Handling a remote workforce comes with its own set of challenges.
Companies are adapting to virtual work environments in a lot of exciting new ways. From the culture to the technology, remote work can benefit from simple changes. Even finding the best Google meet background can make a big difference.
Offer Healthy Work-Life Balance
Just because employees are available at the push of a button, doesn’t mean companies should take advantage of that. Cutting the commute frees up a lot of time for workers, and you should let them keep it.
Don’t start the workday earlier or end it later to make use of this additional time.
Instantaneous communication and the convenience of being at home also don’t mean that employees need less time for lunch. Keep it an hour to allow your employees time to decompress, rest, and enjoy their food. Their productivity will soar.
It’s important to set up healthy boundaries when work is brought into the home. Don’t pressure employees to respond to communication after the work day ends, or put in an extra effort off the clock. Show trust and don’t participate in over-the-top surveillance.
Workers can maintain their privacy during video calls with a zoom background with a logo.
Advocate for Mental Health and Wellness
Working from home can be lonely if your employees are used to having a lot of co-workers around. Other bad habits such as procrastination can also sneak in. Acknowledge this and offer services to help anyone who is struggling.
Having a counselor to talk to, or a support group to attend, can do wonders for mental health.
Cultivate a company culture of openness and understanding by addressing wellness topics frequently. You can send monthly tips or remind workers of counseling services often. Transparency is the key to a happy workforce.
Rewarding employees generously can also create a welcoming environment. Positive reinforcement always works better than discipline. Workers who feel appreciated will remain loyal and always give their best effort.
Create Opportunities for Virtual Team Bonding
Speaking of the isolation of working from home, it’s easy to lose sight of how important socializing is for employees. A team that gets along well will do better work together. When people are comfortable with each other, they are also more likely to communicate effectively.
A happy team is also a big morale booster.
It’s important not to push team bonding too formally. That makes it feel like a task to complete, not a time to be social.
Keep a video or messaging break-out room open, kind of like a virtual water cooler. Encourage self-expression with silly free zoom backgrounds office. Hold remote events every so often to celebrate birthdays, holidays, or company milestones.
Moving into the future, remote working life will only get better. As companies learn how to manage a remote workforce and take advantage of all the tools available, employees will feel supported and included, even from hundreds of miles away.
Look for software and applications that can make life easier for your employees online.