Some companies are deciding to use remote employees as opposed to in-house employees because of the cost savings and other benefits. If you’re an employer, don’t let this throw you off—remote workers can be just as effective and productive as traditional in-office workers, but it does require a little extra work from both the employer and the employee. Use the following tips to make your remote workers feel like they’re part of the team and get the most productivity out of their time on the job!
Communication is Key
In a remote work environment, communication is the most important factor. If your employees are not communicating effectively, then the project will be delayed and might never reach a resolution. It is important to know how they prefer to communicate and what kind of environment they need to get their work done. You can also set up video chat or conference calls with your team in order to talk about projects that require more in-depth discussion.
Set Clear Expectations
One of the most important things you can do when managing remote employees is to set clear expectations. If you don’t, you’ll end up with a team that’s not sure what they’re doing or why they’re doing it. You should also make sure that your remote employees know how to communicate effectively and that everyone on the team is familiar with all the necessary tools. Doing these things will ensure that your remote employees are productive, happy, and engaged in their work. Remember That They Can’t Touch You: As much as you want to hug your remote employees, remember that they cannot physically touch you. Be mindful of this if one of them comes into your office to meet in person for an informal chat, etc.
Schedule Check-Ins
Set up a recurring schedule of check-ins with your remote employees. Check-ins are a great way to maintain contact and make sure your remote employees know they’re not alone in their work. In addition, it’s an opportunity for you to offer them any help or support that might be needed.
Use Tracking Tools
Using tracking tools like collaborationroom.ai can help you stay on top of the work your remote employees are doing. They can also help you identify when projects need to be reassigned or deadlines need to be pushed back. This will save you a lot of time since it will keep all of your tasks in one location and allow you to see what’s being done. The type of tool you use will depend on the size and complexity of your business, but any type of system is better than none at all.
main photo: unsplash.com/Kaitlyn Baker
