The purpose of offering employees the benefit of a remote work arrangement is to introduce flexibility in their routine. As a result, they are able to maintain a work-life balance.
One question that plagues employees and employers alike is, “How to stay motivated?”
Some employers believe that remote work is a silent productivity killer. Since employees have no one monitoring them in a formal environment, they are free to do whatever they please.
Meaning: They can take powernaps, have elaborate meals instead of a rushed sandwich and take their dog for a walk. However, these small perks help employees destress, and they are able to work with a fresh mind.
According to a study by the Becker Friedman Institute, remote work helped save two hours weekly per worker from 2021 to 2022. Employees allocated 40% of their time to work and 11% to self-care activities. That’s more than 45 minutes spent on work weekly!
Now that we have established the lure of remote work for employees and employers, let’s take a look at how to increase productivity:
Offer Employees Autonomy
Employee autonomy refers to the level of decision-making authority and independence given to employees. It goes beyond simply assigning tasks and micromanaging employees’ work. Instead, it allows them to have a say in how they approach their work, make decisions, and contribute to the business’s overall goals.
When employees are given this power, they often develop a stronger sense of purpose in their work. Understanding how their contributions align with the business’s goals fuels a greater commitment to achieving those objectives.
Provide the Right Tools
Ensure that remote workers have the necessary technology and equipment to perform their tasks efficiently. This includes a reliable internet connection, suitable hardware, and software tools.
Invest in collaboration platforms such as Google Meetings, Slack or Zoom to facilitate seamless sharing of documents and real-time collaboration. Certain etiquettes need to be followed for Zoom meetings, such as putting the speaker on mute when not talking, sitting in an empty room, and wearing appropriate clothing. Teach your employees how to use LiveWebinar and customize features when arranging video conferences so they align with the business’s best practices.
Loom is another tool that facilitates communication in a unique way. It allows people to record meetings and add commentary to them.
Reduce Video Conferences
Are you familiar with the term Zoom fatigue?
It refers to the feelings of exhaustion, tiredness, and burnout that employees experience after participating in back-to-back virtual meetings.
In traditional face-to-face meetings, employees are not always under continuous visual scrutiny. On the other hand, in virtual meetings, they often feel the need to appear attentive, maintain eye contact, and stay engaged throughout the entire session. This constant need for presence is mentally draining and increases self-consciousness.
Limit video conferences to update at the end of the day. If you need to talk to someone, email them and shoot them a message so they know how urgent the matter is. Moreover, consider shorter meeting durations when possible.
Recognize and Reward
Publicly recognize and celebrate the achievements of remote employees. This boosts morale and motivates employees to continue performing at their best. Consider implementing incentive programs or rewards for meeting specific goals. This creates a sense of accomplishment, giving employees the impression that they are of great value to the company.
In conclusion, remote work has great potential to increase productivity, but its success hinges on a combination of factors, including offering employees autonomy, ensuring they have the right tools to work efficiently, minimizing interruptions and rewarding them for their hard work.
