grow in popularity in the future.
More and more, our lives seem to be evolving towards a 'phygital' lifestyle. This is a way of living that combines the physical aspect (going to work, meeting colleagues…) with a digital aspect. During the podcast with Inge Van Belle (a must-hear if you want to learn more about employee engagement during these bizarre times), we already discussed how employees' mindsets are changing. At the start of the lockdown, employees were notably positive about working from home: avoiding traffic jams, working in a familiar environment, being more productive, and so on. Unfortunately, this positive mindset is coming to an end. Remote workers are longing again for the social aspect (seeing colleagues, feeling part of a team, informal chats in the hallway…). Employees working from home more often experience loneliness and also find it harder to access (internal) information.
Time for a new wave of employee engagement tips!
What is employee engagement?
Employee engagement is the level of involvement between an employee and their employer. It contributes to job satisfaction and productivity and is a very important factor in employee turnover. The more engaged your employees are with your company, the more willingly and longer they will work for the business. It is therefore even more important during this difficult period to invest in employee engagement, especially for remote workers.
How do you increase the engagement of your remote workers?
1. Provide your team with the necessary 'tools'
Make sure your remote workers have everything they need.
A major frustration for remote workers is not having access to everything available at the office. Therefore, provide packages that fulfill this need. This can range from the right software tools and office supplies to perform their job well, to other office perks like coffee, drinks, and food.
2. Bring your team together (corona-proof)
Arrange team-building activities (corona-proof). Replace the Friday afternoon drinks with a video call where everyone can catch up. Prefer a physical meeting? Herculean Alliance offers team-building activities that respect social distancing. These activities are directly linked to the company’s mission and vision, which further increases your employees' engagement.
Besides physical team-building, you can of course also choose a digital alternative. For example, schedule a call to catch up on things happening outside of work. There are also plenty of games, such as quizzes, that you can play remotely.
3. Give a sincere thank you!
Give plenty of attention to a sincere virtual thank you!
Thank your remote workers for their extra effort during this bizarre period. This can be with a gift, but a genuine thank you also works wonders! Take the time to talk with your employees and sincerely thank them for what they do.
4. Do the necessary check-ins
Provide structured check-ins via various communication channels.
Imagine a situation where you only talk to your friends via text messages. Terrible, right? At work, one communication channel is not enough either. So make sure you check in regularly and in a structured way with your employees. This way, you are immediately aware of any problems, and remote workers feel they can rely on their employer.
5. Show appreciation and support
Offer emotional support and be there for your remote workers.
We are currently in a strange situation that can bring unexpected emotions to everyone. Stress, anxiety, and uncertainty are not only hindering efficiency but also the overall health of your employees. Offer support and help your employees get through this period as smoothly as possible.
6. Celebrate achievements!
Work hard, play hard: a phrase that has become harder and harder to realize in recent months. Make time to celebrate! Celebrate the end of a project, a won contract, an email from a satisfied customer… a personal goal achieved or birthdays! This way, you send your employees the message that your company is about more than just work.
Conclusion
Employee engagement is definitely indispensable during these corona times. Fortunately, there are various ways to involve your remote workers more, even without physical contact!
Which steps will you take in the coming weeks? Be sure to let us know via our social media channels!
Our snack box can already be an ideal gift to start with :-).