Working from home can have its advantages, especially if your personal life benefits from being home. Remote work has been an increasingly popular option for many companies since 2020; in fact, according to an economic report by Upwork, 36.2 million Americans will be remote by 2025.
But being a remote employee can also feel isolating at times. Being invested in the company culture and feeling like your work matters, are sometimes difficult to achieve. If you have a team of hybrid employees, you will want to make sure they feel like a part of the team in order to be successful and lessen turnover. Here are five ways to help your remote employees feel like they are valued, seen and heard.
1. Communicate Frequently
Keeping an open dialogue of open communication is key to helping your entire team feel connected. Encouraging a culture that allows employees to voice any questions or concerns without fear of ramifications can help them feel empowered, and shows them that honesty is a value your organization prioritizes.
2. Hold an informal weekly video meeting
Having an informal meeting once a week can foster relationships between your hybrid team members. Let it be informal, with time to chat and using some prompt questions to help break the ice and open up. Seeing your team member’s faces and hearing their voices can help break down the wall that an email-only line of communication can create. It also helps create a feeling of investment in the team when you see them face-to-face.
3. Offer flexible work hours
Some people work from home because it benefits their personal life. Many parents and caregivers find that having a remote job allows them to work and take care of their families. Adding in the option for flex hours can also help the remote team feel secure in their job, as the pressure of being on from 9-5 (when their families may need them the most) can cause mental strain and pressure. If they know the organization has their back, they will in turn feel motivated to do their best work.
4. Create a mentor program
Pairing up a remote employee with an in-office one can help them feel connected to each other and the organization. Set up a system for them to get to know one another (coffee meetings, ice breakers, etc) and encourage them to share their questions and concerns with one another.
5. Use Collaboration Tools
Tools like intranets and instant messenger platforms can help your team stay connected and make communicating with each other easier. Intranets can help your hybrid team feel like they are all working in the same place, even when they’re not in the office together. Instant messaging allows for quick conversation, as if they were sitting next to each other in the workplace.
Agora Consulting Group is here to help your hybrid team stay connected. If you have been thinking about implementing an intranet to aid with organizational communication, we can help guide you through the entire process. From choosing a platform to implementation and adoption, we walk beside you every step of the way. Contact us today to set up a consultation!