In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, many employees are working out of their homes exclusively. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best ways to keep your culture and employee collaboration alive during the pandemic.
When working remotely, it is crucial that you invest in the necessary communication tools to ensure that employees feel connected to the company. Zoom allows employees to share computer screens and video, while Slack can help employees communicate with each other while also limiting the amount of email sent and received daily. You can create channels on Slack that allow employees to have fun socializing with one another, as long as it is done in moderation and is work appropriate. One company we know of created a channel called “How Was Your Weekend?” to allow employees to share and post pictures of their weekend highlights.
Individuals who are working from a home office often miss social interaction. To solve this problem, consider using the video function with Zoom, or other online meeting options, so employees can still see one another even though they are working from home. You can also pair up employees to work on large projects so they will be forced to communicate with one another. Daily huddles are also a great way to ensure employees are interacting with one another on a daily basis. Make sure all employees have at least one way they can keep in touch with other employees regularly.
To encourage your employees and help them to feel like they are really part of the team, be sure to regularly offer recognition for accomplishments. When an employee works remotely, he or she often misses out on the regular reinforcement of the company’s mission, as well as recognition for accomplishments. You should implement a system that ensures your remote staff still feels included and is not forgotten.
Avoid trying to micromanage employees to compensate for the fact that you do not see them on a daily basis. However, you still need to measure productivity and hold employees accountable for their work. Employees should set and work towards goals to show that they are actually working during the day. It has been shown that remote employees can be highly productive when managed properly.
The best way to make your remote employees feel included is to check in with them frequently as well as promote collaboration with other employees. Model this good behavior to everyone and you will quickly see your remote employees and company culture thriving.
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