Engaging Remote Staff

Dr. April Scott Read

Research has shown that effective performance management helps increase employee engagement. By now, you should be well into managing a remote team due to the pandemic routine. Nevertheless, organizations are still wondering, how can we foster a safe environment to thrive and connect with each other while working remote?

Use these tips to help engage your colleagues within a remote workplace.

Seven Ways to Engage your Remote Workforce

1.     Offer encouraging and emotional support: Maintain your 1:1 check-ins. Be sure to inquire about:

o  How they are the pandemic (i.e work-life balance). 

o  Ensure they are aware of your organization’s Wellness Services.

2.     Set Clear Expectations: Schedule 15 - 30-minute team check-ins via WebEx or Zoom. When possible, ask staff to have their video camera on so that you can see each other faces.

3.     Be Mindful: Schedule a live three-minute mindfulness mediation session team meeting via WebEx or Zoom to help relieve stress.

4.     Engage in Small Talk: According to one study by Slack, 85% of workers want to feel closer to their remote colleagues.

o  Create a WebEx Team Chat Group and name it “Virtual Water Cooler Chats” designed for sharing a joke of the day, resources for kids/families, inspirational quotes - anything that may be helpful but not directly work related.

5.     Hold Each Other Accountable: Assign check-in buddies. Split your team into groups and have them check-in on each other throughout the work day.

6.     Continue to Educate and Develop: Explore additional learning resources created by John Hopkins for Managing Remote Teams.

7.     Celebrate: Continue to celebrate your team’s success via Friday virtual Happy Hour Sessions.

For additional remote resources, please refer to: A Guide to Managing Your (Newly) Remote Workers.