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Corona changed our lives in many ways. The shift from office work to working from home has probably been the biggest change for most of us. Still, we're getting more and more used to the new normal, and this new work situation sometimes feels like it's always been this way. Working from home is here to stay, and it'll only become more popular in the future.
More and more, our lives seem to be evolving towards a 'phygital' lifestyle. This is a way of living where the physical aspect (going to work, meeting up with colleagues...) is combined with a digital one. During the podcast with Inge Van Belle (a must-listen if you want to know more about employee engagement during these strange times), we already talked about how employees' mindsets are changing. At the start of the lockdown, employees were surprisingly positive about working from home: no more traffic jams, working in a familiar environment, feeling more productive, and so on. Unfortunately, that positive mindset is starting to fade. People working from home are craving the social side again (seeing colleagues, feeling part of a team, casual chats by the coffee machine...). Employees working from home more often feel lonely and find it harder to access (internal) information.
Time for a fresh wave of employee engagement tips!
What is employee engagement?
Employee engagement is the level of connection between an employee and their employer. It contributes to job satisfaction and productivity, and it's a major factor in staff turnover. The more engaged your employees are with your company, the happier they are and the longer they'll stay. That makes it even more important to invest in employee engagement during this tricky period, especially for those working from home.
How do you boost engagement among your remote workers?
1. Give your team the right tools
Make sure your remote workers have everything they need.
A big frustration for people working from home is not having access to everything that's available at the office. So put together packages that meet this need. This can range from the right software tools and office supplies to do their job properly, to other office perks like coffee, drinks, and snacks.
2. Bring your team together (corona-proof)
Organise team-building activities (corona-proof, of course). Swap the Friday afternoon drinks for a video call where everyone can catch up. Prefer meeting in person? Herculean Alliance offers team-building activities that respect social distancing. These activities are directly linked to the company's mission and vision, giving your employees' engagement an extra boost.
Besides in-person team building, you can of course also go for a digital alternative. Plan a call, for example, to catch up on things happening outside of work. There are also plenty of games, like quizzes, that you can play remotely.
3. Give a heartfelt thank you!
Give plenty of attention to a genuine, virtual thank you!
Thank your remote workers for their extra effort during this strange period. A gift works, but a sincere thank you does wonders too! Take the time to really talk to your employees and thank them properly for what they do.
4. Do the necessary check-ins
Set up structured check-ins across different communication channels.
Imagine only talking to your friends by text message. Pretty awful, right? At work, one communication channel isn't enough either. So make sure you check in with your employees regularly and in a structured way. This way, you'll know right away if there are any issues, and your remote workers will feel like they can lean on you as an employer.
5. Show appreciation and support
Offer emotional support and be there for your remote workers.
We're currently in an unusual situation that can bring up unexpected emotions in anyone. Stress, anxiety, and uncertainty don't just get in the way of efficiency — they also affect your employees' overall wellbeing. Offer support and help your employees get through this period as smoothly as possible.
6. Celebrate achievements!
Work hard, play hard: a phrase that's become harder and harder to live up to these past few months. Make time to celebrate! Celebrate the end of a project, a quote you won, an email from a happy customer... a personal goal achieved, or a birthday! This shows your employees that your company is about more than just work.
Conclusion
Employee engagement is definitely not something to overlook during these corona times. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to keep your remote workers more engaged, even without physical contact!
What steps will you take in the coming weeks? Let us know on our social media channels!
Our snack box could be the perfect gift to get you started :-).