SMEs :  Coronavirus, Remote Working, and Employee Engagement: Strategies for Success

The outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in December 2019 forced employers to consider remote working for their staff as a temporary measure. This experiment with remote working revealed the benefits of offering employees the option to work from home, even for part of the week. It also highlighted the ease of finding workarounds for obstacles related to not having all staff in the office. In this book, we explore how the essential components for strong employee engagement apply to remote workers, emphasizing the importance of good job design, wellbeing, and recognition.

To maintain high levels of engagement from remote workers, it is crucial to focus on the following activities:

Employee Onboarding

Onboarding becomes a critical time for remote workers. Existing staff should have an opportunity to get to know new remote employees quickly before they start working remotely. This can be done through practices and exercises that facilitate introductions and the formation of strong working relationships.

Technical Issues

Ensuring smooth online meetings is essential for remote workers. Utilize available technology, such as Zoom, Skype, or Teams, to provide clear and uninterrupted communication. Functional hardware and a reliable Wi-Fi connection are necessary to deliver the required results.

Measure Output

Monitoring output and performance rather than mere activity is key to success in remote working. Trust between the employer and remote worker is crucial, and the focus should be on results, not on monitoring every minute of work.

Recognition

Recognizing the efforts of remote workers is vital. Small gifts focused on their workspace can be effective, but personal contact, such as a phone call, expressing appreciation and delivering a well-done message, goes a long way.

Strong Communication

Maintaining constant communication is important for remote workers. Weekly schedules should include dedicated time for one-on-one meetings with managers and for team meetings to share progress reports.

Career Paths

Assure remote workers that their physical absence from the office does not negatively impact their career prospects. Offer equal opportunities for growth and development to all staff, regardless of their work location.

Clarify Goals

Before implementing remote working, have clear conversations about personal and company goals. Address the benefits and potential challenges, and develop plans to overcome them.

Out-of-Work Activities

Address the challenge of isolation by providing access to online chat facilities and scheduling virtual break times. Introduce online team games, such as fantasy football or virtual trading, and consider organizing meet-ups in person to foster a sense of connection.

Time and Boundary Management

Respect the designated working hours of remote workers and avoid last-minute requests that disrupt their schedule. Encourage quality downtime free from work-related distractions for a better work-life balance.

By implementing these strategies, businesses can successfully navigate the challenges of remote working and ensure high levels of employee engagement during these uncertain times.

The above content is from "Mastering Small Business Employee Engagement: 30 Quick Wins & HR Hacks from an IIP Platinum Employer" by Barry Phillips and Jayne Gallagher which is available from Amazon

https://bit.ly/3rm4CGV