Remote Work

Over the last eight months, work as we know it has shifted. In an effort to keep operations moving forward, many organizations are relying solely on remote work for the unforeseeable future. As we head into the winter months and new waves of the pandemic sweep the nation, the realities of work will continue to adjust. Those business leaders who want to embrace company culture in the “new world” will need to develop new conversations and answer existential questions around the future of work.

One of the biggest hurdles to comprehensive remote work guidelines in the past has been an absence of trust from managers and executive teams that their remote workers can sustain productivity outside of the office. For years, despite trusting employees, managers still preferred the supervision that an office environment allows. With no other option but to work remotely over the last several months, managers who were once skeptical are now beginning to have confidence in their remote employees. Now, the second barrier among managers and leadership teams is tackling how to build and sustain company culture as employees work remotely.

Studies show that remote employees have traditionally felt isolated and disconnected from corporate culture. Yet, many corporations of all sizes are proving that it is absolutely possible to keep remote workers happy and in the loop while achieving excellent company culture. Companies that are purpose-driven and move to embrace the remote employee experience will discover more productive and content employees in the future of flexible employment. The following tips may help your own company move in that direction.

Keep Communication Lines Open

Employees working together in the same office easily share decisions and corporate messages. They stay in-the-know simply by impromptu meetings and frequent or informal conversations. By communicating and over communicating to ensure you build an internal messaging plan, you help to put remote employees first. By sharing messages more repeatedly and far more than you have previous done, you help cascade information through all channels and to all employees. In addition, executives that keep an open-door policy (even virtually) create an “ask me anything” atmosphere which allows employees to ask questions and share issues that are top of mind.

Technology is Key

More and more studies indicate that even after the COVID-19 crisis is over, workers will transition to working a few days from home. Companies who build a virtual company culture using numerous technology platforms for communications and collaborations will see the highest rates of success. Technology is the cornerstone of building an integrated and wide-ranging relationship between team members and management. Options such as Slack, Monday, Basecamp, Skype can be used on various devices for optimal communication.

Of course, the best tech for remote workers does not end with communication software platforms. Offering cloud services and cyber security options to avoid the biggest barriers to effective collaboration is crucial. Employers need to ensure that each employee is equipped with the computers they need, communication headsets, and companywide security systems to avoid malware and obtain optimal company wide performance.
Added:

Video Fatigue Is Real

In an all-remote work environment it is important to keep in mind that video fatigue is real. Employees with back-to-back Zoom, Google Hangout, or Skype meetings can lead to employee dissatisfaction and burnout. Instead, make expectations clear to all remote employees about team meetings, check-ins, and calls. Allowing employees the right to turn off their video if they feel so inclined can create a more natural and comfortable work environment. Also, keep in mind that not every meeting needs to be a video meeting. Giving employees a break and doing an audio call can help keep workers motivated and engaged.

As our current work environment shifts, making an effort to acknowledge individual workers as well as the collaborative team can fuel positive attitudes and encourage an engaging remote-first work culture. Letting go of the idea that company culture only exists inside the brick and mortar of offices and embracing optimism towards a great remote company culture will create more rewarding and satisfying lives for your employees.