Remote Work Chronicles: Tips for Productivity and Wellbeing

In the evolving landscape of work, remote work has transitioned from a temporary solution to a permanent fixture in many organizations. For mid-sized government contracting companies like ours, the increase in remote work has presented unique challenges and opportunities. With remote work, we have been able to attract a larger pool of talent from across the U.S. While this has been a great benefit to our growth as a company, ensuring that our company culture does not get lost on remote individuals can be a challenge. Balancing productivity and wellbeing in a remote environment is crucial to maintaining a motivated, efficient, and happy workforce. In today’s piece, we will discuss some remote workplace tips that promote productivity and wellbeing.

Establish a Routine

One way to increase productivity and wellbeing while working remotely is to establish a routine. Without the structure of a traditional office environment, it is easy to let the work hours blur into personal time. Of course, one of the benefits of remote work is the flexibility that comes with it. An attractive feature of remote work is the ability to accomplish everything you would at an office while also having a little bit of flexibility with your time. However, implementing work time and personal time boundaries is important when working remotely. Having a consistent boundary between work and personal life is healthy both for the individual and for the company as a whole. At D&G, we encourage our team members to have a work-life balance and do whatever we can to help cultivate that for our people. We are mindful of our team’s personal time and understand the importance of family.

Promote Regular Breaks

Promoting regular breaks is vital to maintaining productivity and preventing burnout. Encouraging short, frequent breaks can help maintain focus and energy levels throughout the day. The Pomodoro Technique, which involves 25 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break, is particularly effective. Longer breaks for lunch or a walk can also rejuvenate the mind and body, leading to better overall performance. Scheduling these breaks into the workday ensures they are taken consistently. Encouraging employees to step away from their screens during breaks can prevent digital fatigue and promote better mental health.

Foster a Culture of Communication

Fostering a culture of communication is essential for a successful remote work environment. Open and effective communication helps in building trust and collaboration among team members. Regular check-ins and team meetings provide opportunities for employees to share their progress, discuss challenges, and seek support. Virtual social gatherings can also help in maintaining a sense of community and camaraderie. Providing multiple channels for communication ensures that everyone can participate in a way that is comfortable for them. Transparent communication from leadership about company updates and changes helps in keeping everyone informed and aligned. We host several virtual social events throughout the year, including virtual holiday parties. This helps to keep our remote workforce engaged and is a way to connect with D&G team members across the U.S. Virtual companywide challenges, games, and competitions are often a way that we interact with our remote team members.

Prevent Disengagement

Remote personnel can sometimes become less engaged if not given the proper attention. When team members are working in isolation, they can feel disconnected from the company’s mission and their colleagues. This sense of isolation can lead to decreased motivation and productivity. Regular interactions and inclusive communication strategies are essential to prevent this. It's important to ensure that remote team members feel valued and part of the team. A lack of face-to-face interaction can make it harder to build relationships and feel a sense of belonging. Proactively addressing these challenges by fostering a supportive and inclusive environment can help maintain high levels of engagement and satisfaction among remote workers.

Set Clear Goals and Expectations

Finally, setting clear goals and expectations is crucial for maintaining productivity in a remote work environment. Without an in-office setting, expectations and goals must be clearly communicated and laid out. Using goal-setting frameworks like SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) provides clear direction and purpose. Regularly reviewing and adjusting these goals ensures they remain relevant and achievable. Providing regular feedback and recognition for achieving goals is essential. This is something that we do with all of our team members, not just our remote workforce. However, especially for remote team members where there is less day-to-day interaction, having these regular check-ins and performance review cycles where clear goals and expectations are set is essential not only for a productive working environment but also for career growth and development.

By implementing these strategies, we can ensure that our remote team members remain productive and maintain their wellbeing, contributing to the overall success of our organization. We have found great success in increasing the amount of remote work opportunities we provide. Maintaining our company culture is a priority for us. As we continue to grow, we will continue to be an example of a company that puts its people first.