While work from home became a norm during the covid-19 pandemic and quite a popular norm, the fact remains that it could never even be considered a possibility before the pandemic hit. The solution that work from home provided during the pandemic, i.e., the disconnect between employees, is also the primary reason it wasn’t considered a possibility before the pandemic.
This disconnect between employees remains despite the popularity of work from home. Post covid-19 pandemic, when the popularity of work-from-home has become a driving factor for the Great Resignation, it has become challenging for employers to keep remote employees motivated and boost morale.
If you are a team leader, you can make this task easier for yourself through the following tips:
Stay in Touch as You Would at the Office
Working in the same space improves communication because it allows people to see each other and talk to each other at any moment. When employees work remotely, team leaders and colleagues can hesitate to communicate simply because they cannot see each other. But there is no reason for team leaders not to communicate with their team members during work hours. Text, call or drop voice messages whenever you feel the need.
Constant communication from team leaders will also allow the employees to stop hesitating and become more confident. Employees who never worked from the office because they joined during the covid-19 pandemic can especially find constant communication by their team leaders helpful. It can help them feel like they are a part of the team, which can greatly boost morale.
Schedule Social Meetings
Remote employees, especially those who joined work during the covid-19 pandemic, never get a chance to socialize with their colleagues or team members. The lack of socialization can also hinder effective communication at work. However, team leaders can get some help by organizing non-work meetings.
When working from the office, socializing over lunch or between work is common among employees. Team leaders can organize virtual team meets over lunch hours for remote employees to help socialize and get to know each other. Team leaders can also organize digital games that can be played among team members to help break the ice between them.
Offer and Organize Team Development Sessions
Even with all its advantages, working from home can get boring and monotonous. However, team leaders can break this monotony by organizing digital training for employees. The development sessions and training can help employees learn more about their work, improve it, and grow as a professional.
Training at the workplace also shows employees that they are trusted as employees, that the organization sees their capabilities and potential to grow, and that they aren’t afraid to invest time and money in their professional growth.
Last but not least, don’t forget to share the progress of remote employees with them from time to time. Monthly or quarterly performance reports can help remote employees assess their work output and how they can improve even as they continue to work from home. Learning that their performance has been constant or improving can also boost morale of remote employees.
