The popularity of remote work is growing. As Millennials and Gen Z join the workforce, more of them expect to be able to work from home.
A 2016 Gallup Poll stated that 43% of workers worked from home at least some of the time (up from 39% in 2012). That percentage is expected to increase as jobs are automated and technology improves.
But, while many remote employees split their time between home and the office, there are plenty of employees who work from home every single day.
Even though remote employees cite work-life balance and flexibility as the key perks of telecommuting, there are downsides, too. People who work from home often suffer from isolation, which may lead to depression. And traditional managers struggle to make remote employees feel like part of the team.
Here’s how to foster a strong workplace culture by including your remote employees.
1) Make Team Communication Seamless
This tip might seem obvious, but are there ever employees who are “out of the loop”? Are decisions discussed, and then never acted upon?
Managing a team is hard, and managing a team where members live in different places is even harder. To remedy blips in communication, have everyone use project management software like Asana. These project management programs allow you to assign tasks to employees, keep track of deadlines, and communicate in real-time within the program.
2) Use a Chat Application as a “Watercooler”
Requiring remote employees to be logged onto a chat application while they’re working may seem unproductive. But chances are, most at-home employees appreciate the chance to socialize with their coworkers.
When your entire team is present on a chat app like Slack, they can share stories, exchange ideas, and foster innovation. Programs like Discord allow you to set up different “channels,” or chat-rooms, within an employee-wide server. Creating channels like “problems to solve,” “venting,” and more gives all of your employees a safe, constructive space to talk it out with others.
3) Celebrate with Everyone
Thanks to videoconferencing applications like Zoom and Skype, you can celebrate milestones, birthdays, and holidays from anywhere.
It’s important to celebrate a remote employee’s birthday the same way you would an in-house employee’s — and while you may not be able to mail cake, you can still send over a gift-card.
Letting your employees communicate face-to-face over Skype is a great way to foster a sense of community.
4) Require Status Reports from Everyone
One way to keep your team on the same page is to require everyone to fill out a status report detailing what they accomplished during the week.
The report doesn’t have to be long — but requiring the same report from both in-house and remote employees can create a sense of cohesiveness.
After all, you’re all on the same team, working toward a common goal.Vodigy Networks is a trusted custom software provider to the St. Paul and Minneapolis area. We specialize in providing expert guidance and assistance to businesses. If you need help integrating software with your business, contact us today!
