Remote working is commonplace now at the hands of the COVID-19 pandemic. Changing the way we work, possibly forever. The census data show the number of US remote workers shot up by 16.6 million between 2020 and 2021. With such flexibility and technological tools, many don’t want to return to the traditional workplace. Remote roles offer advantages for employers and employees, and trends predict that 32.6 million Americans will soon work remotely.
[Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay]
Without the right environment, it is sometimes challenging to keep track of and encourage productivity. But, with a few positive facilitating methods, you can easily change that- let’s take a look.
How to Create an Encouraging Remote Work Environment
Statistics show productivity levels can rise as high as 77% in workers who stay at home, comfortable in their surroundings. Most report less stress with virtual meetings and are more consistent with their daily workload.
However, some employers understandably worry that workers might not work without a watchful eye. Ultimately, success rests on building a mutual foundation of trust to value and empower employees. Let’s discuss a few strategies to put in place to create an encouraging environment.
#1. Expectations Must Be Clear
Workers should understand their roles and, when setting expectations, be thorough. Don’t skimp on the details of tasks and duties, and make sure deadlines are reasonable but clear. If your worker doesn’t understand their responsibilities, then remote work will fail to run smoothly.
#2. Communication is Key
Regular check-ins are important, so make sure you schedule them for the day consistently. Some thrive in a remote role, while others need the social aspects to remain connected to the work environment. Formal and informal virtual meetings play a huge part in establishing a remote work space. You want workers to feel like they belong to and represent the company. They should be able to touch base with management and address any issues.
#3. Tools and Resource Supply
You can’t expect a remote worker to be productive without everything they need to get the job done. Employers should provide all technological tools and any system access required.
This also applies to adequate training on how to complete the tasks expected of them.
Positive Work Culture Tips
Positive work culture plays a huge role in creating the right conditions for a thriving remote work environment.
[Image by Franz Bachinger from Pixabay]
Hereare three methods to implement that foster positivity.
#1. Achievement Recognition
Morale plays an important part in remote work productivity. So make sure you don’t look over achievements. You can reward with public praise or incentives; acknowledgment is a good motivator.
#2. Work-Life Harmony
Boundaries are necessary, but remote work needs to be flexible. Encourage employees to take breaks; if not, they might quickly burn out. Also, suggest a dedicated workspace so that they can “leave the office” at the end of a shift.
#3. Teamwork and Collaboration
Workplaces rely on a sense of community, which can be lacking without a physical workplace. Work relationships are often built in the breakroom at lunch. Without these “water cooler” elements, isolation can set in, which negatively affects productivity levels.
Where possible, organize remote teams and collaborative projects. Virtual team-building exercises are another great solution.
How to Positively Monitor Remote Performance
Tracking productivity relies on attainable performance metrics. Employees must be supportive and encouraging. Here are a few strategies to implement to foster accountability in remote workers.
[Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay]
#1. Fair, Clear, Metrics
Metrics should align with company goals and be fair and transparent. Workers must understand what is required. Performance reviews can help you keep track of workers and make improvements.
#2. Promote Self-Motivation
With room for professional development and opportunities, workers are often more self-motivated. This fosters accountability, keeps workers engaged, and requires less external motivation.
#3. Use of Technology
There are project management platforms and software that streamline management and monitoring. If using them, try to avoid micro-managing remote workers. While tools such as time-tracking apps help monitor, they can negatively impact productivity if used as the only metric.
Don’t Forget Online Safety
Educate remote workers about safe online practices and must follow strong password policies. 2FA and encryption are necessary for remotely accessing systems and sensitive data.
Make sure they understand cyberthreats and how to recognize attack attempts. Discuss the security of VPNs in a remote working environment, whether they want to use a VPN in China or anywhere else in the world.
Conclusion
Companies can build a trust-filled environment that supports remote productivity with a positive work culture. Workers will stay self-motivated if you celebrate successes, encourage teamwork, and keep communication open. Clear expectations and reasonable deadlines fuel a healthy work-life balance, leading to accountable workers who understand and enjoy their roles.
In a remote work environment, everything boils down to trust, but with the right tools and encouragement, productivity ultimately increases.